Complete History of Moonlight Stage Productions
2011
Winter Season
Barefoot in the Park
I Love a Piano
Foxfire
Summer Season
Forever Plaid
Annie
Hairspray
The Marvelous Wonderettes
2010
Summer Season
Oklahoma!
Crazy for You
Miss Saigon
Winter 2009/2010
The 2009/10 winter season at the AVO Playhouse was one of the most successful in the theatre's history in terms of attendance and critical acclaim. Three productions were presented: The Foreigner, Swingtime Canteen and Ring Round the Moon. The production of Ring Round the Moon was supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and included engagement activities for students.
Summer 2009
The Moonlight Amphitheatre's 2009 Summer Season was a resounding success on numerous levels. Our new Stage House opened on June 27, 2009 with a gala featuring Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell. From July through September, the Moonlight presented a summer season that sparkled with new-found technical brilliance thanks to the state-of-the-art capabilities the new venue offers. From the curtain-raising tapping feet of 42nd Street, the dazzling flying effects in Phantom, to the spectacular finale of the journey to the Heaviside Layer in Cats, the summer season delighted the largest audiences in Moonlight's history.
Patté Awards: Outstanding Ensemble - 42nd Street
San Diego Theatre Critics' Circle Award: Resident Musical Award: 42nd Street
2008
As the Southern California Regional Musical Theatre premiere, Les Misérables became the top-grossing production in Moonlight’s history, earning over $300,000. Construction began in September on the new Stage House. The Moonlight Cultural Foundation announced the Sound & Lighting Capital Campaign to raise $675,000 for new sound and lighting equipment to outfit the stage house when completed.
Winter 2008
Driving Miss Daisy
Pump Boys and Dinettes
Moon Over Buffalo
Summer 2008
Guys and Dolls
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Les Misérables
Patté Awards: Outstanding Ensemble - Les Miserables
San Diego Theatre Critics' Circle Award: Direction of a Musical - Les Miserables - Steve Glaudini
2007
This year was a time of looking forward. Planning has started for construction of the new Moonlight Stage House, so it is a very exciting time in the history of the Moonlight. We look forward to this dream come true in June 2009.
This summer saw the unveiling of the new ticket booth at the north gate, paid for with a grant from the North San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn. Handicap parking was increased and a new dropoff cul-de-sac was installed.
Winter 2007
The Magic Fire
Route 66
You Never Can Tell
Summer 2007
Annie Get Your Gun
Me and My Girl
West Side Story
Little Shop of Horrors
Awards
Patté Awards: Outstanding Ensemble - The Magic Fire; Shiley Lifetime Achievement Award - Don & Bonnie Ward
San Diego Theatre Critics’ Circle Award: Outstanding Resident
Musical - West Side Story
2006
Winter 2006
Bedroom Farce
Hay Fever
I Do! I Do!
Summer 2006
Seussical
The Sound of Music
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Dreamgirls
Awards
Patté Awards: Outstanding Ensemble - Seussical; Shiley Lifetime Achievement Award - Kathy Brombacher
San Diego Theatre Critics’ Circle Award: Outstanding Choreography -
Kirby Ward, Thoroughly Modern Millie
2005
The 25th Anniversary Season is dedicated to the “first lady” of the Moonlight - Kathy Brombacher - whose artistic vision, abundant talent, and boundless energy have taken Moonlight audiences through a grand buffet of musical and other diverse theatre. The Moonlight celebrates with a new ADA accessible grand entrance. The walkway features decorative pavers, generously donated by Ray Raub of Modern Builders Supply, and three decorative concrete medallions with lighted trellis arches paid for by the Moonlight Cultural Foundation. Construction of the walkway was paid for with State Park Bond funds.
