Sonoma, Not Monterey: California's First Theater | San Jose News

California’s first commercial theater wasn’t in Monterey—it was in Sonoma, thanks to a forgotten troupe of New York soldiers who turned boredom into Broadway during the Gold Rush era. In 1847, Company C staged melodramas and comedies in a makeshift adobe theater, complete with soldiers playing female roles, drawing crowds from San Francisco. But when the Gold Rush hit, many actors deserted for gold, and the theater shuttered—leaving behind a forgotten chapter in California’s cultural history. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/34a2393494fc6770