When the sun sets, the stars alight, and the show begins,
you’ll see why we call it the
Best Night Ever.
Transcendence Theatre Company is California Wine Country’s premiere live entertainment experience, thirteen years and counting. With original outdoor musical revues every summer, an indoor holiday show every winter, and more, our mission is to create extraordinary evenings featuring the best talents from Broadway and beyond.
Every season brings new shows. Every show hits new heights. Every person who joins us feels that singular sensation only possible from when music and movement lift us up beyond the everyday.
To experience Transcendence is to experience the extraordinary.
Our Mission
Transcendence Theatre Company’s mission is to create extraordinary experiences that inspire all to live life to the fullest.
We champion the unique, life-affirming power of live musical performance to help individuals and the community make the most of every moment and change their lives for the better. We aim to achieve this through our focus on performing arts, arts education, and community engagement. We bring this mission to life by producing world-class entertainment across Sonoma Valley. By doing this, we wish to create a future that inspires generations of audiences from around the globe and makes a profound difference in the world.
WHY “TRANSCENDENCE”?
“Transcendence” is the name of our theatre company because that is the feeling we hope you have when you see one of our shows. We define it as excelling, surpassing, or going beyond the usual limits. It’s a feeling that lies beyond the limits of ordinary experience. It is to rise above and go beyond.
Our Performers
Featured performers have appeared in Broadway productions including Hamilton, Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, Beautiful, Jersey Boys, 42nd Street, Mary Poppins and Wicked.
Our Outreach
Transcendence’s arts education and community engagement programs share the joy of theatre with youth, communities in need, and seek to make theatre more available to all in the Bay Area.
Our Values
Life is Art
We commit to creating extraordinary experiences onstage and off.
Community
We commit to inspiring our community and beyond.
Belonging
We commit to cultivating a culture of belonging, without a sense of otherness as we practice Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Unity.
Fiduciary Responsibility
We commit to wise use of all resources entrusted to us.
Our commitment to Belonging
We commit to creating a culture of belonging without a sense of otherness as we practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and unity.
We stand for Transcendence as an opportunity to unite our diverse communities and seek creative ways to make Transcendence more available to all.
Transcendence collaborates with a diverse community of artists to create extraordinary experiences that inspire all to live life to the fullest.
Our Transcendence For All Program welcomes and builds a diverse audience where every person feels valued and appreciated.
Awards
Over the past decade, Transcendence has been honored to receive over 60 awards including:
Theatre Company of the Decade- Broadway World
USA Today’s #2 Concert Venue not to be missed in the US
Champion for Children- 4Cs Sonoma County
Best Theatre Company- Press Democrat
Best Production of A Musical (A Chorus Line)- Broadway World
Arts Educator of the Decade- Broadway World
Best Live Show- Sonoma Valley Sun
Best Performing Dance Company- Northbay Bohemian
Our History
2023
Transcendence partners with Belos Cavalos & Beltane Ranch to save our season.
Our 2023 Shows:
The Beat Goes On | Broadway Under the Stars
The Full Monty | Broadway Under the Stars
2022
Transcendence For All program expands.
Transcendence performs at TEDx Sonoma County.
Our 2022 Shows:
Let’s Dance | Broadway Under the Stars
Hooray for Hollywood | Broadway Under the Stars
2021
Transcendence’s 10th Anniversary Season!
Transcendence is awarded a 10th Anniversary Certificate of Recognition from Senator Bill Dodd for enriching the arts and culture of Sonoma Valley for the past decade.
Our 2021 Shows:
My Hero | Broadway Under the Stars
Road Trip! | Broadway Under the Stars
2020
Transcendence is named “Theatre Company of the Decade” by Broadway World San Francisco
Awarded 14 Broadway World Awards.
Produced “The Best Night Ever Online” which was viewed by 110,000 people worldwide.
Our 2020 Shows:
The Best Night Ever Online | Broadway Under the Stars
2019
Produced Inaugural Musical “A Chorus Line”
Performed for Google at San Francisco City Hall
Our 2019 Shows:
1. A Chorus Line | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. Those Dancin’ Feet | Broadway Under the Stars
4. The Big Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
5. Transcendence’s Broadway Holiday Spectacular 2019 | Broadway Under the Stars
2018
Inaugural performance with the Santa Rosa Symphony at the Green Center’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Partnered with La Luz Center to provide free tickets to 100’s of families in our Latinx Community.
