SONORA — It was sitting in the front row watching a performance of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” when it dawned on me.

The Sierra Repertory Theatre is on par with the best San Francisco’s Theatre District can offer.

That was back in 1997.

It was perhaps my 30th visit to Sierra Rep as well as Fallon House in nearby Columbia State Park that the theatre company also operates.

I remember chills going down my spine as the actors delved into the drunken rage dialogue feet from where I sat.

The acting was all encompassing from the tone, physical presence, and the passion. So much so I was unable to see the second act. That’s because it was so real to the lady accompanying me that she couldn’t stand to watch it anymore. We left at the end of intermission.

It’s an understatement to say the quality of acting is powerful. And that goes for whether it is a full blown comedy or a musical.

The Sierra Rep staging of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” doesn’t even come close to making the top 10 of my favorite performances over the years at the fairly intimate 202-seat East Sonora Theatre.

I use it as a tape measure given I have seen Edward Albee’s play performed twice before — once in a Geary Street venue in San Francisco’s theatre district and once at a college. The Sierra Rep production was riveting to the point you almost forgot it was a play.

And as for the big screen version of the complexities of the middle-aged couple’s relationship played by Richard Burton as the history professor and Elizabeth Taylor as his boozy wife, it seemed tame in comparison.

You need to note there is a world of difference between the East Sonora and Fallon House venues.

The East Sonora theatre doesn’t have a bad spot in the 202-seat house for sight lines or for acoustics.

The same can’t be said for the Fallon House. But then again the Fallon House is a complete treat considering it is a true Gold Rush era venue in a 127-year-old theatre that’s part of an honest-to-goodness 1860s town preserved as Columbia State Historic Park. Sierra Rep carefully picks the shows produced at Fallon House to take advantage of that magic.

The “Church Lady” series of comedies, for example, shine in a setting like the Fallon House. Plus there is the added bonus of strolling through the park after the show and partaking of food and beverage in restaurants housed in 167-year-old buildings.

As for the East Sonora Theatre’s exterior appearance, don’t let the metal small industrial building exterior fool you. It’s 100 percent top notch inside with seating to match.

The experience also makes for a pleasant Saturday or Sunday drive to head up to either Sierra Rep venue, whether it is in Columbia or Sonora and then enjoying dining afterwards in downtown Sonora.

And it’s just a short drive via Highway 120/Highway 108.

Ticket prices typically range from $30 to $48 with senior, student and rush ticket discounts available.

The Sierra Rep box office is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also open two hours prior to Sunday show times at East Sonora. The Fallon House box office is open two hours prior to show times at that venue.

The East Sonora Theatre is located at 13891 Mono Way in Sonora while the Fallon House is at 11175 Washington Street in Columbia.

For tickets and information visit www.sierrarep.org or call the Box Office at 209-532-3120.