The Mountain Play draws audiences from throughout the Bay Area and beyond...we even have loyal patrons who come from as far away as Europe to make the trek up Mt. Tam to the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre!

Getting Ready

Arriving early at the theatre to seek out and secure a favorite seat, and enjoy the tranquility of a morning on Mt. Tam, is a tradition cherished by thousands. Whether traveling by foot, car or our famous yellow school buses, a Mountain Play Sunday morning has a particular flavor.

Early in the morning after a cup of coffee or tea, you prepare a favorite picnic feast... sandwiches, pasta, potato salad, noshes, fresh fruit, something sweet, and plenty of chilled drinks to keep you refreshed and quench a mountain afternoon thirst.

Now, what to wear? It could be chilly in the morning, but it's almost certain that the sun will burn through the morning fog, shining hot and bright on the assemblage come afternoon. You don shorts and t-shirt, pack a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, then throw on a sweater or sweatshirt to ward off the morning chill.

Preparations behind you, the day begins in earnest as you step out the door and embark on an all day adventure of theatre and the great outdoors!

The Bus Ride

The bus ride up the mountain is where the fun begins... you arrive at the bus stop around 9:30 am to make certain you hit the mountain early enough to save your favorite seat. The 40 minute ride is always an exciting trip, meeting new friends and sharing Mountain Play stories and songs as the beautiful Marin County scenery rolls by.

When the bus drops you off at the gate, your first impression is of tall trees, sweet air, rolling hills and... a stream of playgoers with backpacks and coolers, all apparently with the same idea as you! The adrenaline rushes through your body as you imagine that special spot already occupied and for a moment you fear you should have gotten here at 8:00 AM. But then, you remember to breathe as the excitement and camaraderie of the morning take hold and you join the others in anticipation of a glorious day.

The Theatre

After a short jaunt up the narrow walk, past the food and T-shirt booths, surrounded by towering Redwoods and Douglas Fir, you are stopped short by the breathtaking spectacle that meets your eye as you stand at last, looking out over the amphitheatre and stage. For a moment you are awestruck by the scene in front of you... 4,000 stone seats in the style of a Greek Theatre, and at the center of it all, a captivating set waiting to transport you to points unknown.

Beyond the stage, the San Francisco Bay spreads before you in magical splendor and your breath catches in your throat at the sight of it. You stare until you are distracted by the fact that a group of "early birds" is sitting in your favorite section. Still, you manage to squeeze in as close as you can, staking your claim atop a warm rock with a pillow and head off into the woods for a pre-play hike.

After absorbing as much of Mt. Tam's invigorating atmosphere as you possibly can before show time, you return to the theatre and after searching the sea of people, you spot your brightly colored pillow perched on its stone seat. You carefully wind your way through the crowd and the coolers until you finally reach your "home" for the next three hours.

Drawing a deep breath, you settle into your seat and prepare to revel in the magic before you. The sound of the orchestra tuning their instruments drifts up from behind the set as musicians and actors bustle about getting into place and finally... it is one o'clock and the opening chord of the overture reverberates throughout the theater. The Mountain Play has begun!

After the Play

Time seems to melt away and before you've even noticed, it's 3:45 and the theatre has exploded with applause. The play is over but the Mountain Play experience is not... You must grapple with the decision, "to hike down the mountain with hundreds of other patrons, or wait in line for the bus?". Volunteer guides hand out trail maps that lead you along the traditional route to downtown Mill Valley and station themselves along the way so that no one is lost in the process.

The hike down is an easier one since the Mountain Play transports ice chests and other bulky items to "The Depot" where you can retrieve your gear and hop on a shuttle back to your parked car, but it is still 7 miles and will take 2 to 2 and a half hours. Your early bus ride up the mountain also entitles you to an early bus back down. After your vigorous hike in the morning, you opt to jump on a bus and call it a day.

You wait in line for half an hour, entertained the entire time by local performers. Finally, you are back on the bus, headed for home with a group of spirited if weary, playgoers who engage you in singing songs from the play all the way down the hill.