Peninsula Players Theatre
4.9(188)google
4.0(29)yelp
PerformanceForestDate SpotOutdoorNight-FriendlyLocal Favorite
Overview
Peninsula Players Theatre is a summer theater located in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue1:00 – 4:00 PM
Wed1:00 – 4:00 PM
Thu1:00 – 4:00 PM
Fri1:00 – 4:00 PM
SatClosed
SunClosed
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeThis historic 'Theatre in a Garden' operates seasonally from mid-June to mid-October. Arrive at least one hour before the show (around 6:30 PM); this provides ample time to stroll through the pristine cedar forest gardens illuminated by fairy lights, sip local wine by the shoreline bonfire, watch the sunset over Green Bay, and then enter the covered, open-air pavilion.
Getting ThereHidden in a secluded lakefront forest between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek, accessible only by car. Drive along WI-42 N, look for the official highway sign for Peninsula Players Road, and turn west. Follow this winding country canopy road to the very dead-end, which opens directly into the theater's spacious, free gravel forest parking lots.
Travel Tips
- As a renowned 'Theatre in a Garden,' the seating pavilion is covered but open-air on the sides. Situated directly on the shores of Green Bay, temperatures drop sharply post-sunset even in July and August. Packing heavy jackets, blankets, and insect repellent is non-negotiable; on-site blanket rentals are highly limited.
- Parking is free on expansive lawn fields, but the single-lane entrance road (Peninsula Players Road) creates severe bottlenecks post-show. For an efficient exit, position your car near the outer perimeter grass lots closest to the main roadway exit; this saves up to 20 minutes of idling in lines.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Gates open 90 minutes before evening shows (60 minutes for matinees). Arrive early to access the shoreline gardens and Luna Bar patio, which offer premium multi-angle sunset views. Latecomers are strictly barred from entering the seating bowl once the curtain rises until the designated intermission.
Reviews
Positive
- America's oldest professional resident summer theater; the stage sits nestled in a forest by the lake, perfectly merging drama with nature.
- Quaint yet comfortable facilities; the open-air pavilion has a solid protective roof, excellent sightlines, and flat accessible pathways.
- Superb crowd management and top-tier acting. Strolling through the shoreline gardens with a pre-show sunset cocktail creates an elite vibe.
- Onsite secondary spending is reasonable with fairly priced drinks at the bar, complemented by free, organized parking in the woodlot.
Heads up
- Due to the wooded lakeside setting, summer bugs and mosquitoes are rampant; if you forget bug spray, the evening becomes restless.
- Even in summer, lakeside nights cool down rapidly; erratic breezes make the open pavilion drafty and freezing without an extra jacket.
- Tickets sell out fast and are quite expensive; without booking months ahead on their website, walk-ins are impossible. Highly seasonal.
- The location is highly hidden down winding rural woods off the main highway; driving out in pitch darkness with limited streetlights is tricky.