See One of San Diego’s Oldest Playhouses Showcase ‘Hello, Dolly!’ — Under the Stars

Patio Playhouse Community Theater is producing a rendition of the classic musical “Hello, Dolly!” at the Kit Carson Park Amphitheater in Escondido — under the stars.

From July 26 to August 10, actors from the Patio Playhouse will perform “Hello, Dolly!,” a musical comedy and family favorite.

The story centers on strong-willed matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in 1890s New York City, who secretly decides to set herself up with one of her wealthy clients.

The Patio Playhouse production will feature a 14-piece orchestra with musical direction from Stephen Johnson, and choreography by local performers and choreographers Candace Carbajal and Talitha Frame. The show is directed by Patio Playhouse’s artistic manager Geoffrey A. Cox, and produced by Michael A. Flores.

While many of the Patio Playhouse shows are held at its downtown Escondido theater, “Hello, Dolly!” will be held at Kit Carson Park Amphitheater, near the intersection of Kalmia and Grand, as part of their Patio Plays in the Park shows during the summer.

“Hello, Dolly!” is the second of nine shows Patio Playhouse will be producing as part of its 2024-2025 season. The first show of the season was “Princess Whatsername,” a musical incorporating several classic fairytales, and other shows of the season include “Getting Sara Married,” “Tick, Tick… BOOM,” and “Anne of Green Gables.”

Established in 1967, Patio Playhouse is Escondido’s oldest community theater and the oldest continuously-operating theater in north San Diego County. The independent, volunteer-run nonprofit presents a full season of musicals, dramas, and comedies, as well as youth theater, which produces several shows a year, and children’s live theatre, providing opportunities and school performances.

Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8 pm. There is no performance on August 4th. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, military, and students, and $18 for attendees 16 and under. More information about the shows and where to purchase tickets can be found here.