Eric Jackson News

Sonoma County is known as the wine lover's dream destination. More than wine, however, this Northern California region is near to miles of gorgeous Pacific coastline, over 50 parks with hiking and cycling trails, world-class restaurants, boutique shopping, and a one-of-a-kind outdoor theatre experience that makes Transcendence Theatre Company's musical revue the 'Best Night Ever.'  Whether you go for a relaxing couple's retreat, a girls weekend getaway, or a family vacation, Sonoma has something for everyone to enjoy.

Transcendence Theatre Company, producer of the Broadway Under the Stars in Jack London State Historic Park concert series, announced the company of artists who will appear during the 2015 series of shows running tonight, June 19 through September 13. From June through September on select weekends, visitors to Sonoma County can conclude a day of wine tasting by attending Broadway Under the Stars, the main stage musical concert series presented by Transcendence Theatre Company in the open-air Winery Ruins of Jack London State Historic Park.

Hi there! I'm Eric Jackson and I'm one of the handful of performers that has had the pleasure of being a part of Transcendence Theatre in Sonoma every summer since their first concert in 2011.  My path has taken me from Rochester, Michigan to The University of Michigan and then to NYC for the past 15 years.  But now I'm on a new path.  I accepted the position of Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director here at Transcendence and just recently moved to Wine Country to start a whole new chapter of my life!  On top of that, I am Associate Directing the 1st Concert, Co-Directing the 2nd Concert, and performing in all 4!  It's going to be a busy summer,     but it will all be worth it.  And as you follow this blog, hopefully you will understand the reason why I keep coming back and why I've decided to stay.

Transcendence Theatre Company, producer of the Broadway Under the Stars in Jack London State Historic Park concert series, announced the company of artists who will appear during the 2015 series of shows running June 19 through September 13. From June through September on select weekends, visitors to Sonoma County can conclude a day of wine tasting by attending Broadway Under the Stars, the main stage musical concert series presented by Transcendence Theatre Company in the open-air Winery Ruins of Jack London State Historic Park.

The Spire Center for Performing Arts, the entertainment mecca of Plymouth, presents a eclectic season of summer entertainment at The Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. 

As usual, this past week with the Transcendence Theatre Company has been yet another vivaciously exuberant one. Once again, we connected with tremendous sold out and full of life, audiences...but our final performance of "Music of the Night" was unlike any performance I've ever been a part of. Here in Sonoma, California, we had an intense earthquake (6.2 rating) at 3:23 A.M. on August 24th (the early morning of that show).This was the first earthquake I've ever experienced and it truly shook me to the core. In fact, I've never been so deeply terrified in my twenty some years of life. Our entire house was rocking back and forth, paintings were falling off the walls, large bookshelves were tipping over and of course the power went out. The only light I could see came from the terrifying explosions of electrical boxes bursting outside my bedroom windows. I could feel my heart racing and literally thumping out of my chest. The earthquake only lasted about 45 seconds but felt like 45 hours to me. In that short amount of time, I actually saw my entire life flash before me. In tears, I sat trembling and adrenalized, clutching my dog child, Pearl and boyfriend Stephan Stubbins and I realized how we cannot take a single moment on this Earth for granted. Life is so precious.

The Transcendence Theatre Company is not only wowing audiences in Jack London State Historic Park but also has a made a commitment to work with the local community. Amy Miller, Artistic Director stated, "We commit to building our company from the fabric of our community. Through programs of service, we look to inspire both on and off stage as we maintain a profound relationship between audience and artist."

Along with the wonderful Broadway Under the Stars concerts that we have at TTC, we also had a tremendous week of other special events including our third Guest Artist concert, Inspiration Initiative Day and our final Skits Under the Stars night. All of these events happened on our days off from the Music of the Night concerts and I feel tremendously inspired by it all. Looking at my calendar this past week made me slightly nervous that I wouldn't have enough time to fit everything in but actually it was all accomplished and enjoyed at the same time. For me, this was an excellent reminder that we are all capable of taking on SO much more than our minds might normally think. There is not a single second to waste with all of life's beauty at our fingertips. That's truly how every delicious day is at TTC. Satisfyingly full.

After Ben Vereen's legendary show here at Transcendence Theatre Company, we TTC artists are continuously reflecting on the cherished wisdom and inspiration that Ben has left deeply rooted into our hearts. One moment in particular that I continue to think about is when I asked Ben if he was excited for his show and he replied with a gigantic grin and both hands in the air, 'I wake up excited! Everyday!' I also surrendered my hands into the air and said 'Me too!' And then I realized that I was standing outside a vineyard of grapes, giggling with Ben Vereen about how we must live each day to the fullest... Later he also shared with our company, 'Don't knock em' dead. They're already dead, knock em' into life!' Those epic words will stick with me forever. Basically, when I grow up, I want to be like Ben Vereen!

Another Openin, another show….or another 6 shows, rather!

'I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.' - Jack London

On August 1-3, music lovers of all ages will come together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the legendary Newport Jazz Festival, which will feature three full days of jazz on three different stages at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

As Transcendence Theatre Company prepares to open "Fantastical Family Night" of the Broadway Under the Stars concert series, I wanted to let you in on some of the fun that we've been having. Along with leading an incredibly special Broadway Kids Camp that was more inspiring than I could ever have imagined (see previous blog), I've loved every second of making magic with this uniquely amazing group of TTC artists.

Transcendence Theatre's "Fantastical Family Night" on July 25 and 26 at Jack London Historic Sate Park is a fun family evening with lots of surprises. It is the second of four separate themed Broadway Under The Stars concerts in Jack London State Historic Park this summer. The music is all familiar material that everyone knows and loves, and your family will be able to sing along and become a part of the magic.

Today, we start rehearsals for our next concert of Transcendence Theatre Company's, Broadway Under the Stars season. I'm so excited to see all of the performers that arrived last night from NYC and LA!!! I have some close friends coming out to perform in this concert and and am of course excited for the new friends I'll be meeting! This concert will be our "Fantastical Family Night." It will also include the kids from our Broadway Kids camp….which I am SO EXCITED ABOUT! Needless to say, a lot has been going on here since our closing night of our first concert, "One Singular Sensation."

And so my summer in Magic Land begins….

WBGO, the jazz source in Newark, NJ, and NPR Music invite you to an all-night New Year's Eve musical feast of jazz, Latin, classical and spirituals. Swing out the old year and ring in the new with listeners from coast to coast and around the world. Beginning December 31 at 9:00 pm and continuing until 5:00 am New Year's morning, the music will feature theDonald Harrison Quintet, Cecile McLorin Salvant with the Aaron Diehl Trio, the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Paquito D'Rivera and the Kaia String Quartet, Convergence with special guest Larry Goldings and Bobby McFerrin and the spirityouall band.

Theatre [502] continues its Small Batch Series with a staged reading of Sorrow's End by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer on October 23 at 7 p.m. at The Vault, 1031 S. 6th, following a four-day workshop process led by Theatre [502] Co-Artistic Director Amy Attaway.

Transcendence Theatre's Broadway Under The Stars in Jack London State Park 2013 season completes on August 30th and 31st with the Gala Celebration.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' and 'Flashdance' depart, 'Pageant' and 'Ruthless!' appear, two musicals celebrating black music begin September 14 at BET and the Goodman, two Gary Griffin shows get their leading ladies, plus 'Hank Williams' and much more!