Dinner Theater at Lavender Hill Farm: The Young Americans Live in a Century-Old Barn

On a summer evening at Lavender Hill Farm, just outside Boyne City, Michigan, the century-old barn becomes a stage for music, food, and easy mischief. An Evening with The Young Americans is a four-hour dinner-theater event that pairs a chef-curated three-course meal by Little Bay Gourmet with the internationally known ensemble The Young Americans. Guests gather on the Copper Room patio, sip a welcome beverage, and watch lavender rows and farm buildings fold into dusk before moving inside for the show. The experience is straightforward and theatrical: check in at the Ambassador Stand between the red barn and white farmhouse, mingle during a preshow on the patio, then take assigned seating in the barn for a meal timed with performances. Menu choices range from Zatar Salmon to Creamy Tuscan Chicken and a Seasonal Vegetable Risotto, with children's options and a limited wine list available by preorder from Aurora Cellars. Parking is in the Drying Shed Parking Area and the Farmhouse, Copper Room, Boutique and restrooms are ADA compliant; grounds are not. What makes this event distinct in northern Michigan is the collision of rural place and professional theater. The barn itself—documented as a century old—holds acoustics and sightlines that feel intimate rather than staged. Lavender Hill Farm leverages the surrounding lavender fields and hardwoods as a simple scenic backdrop; pollinators and migrating songbirds are common in season, which keeps the evening rooted in the local ecology rather than a rental hall illusion. This is a social outing as much as a performance. Audience interaction is built into the program, and the post-show meet-and-greet makes the performers accessible in a way a normal theater rarely allows. It’s ideal for date nights, small groups, and visitors who want an elevated local meal with live entertainment without driving into larger towns. Practical notes: arrive 10–15 minutes early for parking and check-in, bring a government ID if you plan to pre-order alcohol, and reserve early—seating is limited and Thursday reservations close early when sold out. For photographers, the Copper Room patio at golden hour and the barn interior during the show offer contrasting moods. Above all, treat the lavender fields and farm buildings with respect—this is working land and a community venue. Ticketing follows a clear policy: Adults are $130 per person and Children (12 & under) $90, plus tax and fees; gratuity is not included. Tickets are sold per person, tables seat up to eight guests and parties of nine or more may be split across tables. Thursday reservations close at 10 a.m. the Sunday before an event or when sold out. To pre-order bottle service or Aurora Cellars selections, email [email protected] or call (231) 582-3784 at least 24 hours before the show.