Winter 2005
On Golden Pond
The Most Happy Fella
Room Service
Summer 2005
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
The Pirates of Penazance
The Will Rogers Follies
Big River
Awards
San Diego Theatre Critics’ Circle Awards: Musical Revival - Big River; Direction of a Musical - Kirby Ward, Big River; Male Lead, Musical - Peter Musante, Big River; Featured Performance, Musical - Randall Dodge, Beauty and the Beast; Theatrical Trailblazer - Kathy Brombacher
Patté Awards: Costume Design - Jeanne Reith, Arms and the Man; Performance - Randall Dodge, Arms and the Man
2004
In 2004, the Vista Foundation changed its name to Moonlight Cultural Foundation, to better represent the cultural arts focus of the organization. An accessible walkway for patrons with disability was constructed on the south side of the amphitheatre. The children's show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was contracted to Premiere for Kids and Encore Youth Theatre.
Summer 2004
My One and Only
Aint' Misbehavin'
Kiss Me, Kate
Cabaret
Winter 2004
The Goodbye Girl
Radio Gals
Arms and the Man
Awards
A National Endowment for the Arts grant was received for the production of Arms and the Man
2003
Summer 2003
Youth: Annie
Smokey Joe's Café
Singin' in the Rain
Children of Eden
Sweet Charity
Winter 2003
The Game of Love and Chance
Brighton Beach Memoirs
Lucky Stiff
Awards
Patté Awards: Outstanding Scenic Design - Mike Buckley, The Game of Love and Chance;
Outstanding Production - Children of Eden;
Outstanding Direction - Don and Bonnie Ward, Singin' in the Rain
Robby Awards:
Musical Production and Director of a Musical - Children of Eden; Supporting Actress in a Musical - MaryJo Mecca, Sweet Charity
2002
Summer 2002
Youth: Bye, Bye Birdie
Hello, Dolly!
Dames at Sea
Ragtime
Footloose
Winter 2002
The Boys Next Door
The Spitfire Grill
The Good Doctor
Awards
San Diego Theatre Critic Circle:
Outstanding Resident Musical - Ragtime;
Outstanding Performance in a Musical - Eric Anderson, Ragtime
Patté Awards: Outstanding Production - Ragtime
Billie Awards: Outstanding Production, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actress - Ragtime
Youth Artist of the Year, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Ensemble - Ragtime
Robby Award: Musical Direction - Elan McMahan, Ragtime
2001
Summer 2001
Youth: Li'l Abner
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Crazy for You
Evita
Into the Woods
Winter 2001
The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Forever Plaid
Scapino!
Awards
Billie Award: Outstanding Choreography - Crazy for You;
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a musical (2 awards), Into the Woods
2000
The Moonlight celebrated its 20th Anniversary Season, opening with a Jubilee Ball on the stage amid scenery for Grace-Ann Etcheberria-Jacobs' 15th and final Youth Theatre production. The Summer Season was the most successful ever with audiences numbering 53,310 and ticket sales of $711,905.71. The Vista City Council designated $700,000 in State Park Grant funds to be set aside for a future stage-house. Maureen Macdonald hired as Executive Director of The Vista Foundation. The Broadway at the Moonlight Gala was a 1940s Big Band event, Swingtime G.I. Jive. 1200 people attended and the event raised $48,000.
Summer 2000
Youth: Peter Pan
The Music Man
How to Succeed in Business Without Trying
The King & I
Grease
Winter 2000
Sylvia
Romance/Romance
See How They Run
1999
More stadium seats were added to increase the number of permanent seating to 889. The summer season saw the return of Equity actors to the Moonlight stage, with two Equity contracts per show. Concert Series, Moonlight Swings!, was successful for second year in a row, playing on three selected Monday nights.
Summer 1999
Youth: Cinderella
Gypsy
Carousel
Anything Goes
Chess
Winter 1999
Stepping Out
Pump Boys and Dinettes
Born Yesterday
Awards
Patté Award:
Outstanding Performance - Erin K. Granahan, Born Yesterday;
Outstanding Lighting Design - Ron Vodicka, Chess
1998
Ray Raub of Modern Builders Supply once again coordinated a volunteer corps of local contracting businesses to build an extension to the Moonlight Amphitheatre off-stage right floor to accommodate quicker set changes and providing more space backstage. South Pacific became the highest revenue generating show Moonlight ever produced. Big Band and Jazz Concert Series was successfully presented on three selected Monday nights during the summer.
