American Players Theatre Reviews

It's a theater in open air. I really enjoyed it. There is a good walk from parking place to the actual theater. If you have trouble walking uphill, a walking stick can be very helpful.

They provide loads of bug spray, and you need it. But the environment is nice, loads of picnic tables and grills for dining ahead of time.

Saw George Bernard Shaw's "The Man of Destiny" at the Touchstone Theater. The outdoor, tree-shaded picnic area with lots of tables, several grills, food vendors, and live acoustic music was an excellent way to unwind after the workday. This was my first time seeing a performance indoors at APT and the space is much more intimate than the Up the Hill outdoor theater. The space is nicely laid out with good viewing throughout. Charles Pasternak as "Napoleon Bonaparte" and Cassia Thompson as "Strange Lady" had great chemistry and dynamism on the stage. Always an enjoyable summer outing.

I have been there many times and have always thought their productions are top notch. There isn't a bad seat in the house, the concessions and gift shops have big selections of goodies. This time I had a foot injury and took the shuttle up the hill rather than walking up it. Overall a very good experience.

This time was the indoor theater where everyone is close to the action

This is such a beautiful playhouse, and the acting is superb!

These Windy City Girls just blew in for the first time to see Born Yesterday and What an absolute Treat it was. From the outdoor venue, gorgeous set, Superb and Funny Cast and even the full Moon came out to add a special bonus to the night. <3

Great atmosphere to see a high quality play. I would recommend this place and I will go back. Picnic before the play or get something to eat and drink here.

An absolute gem of Wisconsin- must stop and see. I'm not a huge theater buff but am blown away by the performances every time I go. In a very remote and beautiful part of the state.

Talented actors, outstanding acoustics, set designs are brilliant, all that and more, under the stars in the hills of Spring Green, WI

Beautiful location with plenty of space to picnic ahead of time. The best company with regular actors I've seen anywhere.

We go at least once a year. Afraid of Shakespeare? Don't be. It's very accessible here.

If you love theater and you love the Wisconsin outdoors, you'll love APT. We've been coming here since the early 1980s and can't imagine a summer going by without seeing at least one performance.

We came to see An Ideal Husband and they nailed it. A wonderful performance in a unique space.

Hands down the best place in Wisconsin for live theater. This is not Shakespeare in the Park. Every show is acting of the high skill and talent, that just happens to be outdoors.

The venue is simply stunning! When the weather cooperates I have never seen a better location for theater. Nice gift shop and snack bar for intermission. Only negative was the parking. Parking before the show was fine but Ithink a staff member or two would help expedite the exit. That was a nightmare!

I live the intimate setting of the theater. The performance was excellent.

I have never been disappointed by a WPT performance. Get their early and bring a picnic.

Some of the most sublime theatre I have ever seen takes place at APT. The Touchstone consistently offers up gourmet theatre. Perhaps the Shakespeare is trimmed nowadays (comment from another reviewer) and they put up more playwrights. Yes. APT is no longer pure, uncut Shakespeare. I say God bless them for where they started and God bless them for the journey they're on.

Come early, bring your friends and a picnic meal to grill and eat before the play. There are free to use gas grills and plenty of picnic tables to sit at just down the hill from the theater itself. The plays themselves are very well acted.

The grilling and picnic area is a great place before the show. Excellent venue.

I brag to everyone about this fabulous Wisconsin gem. Every visit has been memorable. Keeps me coming back every year.sign up for the e newsletter- great tips and insider info

Enjoy the comedies every year! I know nothing of acting but the casting is great.

One of the best theatres in the world (not a figure of speech!).

It's a minimalistic setting but the actors are absolutely incredible! It was very fun and professional!

"As You Like It" last night was more like "As You Dislike It." First time I ever left at intermission. The APT "stars," Tracy Michelle Arnold, Brian Mani, and Marcus Truschincki were wonderful, as always. But the rest of the cast were not quite up to snuff. And the direction felt stilted and didn't create much of a sense of comedy. Touchstone character was played a little too stereotypically "gay," which felt off. This was my first disappointment at American Players Theatre. I am not scared away, however...every creative endeavor may fail once or twice. And one last thing: took a chance on the Hubbard Ave. Dinner picnic box and it was not worth it. Frankly, there are better offerings at Kwik Trip and Casey's Gas Station.

An outdoor theatre that's definitely worth the mini hike up to it. Wow.

Nestled in some rolling Wisconsin hills, APT is a great place to take friends and family of all ages. There are tons of tables around that avid goers will set up for a BYO pre-theatre picnic - tablecloth, picnic basket full of tasty finger foods to pass, and a bottle of wine or two. Be sure to get there at least an hour before show time to enjoy it all.

I went with a friend and her family who gave me some helpful tips: be prepared for bugs and cooler temps in the summer! The show didn't start until 7:30, so you can imagine it's not nearly as warm as earlier in the day. If you forget some bug spray, no worries. APT provides cans of spray on the trails up (so nice!).

After the hike up to the theatre, you'll find restrooms and concessions available, funds from which support ATP. The theatre itself is set up amphitheater style, so everyone has a decent view. We saw 'Born Yesterday': a 1920's comedy with a gorgeously done set. The actors brought the characters to life perfectly and had the audience both laughing and in suspense.

