The inaugural production of the "Vista Summer Theatre Festival" in 1981, Oliver!

More than forty years ago, Kathy Brombacher stood on a bare concrete stage with no amenities in an undeveloped Brengle Terrace Park with officials from the City of Vista and the Vista Unified School District. There were no dressing rooms, bathrooms or even running water. Kathy proclaimed that the small stage and grassy tiers could be home to musical theatre under Vista's summer skies.

That meeting in early 1981 set in motion the development of musicals jointly produced by the City and the school district from 1981 through 1983. In 1984, the "Vista Summer Theatre Festival" was brought under the City's umbrella, and the theatre was renamed the Moonlight Amphitheatre.Today, Moonlight Stage Productions is recognized as one of San Diego County's major theatres and is critically acclaimed for its Broadway-quality musicals. The Moonlight Amphitheatre was re-constructed in 2008-2009 to create a newer, more technically capable venue. In the fall of 2014, Moonlight Stage Productions expanded their entertainment offerings to begin including concerts, family events, and cabarets. 

Under Producing Artistic Director Steven Glaudini and Managing Director Mike Bradford the Moonlight is experiencing an exciting period of audience growth and artistic vigor. Attend a musical this summer and experience Broadway's Best Under the Stars!

View Moonlight's Show History.

The Moonlight Amphitheatre today.