Summer 1998
Youth: The Wizard of Oz
Damn Yankees
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
South Pacific
Man of La Mancha
Winter 1998
Lend me a Tenor
The Fantasticks
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
Awards
Robby Award: Best Musical - The Mystery of Edwin Drood
1997
Ray Raub of Modern Builders Supply coordinated a volunteer corps of ten local contracting businesses to install a concrete backstage floor. Broadway at the Moonlight features "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber," and generates net proceeds of over $40,000 for The Vista Foundation. Over 200 hundred permanent seats added to the amphitheatre to raise the reserved seat number to 776. Winter Season attendance exceeds 10,000.
Summer 1997
Youth: Annie Warbucks
Barnum
My Fair Lady
42nd Street
The Secret Garden
Winter 1997
Jerry's Girls
Noises Off!
Lost in Yonkers
Awards
Robby Award: Outstanding Ensemble - Noises Off!
Patté Award: Outstanding Ensemble - Noises Off!
1996
Steel truss gave Moonlight the flexibility to have actors fly and perform stage illusions. "Broadway at the Moonlight...Goes Country" raised $45,000 for the Moonlight under guidance of Janice Ephron, committee chair. In May, Moonlight co-produced Nunsense at the Avo with Limon/Carr Productions, to sold-out houses. The Moonlight worked closely with The Vista Foundation's Latino Task Force to present La Pastorela Navidena at the Avo.
Summer 1996
Youth: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Will Rogers Follies
Peter Pan
Oklahoma!
Phantom
Winter 1996
She Loves Me
A Grand Night for Singing
The Foreigner
1995
Avo Playhouse renovations are completed and the Grand Opening takes place in September with a revue featuring two Broadway stars, called "Direct From Broadway." Friends of the Avo Playhouse is formed. West Side Story sets the record for attendance for the run of a production at 15,265. Stage features new steel truss. Jim Strait named new Managing Director to replace Marie Hemenez who moved on to the Disney Corporation.
Summer 1995
Youth: Oliver!
Guys and Dolls
Big River
West Side Story
A Little Night Music
Winter 1995
The 1940s Radio Hour
Steel Magnolias
1994
Summer attendance sets a new record of over 50,000. City of Vista announces plans to renovate the Avo Theatre to create the Avo Playhouse, which will house future Winter Seasons for the Moonlight Amphitheatre.
Summer 1994
Youth: The Music Man
Me and My Girl
Fiddler on the Roof
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Sweeney Todd
1993
The Capital Campaign announces its fund-raising event for the summer, "Broadway at the Moonlight," a one-night only extravaganza featuring past and current stars of the Moonlight Amphitheatre in a musical revue of current Broadway hits. Featured is Eric Kunze, star of Broadway's Miss Saigon and Les Misérables. Kunze received his initial theatre experience and training at the Moonlight. Other special events include Concerts by Moonlight, featuring headlining comedy and musical artists. Eric Davy and Associates complete the Amphitheatre Stage House master plan. Summer attendance reaches 43,000.
Summer 1993
Youth: Annie
Singin' in the Rain
1776
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Jesus Christ Superstar
1992
Moonlight begins to work with serious promoters in the booking of outside entertainment at the Amphitheatre. In April, Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles, was hosted, as well as a comedy concert by Paul Rodriguez produced by Comedy Night. Up With People also performed at the Amphitheatre. The Capital Campaign holds its first major event: "Hollywood at the Moonlight," a two-day event featuring a musical revue by Hollywood celebrities and a celebrity tennis tournament. The Moonlight also hosts its first performance to benefit local AIDS organizations. Capital Campaign launches Seat Sales program with the addition of 208 new reserved seats. Moonlight Angels Auxiliary is founded. The Moonlight organizes its education programs under the Moonlight Youth Conservatory, and workshops in acting, voice and dance are held, as well as production workshops for young people. City hired Eric Davy and Associates to design Amphitheatre Stage House as the primary goal of the Capital Campaign.
