On the evening of June 16, as the first act of Transcendence Theatre Company’s season opener, “Another Openin’ Another Show,” came to an end, I whispered to Dottie, “It gets better every year.”
We’ve been big fans of Transcendence since founders Amy Miller, Brad Surosky and Stephan Stubbins first opened at Jack London State Historic Park in 2011.
That weekend was unbelievably hot. We worried that the high temperatures would hamper our enjoyment of the show, especially because the sun doesn’t go below the rim of Sonoma Mountain until well into the first half.
No worry. When Amy and cast entered the stage and began a wonderfully arranged and choreographed rendition of “Tradition,” complete with lyrics changes for our time and place, we were captivated.
Blazing sun or raging snowstorm – it would not have mattered. Only those senses linked to pure joy remained.
Our enjoyment was enhanced by the performances of Andrew Hodge and Emilio Ramos, both talented artists from New York City who are staying with us for the run of this first show. It was sort of like watching family members – really, really talented family members.
Dottie and I, along with many local residents, have been hosting guest performers for many seasons now. Not only are Andrew and Emilio incredibly gifted dancers and singers, they are also genuinely nice and a delight to have in our home. This has been true of all of our guest artists every year.
It is not an imposition to have them; it is a privilege. We highly recommend this to other Sonomans considering becoming a host family.
The fact that so many Sonomans support Transcendence, volunteer to help, attend shows and even host artists, is a major factor in the theater’s success here.
Another important plus is that Amy, Brad, Stephen and several “regulars” of the company, including Eric Jackson, Colin Campbell McAdoo, Meggie Cansler, and Director Tony Gonzalez are now virtually full-time residents. They are part of our community as neighbors and friends.
Last season seemed to us to be the best ever, that is until we saw the first act of “Another Openin.’” Surely, we thought, the second act couldn’t possibly top the first.
Wrong. It did, so much in fact that it was hard to not give a standing ovation after each number.
We all stood and cheered for the full-cast presentation of “My Shot” from “Hamilton” led by Nikko Kimzin.
Local vintner, Squire Fridell, whose theatrical talents are only exceeded by his skill as a winemaker, wowed us as Professor Harold Hill from “The Music Man.” The classic Cole Porter all-hands tap number “Anything Goes” had us all wishing we had taken tap-dancing lessons.
The quality of the voices, dancing, and musical arrangements by Daniel Weidlein grew stronger through all of the evening’s 24 different numbers.
The choreography directed by Jim Cooney, Sierra Lai Barnett and Roy Lightner was spectacular. Director Tony Gonzalez seems to have a unique talent for casting his guest artists to show off what they do best.
To have so many wonderfully talented artists performing right here in our community every summer has become one of the highlights of the year.
See this show now before it closes and then sign up for all the rest of this season. I guarantee they will be your best nights ever.
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