Also, outside DOES mean outside. They sometimes continue the production in the rain, so check the weather before heading there!

Come for the show, which is world class, Shakespeare inspired outdoor theater. But come early for the full experience! Bring a picnic to share with friends, or if you rather, you can bring drinks and snacks and order a dinner from the vendors who set up shop there. You will be serenaded by minstrels as you sip and snack. You will be called by chimes letting you know it's time to walk up the wooded hill path to the theater. If walking is hard for any reason, there is a shuttle or you may drop your family member off close to the theater. Bring bug spray and be informed about, and dress for, the weather. The show, ambiance, and experience is one you will long to experience again and again.

Wonderful experience. We have attended performances at both the outdoor and smaller indoor theater. Productions are second to none. Actors are all top notch.

Every show I've seen has been excellent, delightful experience.

Watched "Blood Knot" in the Touchstone. Hooray! The facility & the production were incredible.

I wished the theater was more prepared in case of rain. Just giving one small napkin to wipe out the seat is somehow not enough. Perhaps giving out disposable rain coats with APT symbolic would be a nice promotion move. I have to admit I only went two times but somehow wish for more classic performance with traditional clothes and old vibe. But this is just wishful thinking.

Beautiful setting and professional theater out in the hills. This place is a gem

Tickets are a bit on the expensive side but the show was very nice and on a beautiful day you can't beat Shakespeare in the woods. A great time!

We come here every summer, sometimes more than once a season. Simply magical. Your Wisconsin summer is lacking if you've never been!

Delightful place to picnic before great theatre under the stars!

Great place, excellent staff. Always make sure to dress for the weather and bring a snack. Free Wi-Fi and the stage is a pokestop. You can watch the play and still bool with the PoGo plus.

APT is magic! I love my time there every summer when I can escape intro the woods! Beautiful location, fabulous acting, thought-provoking and fun plays, just an overall top-notch experience.

An amazing collection of theaters. There is a large out doors one on a hill and a smaller indoor theater into the woods. I have seen numerous plays here at both of these locations and have enjoyed all of them. The talent is very good and I believe everyone here is a professional and part of the troupe as their full time job. The time and dedication put into the set design, acting, and production really shows. They have all sorts of great snacks and treats you can purchase before the show and even have grills and tables for cook outs. A quaint location in the countryside well worth the drive from larger cities nearby.

The Hill top theater was an amazing experience. Amazing cast, crew, environment, and overall experience! I love the ambience of seeing a show outside at night! Plus, the seats were comfy :)

Beautiful space, world class actors, intimate experience. Well worth the trip

I saw twelfth night here and it was amazing, 10 outa 10 would come again

Everyone needs to go here once a summer. An experience like no other

Nothing like well-done Shakespeare by the light of a nearly full moon. Bravo!

We have attended 4 plays so far, and the quality of the experience is outstanding. The ambiance of the wooded setting is spectacular. And the actors make the plays (Shakespeare and others) so understandable and gripping.

The shows are always amazing. Be aware when buying tickets if you are concerned about direct sunlight or your ability to hear everything clearly.

Can't say enough about how nice the theaters are here. Comfortable, clean, and the performances have all been excellent. Make a point of visiting every summer from the Twin Cities.

The plays here are always outstanding! I can't remember a time I've gone and not fully enjoy myself.

What a lovely surprise to sit amongst the trees. The ability to bring a picnic and refreshments and sit at a picnic table to conversate and enjoy the forest landscape creates a sense of community to mother nature.

Nice seating. Good concessions. It's cold and outdoors.

The sun was in my eyes almost the whole time, but that's to be expected from an outdoor theater. Otherwise, I loved it.

I've always loved APT, it's a great place to catch a great show with the wonderful influence of nature all around you.

A beautiful location and spectacular performers makes this a hidden gem in Wisconsin. Definitely worth a visit.

The Touchstone Theater at American Players Theater is an intimate experience and there is not a bad seat in the house. The Doll's House is relevant today and was written 140 years ago. The 3 hours didn't lag once. Bravo!

We see a Shakespeare play each year with friends & have an amazing time eating at the venue prior to the show & take everything in!

Excellent acting in an outdoor theater. Quite enjoyable!

Talent, atmosphere, great picnic lunches. Great cultural island in the country. Definitely a must do in the area.

It's not just a great local theater company. We have a friend who's a former English & Theater teacher, who says it's as good as anything he sees in Chicago. HIGHLY recommended!!!

Usually good, this time rained out in 2nd act. Bc (

Nothing equals an evening of spectacular live theatre under the canopy of the night sky, with crickets and whippoorwills as backdrop, and the moon and stars for illumination.

Top notch productions in a magical outdoor setting. Bring a picnic dinner before and enjoy the grounds. Then see some of the finest actors in the US create amazing plays. Highly recommended!

An excellent performance of "Death of a Salesman" at a spacious and comfortable outdoor theater on a beautiful evening in September. What is not to love? They are renovating one of their outdoor theaters this winter. Ticket price: $27.00, and there's no such thing as a bad seat.

Great plays, great actors, lovely outdoor setting only thing keeping me from top ranking is the bugs.

Amazeballs theatre group! Also super cool to do plays outside in the summer!