(09/23/2015) - Capital Stage launches its 11th Season: BRAVE NEW WORLD with Anne Washburn's MR. BURNS, A POST ELECTRIC PLAY. The show runs now through October 4. BroadwayWorld has brand-new production shots below, plus click here for more!
(09/22/2015) - So that's it. We not only opened and closed our last mainstage show, The Gala Celebration, but our guest artists have all packed and left. And even though I thought I would enjoy writing about these final moments of the summer season, I didn't expect it to be so difficult.
(09/18/2015) - Good Day Broadway World and Happy....September?! I cannot believe how fast this summer of Transcendence has flown!May 20th, (when I touched down in Sonoma), feels like only a month ago, and yet it seems we've leapt up to the moon and back. This week we begin tech for our final main stage show, the Gala Celebration! Three more performances, three more nights to perform for hundreds of people and share the divine connection of Art and Nature, three shows more!! I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of the big dream! And now for a little recap of some of the latest and greatest:
(09/08/2015) - How is it late August already? Kids have already had their first day of school and we have closed our third concert, 'Rhythm of Life'! That is BANANA BOATS! (Cansler speak for nuts!) The community here in Sonoma Valley went nuts for this show. It was a variety show that surprised you with every number. One minute you had a sexy fosse style number, then a lyrical dance to 'Fields of Gold' (danced and choreographed by Amanda Lehmen and Dylan Smith and such by Leslie MacDonnel and Stephen Stubbins)...oh, and can we talk about the fact that I have always thought it was among the fields of BALI??? Barley makes so much more sense. Great job, Meggie! That got the ladies dressing room laughing... There were other stand out numbers packed with energy where there was no dancing at all. My brained was tried and tested with learning a Pointer Sisters duet called 'Cloudburst'. It has so many lyrics and we sing it at lightening speed. It was a quartet of fierce ladies and we practiced every free minute we got... to the point where if you didn't know we were rehearsing, we looked like we were talking to ourselves like crazy people. You know how people look when you don't realize they have a bluetooth in their ear?? Well, picture that and fast forward it 3x and that is what we looked like on any free moment in rehearsal to make sure we got these lyrics out of our mouths! The pay off was awesome! I felt so proud that we did. Seriously, download this song and see what I am talking about!
(09/03/2015) - A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, hits the road for a national tour. This lavish new production launches this September at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Center Theatre Group, and will then tour North America for multiple seasons, playing multi-week and week-long engagements. BroadwayWorld brings you shots of the meet and greet below!
(09/01/2015) - Wow, what a week?!?! Every day is so incredibly full and, as we like to say, EPIC, here in Sonoma. Last week was so beautiful. We had amazing shows, community outreach projects, artistic Salons, community open-mic events, family visiting, and overall THE BEST WEEK EVER!!! The week started with family in town. My folks got to experience their first Transcendence shows at Jack London State Park and were completely speechless at the end of them. They have been traveling around the world watching me perform my entire life... everywhere from summer fun in Germany to the freezing wintry temperatures of Moscow to multiple visits to Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York to dozens of cities around our beautiful country, but this was their favorite experience of them all. What makes it different? The gathering of community in one magical space to share an experience TOGETHER before and during the show and the energy that comes from a group of people leaping and singing to unbelievable heights being inspired by the same mission while living completely in their own unique purposes TOGETHER and the undeniable feeling that comes from that being shared with your heart in those ruins under that canopy of stars. Special beyond words!
(08/27/2015) - Capital Stage will launch its 11th Season: BRAVE NEW WORLD with Anne Washburn's MR. BURNS, A POST ELECTRIC PLAY. The show will run from September 2 through October 4 with a Press Opening on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 8pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(08/19/2015) - To round out its 65th season, Music Circus presents Hair, the groundbreaking musical that defined a generation and introduced rock 'n' roll to Broadway. Set against a backdrop of the Vietnam era, a group of late 1960s youth join a social revolution and 'Let the Sun Shine In.' Featuring hit songs such as 'Aquarius,' 'Let The Sun Shine In' and 'Easy To Be Hard,' Hair is an exhilarating and emotionally intense ride that Variety calls 'a rock musical that communicates viscerally with its audience. The score's vigorousness and variety are remarkable.'
(08/10/2015) - Hello magical lovers of the theatre! Oh happy day of dreaming big to you! Last week was yet another glorious well-lived and fun-filled week for us here at Transcendence!
(08/05/2015) - With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances run August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(08/03/2015) - Two mainstage shows gone. Even with weeks of fully well lived days, if I blink my eye then the summer will be completely over. This really occurred to me this past weekend when the curtain came down on our Fantastical Family Night Concert. That event not only marked the end of our second (out of four) scheduled Broadway Under the Stars concert series, but it also was the end of a very special week working with over 50 students at our Transcendence Kid's Camp. Major kudos go out to all of the performers hired on the Fantastical Family Night contract. These performers do the most work in the shortest amount of time in the season. But honestly, I think it's also the most rewarding show too.
(08/01/2015) - As one glorious concert ends, another rehearsal process has begun in full swing! Our cast of 'Fantastical Family Fun Night' has been at it rehearsing all week! This show has some goodies in it such as a fantastic tap routine to Step in Time, a groovy Jackson Five Medley, and I get to sing some Disney! Heaven! The arrangement is 'When you Wish Upon a Star' as a quartet which I think will be so beautiful under the stars in Jack London State Park. I also love the chance to have an excuse to sing to the stars and make my own wishes for things to come. When is the last time you wished on a star? In New York City, you never see any stars. Sonoma's night skies glitter nightly.
(07/30/2015) - With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances are Tuesday, August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. Check out a sneak peek at rehearsals below!
