The Montford Park Players

"Brava!! A detailed review, plus nine juicy tips on how to make the most of your experience. We’ve been going here for several years, first with our young children, then they were teens and now as empty-nesters. We have never had an experience that was not delightful. Of course, the quality of the shows varied, depending on actor, director etc., but we have never seen a show that was bad. We’ve seen shows they were good, shows that were great, and shows that were excellent! Bonus that several people we know in the community are actors, directors, and writers in various shows. From my son’s high school English teacher to neighbors and colleagues and friends, it’s always fun to see friends represented on stage and behind the scenes! We also value and respect the interpretations of the shows. We’ve seen shows interpreted in very modern takes, very southern takes, etc. all delightful. Tips: 1. if the show is either opening night or closing night, I would recommend going early. Parking is very very very difficult, and if you go early, you have a better chance to park! 2. Most of the shows have wonderful actors that you can very clearly hear, but there are a few actor’s voices that are softer. I would suggest sitting central to the stage and upfront when possible. 3. Bring some cash to tip the players during halftime. I think they also accept Venmo now, so that would be fine, but there’s nothing like throwing a bunch of cash in the bucket! Remember, this is a nonprofit! 4. You can bring your own chairs and set up a picnic and bring wine and food and a blanket. (I’ve seen people literally bring in fine China and linen tablecloths). Or…. If you don’t feel like lugging your own chairs, you can pay a small fee and have some chairs reserved for you. They are Adirondack and they are very comfortable. They will have your names on them when you arrive. They are upfront in the first five or six rows. Reserve these chairs on their website. 5. Either put on bug spray beforehand, or bring a little bug spray with you. Also, bring a blanket. The Asheville mountain nights tend to cool off in the evening. 6. Hop up right away if you need to go to the bathroom right as intermission starts, or there will be a long line for the ladies room! 7. Even though you can bring your own food, check out the local vendors, they have liquor flavored ice cream, and all sorts of wonderful other local vendors! 8. Please remember, this is a live performance. While dogs are welcome, and certainly children are encouraged, I’ve seen children sit in a different row from their parents and talk loudly through the whole show. I’ve also seen dogs wander over to somebody’s area and eat out of a neighbor’s basket. Just be mindful of other folks; even though it outside and feels like things can be a bit more free-range, please do respect the fact that it is live theater. 9. Don’t forget to look up at the night sky and enjoy the lightning bugs!"

"A talented bunch of ators and crew. A wonderful purpose to make the theater accessible for all. Will definitely be back for future plays! Make sure you come at least 30-40 mins early to find good parking and seating"

"We totally enjoyed the experience of The Tempest. What a treat it was to witness this play as the Montford Park Players portrayed Shakespear in our time. Bravo!!!"

"Always a joy to visit this local gem. The actors put so much heart and soul into each performance, and inject enough humor to keep the audience laughing and cheering. The outdoor venue is beautiful, relaxing, and well-designed. Here are a few suggestions to make the most of your evening: 1) Spring for reserved lawn chair seats. 2) Arrive at least 45 minutes before showtime to find parking and get settled in. 3) Bring snacks and some extra cash for drinks and/or ice cream - and for donation buckets at intermission. 4) Apply bug spray before you get to your seat. 5) kids and well-behaved dogs are welcome... and the occasional misbehaving dog only adds to the fun, lol. 6) As of July 2023, they're still building out the stage, so if you're hard of hearing you may want to wait until it's completed (the actors spend most of their time quite far away from the audience, and the tree frogs compete quite loudly.)"

"This was our most amazing surprise during our Asheville trip! The park is in the back of a residential neighborhood and you might think you're lost, but go! We didn't expect much but were blown away by the super talented actors and lovely venue. If you find yourself in Asheville you must go see this hidden gem. If you live in the area and have not been here, you are not doing it right. I will not miss an opportunity to see another performance here when I'm anywhere near the Asheville area. Go get you some modern culture!"