Summer 1992
Youth: The Wiz
Mame
The Pirates of Penzance
The Sound of Music
A Chorus Line
Winter 1992
Little Shop of Horrors
Charlotte's Web
Dangerous Liaisons
You Can't Take it with You
1991
Indoor Winter Season moved to the Brengle Terrace Park Recreation Center. Production of Joseph was nominated for Best Musical by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. Marie Hemenez named Managing Director. "Stage 2 Stage" Capital Campaign is launched under the leadership of the Vista Foundation.
Summer 1991
Youth: Hans Christian Andersen Brigadoon
Anything Goes
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Evita
Winter 1991
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
A Man for all Seasons
1990
First indoor Winter Season inaugurated at Rancho Buena Vista High School's Performing Arts Center. Summer season attendance topped 41,000.
Summer 1990
Youth: Cinderella
42nd Street
Grease
Annie Get Your Gun
Into the Woods
Winter 1990
Taming of the Shrew
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
1989
More improvements to the Amphitheatre include new landscaping, stage improvements, new stairs, and an additional 295 fixed seats. Kathy Brombacher is hired on a full-time basis as Artistic Director. Marie Hemenez hired as General Manager.
Summer 1989
Youth: Li'l Abner
Hello, Dolly!
Damn Yankees
Camelot
1988
A "Drama Support Facility" is constructed near the Amphitheatre's stage. This building houses the concessionaire's kitchen, costume/properties storage, the "video suite" of the City of Vista's Video Services Department, a meeting/rehearsal room, production offices, and most importantly restrooms. Attendance in 1988 doubles from that of 1985 to reach 22,500.
Summer 1988
Youth: The Wizard of Oz
Gypsy
Bye, Bye Birdie
The King and I
1987
Attendance grows to over 16,000.
Summer 1987
Youth: Tom Sawyer
Annie
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
West Side Story
1986
The Amphitheatre's stage is expanded and a sound and lighting control booth is constructed. Increased parking with better lighting. A third production is added to the summer's line-up, and the Moonlight's Youth Theatre program was founded.
Summer 1986
Youth: Cinderella
My Fair Lady
Dames at Sea
Carousel
1985
Attendance grews to 10,000 for the season. First year to show a substantial profit.
Summer 1985
Guys and Dolls
The Sound of Music
1984
A pivotal year in the development of the Moonlight, the City of Vista officially assumes operation of the theatre festival. The facility is re-named from Vista Summer Theatre Festival to the Moonlight Amphitheatre. 77 reserved seats are installed. Southwest Bank becomes the Moonlight's first corporate sponsor. "The Moonlight Players," a touring performance group to promote the Moonlight, is formed. Jazz and band concerts are held in the summer.
Summer 1984
Fiddler on the Roof
1983
Summer 1983
The Music Man
South Pacific
1982
Technical improvements in sound and lighting enhanced the appeal of the shows. Additional parking was added.
Summer 1982
Oklahoma!
Camelot
1981
Vista Summer Theatre Festival founded by Jack Price, Jim Porter, Cathy Brendel, John Downey, and Kathy Brombacher as a joint program between the City of Vista and the Vista Unified School District. First-year budget: $13,000. Attendance: 1500.
Summer 1981
Oliver!
The Boyfriend
1979
Bluegrass concerts held in Amphitheatre.
1976
Amphitheatre dedicated on July 4.
1975
Non-profit Vista Foundation formed under the leadership of Frank Tiesen to complete a bicentennial project: the construction of an amphitheatre, consisting only of a small stage and grass seating tiers. The amphitheatre would be built in Brengle Terrace Park as a gift to the citizens of Vista.
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