Wine and song: Ancient Lakes Theatre Festival at Cave B begins with musical
QUINCY — Cave B Estate Winery will debut “How Can I Love You” Thursday through Sunday and July 22-25 at its outdoor amphitheater, Stage B, as the feature production of the first Ancient Lakes Theatre Festival.
The contemporary pop musical “celebrates life, love and music through the lens of healing, all told in the shadow of memory loss,” according to a release from Cave B Estate Winery. Neurosurgeon Dr. Vince Bryan wrote the piece, which is composed by Rand Bellar and directed by Eric Ankrim. The cast “includes some of the biggest stars in Seattle, who perform constantly” at the Village Theatre, The Fifth Avenue Theatre, Seattle Rep and A Contemporary Theatre.
“How Can I Love You” includes three families who experience a loved one dealing with dementia and is both humorous and heartbreaking. It’s a one-act play with a contemporary pop score, which takes people “on an odyssey through memory loss, ultimately delivering love and acceptance to these families and friends, brimming with beautiful pop songs, powerful dance and uplifting music,” according to the release.
The Ancient Lakes Theatre Festival was named for the American Viticulture Area (AVA) and was established this year to celebrate live theatre and Northwest artists, as well as “a love for the bounty of Washington,” according to the release.
Cave B Estate Winery, at 348 Silica Road NW, in Quincy, is near the Gorge Amphitheatre, which was founded by Vince and Carol Bryan, owners of Cave B. Both venues are said to have “stunning views.”
“Patrons of ‘How Can I Love You’ will experience the triumphant return of live theatre post-pandemic in one of the most magnificent settings imaginable — surrounded by vast vineyards and the flood-carved cliffs of the Columbia River, watching the sun go down, all while sipping award-winning wines from Cave B,” the release stated.
“This is a theater that people have never seen before,” said Ankrim. “Not just because the venue is different and so spectacular, but because literally the methodology and musical way we’re telling the story has never been done before. I’d encourage people to come for the beauty and splendor and the spectacle of the show, but guarantee they’ll leave with a greater sense of love and the joy and the beauty of life. They will laugh, they may cry, but they will be touched.”
Attendees can add on to their tickets with items such as picnic dinners, wine tastings and master classes from the crew and cast. RV parking is available onsite and also can be bought with a ticket. Lodging nearby includes hotels, campgrounds and other options.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating starts at 7:30 p.m. The performance begins at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.
For more information and tickets, visit https://ancientlakestheatrefest.com.