(07/22/2015) - The 65th Music Circus season continues with Peter Pan, a high-flying, magical journey to Neverland that critics call 'purely delightful...ageless...a wonderful tradition.' The cast includes Broadway veterans, Music Circus audience favorites, and talented actors making their Music Circus debut this season. Performances are July 21 through Sunday, July 26. Check out a first look below!
(07/10/2015) - Beginning July 16 and continuing through August 8, Sierra Stages presents the over-the-top Mel Brooks musical comedy 'THE PRODUCERS' at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. Winner of an unprecedented 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, 'THE PRODUCERS' has music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. The Sierra Stages production is directed by Susan Mason, with dance direction by George Jayne and musical direction by Ken Getz, who conducts the live theatre orchestra. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!
(07/10/2015) - July might have just begun, but let me tell you things are in full swing here in Sonoma, CA. Just recently at Transcendence Theatre Company we started a new show, closed the first show with a bang, actively participated in volunteering opportunities, and joined in our local 4th of July celebrations. But I'll let some of our Transcendence resident artists go into more detail about their personal favorite activities of these past well-lived days.
(07/01/2015) - As part of the National New Play Network's Rolling World Premiere, Capital Stage brings its 10th anniversary season to a close with UNCANNY VALLEY by Thomas Gibbons. UNCANNY VALLEY runs now through July 19, 2015. BroadwayWorld has brand-new production shots below!
(06/30/2015) - Wow... I don't even know how to begin to wrap this week into a tiny little package of a blog entry?!? Here at Transcendence Theatre Company, we strive always to live fully in the moment with passion and purpose in order to make every moment the Best Moment EVER! This means that every day is beyond epic and sometimes a challenge to always remain completely present in order to suck every ounce of nectar out of life.
(06/10/2015) - As part of the National New Play Network's Rolling World Premiere, Capital Stage will bring its 10th anniversary season to a close with UNCANNY VALLEY by Thomas Gibbons. Called 'Deeply absorbing,' and 'Cerebrally challenging' by The Washington Post, the production features Capital Stage veteran Michael Wiles (THE REAL THING, HEDDA GABLER, SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME, MASTER CLASS, FAT PIG) and CapStage newcomer Jessica Powell. UNCANNY VALLEY will be directed by Producing ArtisticDirector Jonathan Williams (TRIBES, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY, DYING CITY). UNCANNY VALLEY will run from June 17 through July 19, with a Press Opening on Saturday June 20, 2015.
(05/07/2015) - Catch a glimpse of the lives of three women who dream of becoming country-music divas in The Honky Tonk Angels, playing at Sierra Repertory's Fallon House Theatre this spring. Scroll down for a first look at the ladies in action!
(04/15/2015) - Catch a glimpse of the lives of three women who dream of becoming country-music divas in The Honky Tonk Angels, playing at Sierra Repertory's Fallon House Theatre in April and May. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars!
(01/15/2015) - Capital Stage continues its 10th Anniversary season with the 2014 Glickman Award Winner for Best New Play, IDEATION by San Francisco playwright Aaron Loeb. A psychological suspense thriller in which a group of corporate consultants work together on a mysterious and ethically ambiguous project, IDEATION received its world premiere at San Francisco Playhouse in 2013. CapStage's production will be the second staging of this celebrated new play. CapStage and Loeb previously collaborated in 2008 on the Sacramento premiere of his play, FIRST PERSON SHOOTER. IDEATION will run from January 21 through February 22 with a Press Opening on Saturday January 24, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
(12/18/2014) - Christopher Daniels is a character with a lot of identities in Reno circles - celebrated solo performer, yoga teacher, manager of a theatre company and ensemble improv performer. I asked a couple of questions, and he was so generous in his responses that I'm letting him do the talking.
(11/06/2014) - 'KATE' runs now through Dec 14, 2014 on Sacramento Theatre Company's Pollock Stage. A World Premiere by Rick Foster, the production stars Janis Stevens as Katharine Hepburn and is directed by Peter Sander. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Stevens onstage below!
(10/24/2014) - It's really interesting to me in any kind of Shakespeare how people speak in definites, when there's no way to know them. This one seems to be one that actors hold very near and dear to their hearts. Some people are into the superstition and it's bad luck to say the title, but to me, it's just a frickin' word. It's funny to me.
(10/19/2014) - Bottom line is, I'm better at it than I am anything else. A secondary benefit was meeting girls. But now I get paid to play music, do movies, commercials, print... all kinds of stuff. Also girls.
(10/03/2014) - THE GRAPES OF WRATH runs now through October 26, 2014 at Sacramento Theatre Company. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(09/09/2014) - It was written during World War II, but Arthur Miller's play All My Sons continues to resonate with audiences today. Running through September 21 at Sierra Repertory Theatre's East Sonora stage, the drama's themes - corruption, materialism, getting ahead at the expense of others - are still relevant, said Scott Viets, artistic director at Sierra Repertory Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(09/02/2014) - 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.
(08/30/2014) - The Light in the Piazza is a beautiful evening of theater, with a great story, lovely singing, and excellent acting. Get your tickets while you can-they're selling fast-and this show is one you'll want to see.
(08/22/2014) - 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.
(08/21/2014) - 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!
(08/20/2014) - The hilarious musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius ofJerry Herman, is the final show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are August 19 - 24. Check out a first look below!
(08/18/2014) - The hilarious musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius of Jerry Herman, is the final show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are August 19 - 24. Check out a sneak peek below!
(08/12/2014) - Sonoma, CA (August 12, 2014) The Transcendence Theatre Company will present the Broadway bound musical "Witness Uganda" in concert as the third offering in the Transcendence Artist Series. The concert will take place on August 19th at the Atwood Ranch in Sonoma Valley and will feature a special post-show discussion with the artists.