Our 2018 Shows:
1. Stairway to Paradise | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. Shall We Dance | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
2017
After the devastating 2017 wildfires, Transcendence sings at the “Sonoma County Day of Remembrance” and around the community to help recovery efforts
Our 2017 Shows:
1. Another Openin’ Another Show | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. Fascinating Rhythm | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
2016
Produced a “Call of the Wild” Season to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Jack London’s death.
Our 2016 Shows:
1. This Magic Moment | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. Dance the Night Away | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
5. Wine Country Speakeasy | Transcendence Experiences
6. Joy to the World
7. The Best of Broadway
2015
Produced first Holiday Show at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa
Megan Hilty headlines the Transcendence Artist Series
Our 2015 Shows:
1. Oh What a Night! | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. Rhythm of Life | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
5. Superheroes in Love | Transcendence Artist Series
6. Megan Hilty in Concert | Transcendence Artist Series
7. Off to the Cloud | Transcendence Artist Series
8. Imagine | Transcendence Artist Series
2014
Named Broadway World San Francisco’s “Theatre of the Year”
Transcendence partners with Benziger Family Winery to produce its first wine: Paint The Universe
Ben Vereen headlines the Transcendence Artist Series
Our 2014 Shows:
1. One Singular Sensation | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. The Music Of The Night | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
5. Lexy Fridell in “Brace Yourself” | Transcendence Artist Series
6. Carrie Manolakos & Morgan Kerr in Concert | Transcendence Artist Series
7. Steppin’ Out Live! With Ben Vereen | Transcendence Artist Series
8. “Witness Uganda” By Matt Gould & Griffith Matthews | Transcendence Artist Series
9. “Oh What a Beautiful Mashup!” With Leah Sprecher & Stephan Stubbins | Transcendence Artist Series
2013
Named Broadway World San Francisco’s “Best Special Theatre Event”
Transcendence launches it’s outreach program “Transcendence Connects”
Transcendence partners with the Sonoma Valley Rotary to create a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club
Sutton Foster headlines the Transcendence Artist Series
Our 2013 Shows:
1. Fly Me To The Moon | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. Dancing Through Life | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
5. Carrie Manolakos in Concert | Transcendence Artist Series
6. An Evening with Sutton Foster | Transcendence Artist Series
7. Leah Sprecher’s “Old at Heart” | Transcendence Artist Series
8. The Stephanie Cadman Trio | Transcendence Artist Series
2012
Transcendence Theatre Company produces it’s Inaugural Season at Jack London State Historic Park
2012 Sonoma Community Testimonial
Transcendence Leadership relocates to Sonoma to continue building the big dream.
Co-Executive Directors:
Stephan Stubbins & Brad Surosky
Artistic Director: Amy Miller
Our 2012 Shows:
1. Dream The Impossible Dream | Broadway Under the Stars
2. Fantastical Family Night | Broadway Under the Stars
3. What A Wonderful World | Broadway Under the Stars
4. Gala Celebration | Broadway Under the Stars
2011
California State Parks announced the closure of 75 state parks and were seeking innovative ways to keep them open.
This obstacle led Transcendence’s founders to Jack London State Historic Park where they discovered the ruins of an old winery that had the potential to be an extraordinary open-air theatre.
With $83 and knowing no one in wine country, 900 people attended Transcendence’s Broadway Under the Stars concert to help save Jack London State Historic park.
Our 2011 Show:
1. Broadway Under The Stars in Jack London State Historic State Park (one-night benefit concert) | Broadway Under the Stars
2010
Transcendence Artists embarked on a two and a half month cross country RV research trip called “Project Knowledge”. Along the way, they had enlightening conversations with leading voices in American Theatre and chose Sonoma, California as their home. The artists continued their search to find land for a theatre throughout the year.
Learn more about Project Knowledge.
2009
The Transcendence Artist Project takes place at the Gertrude Pearlman Theatre in Punta Banda, Mexico.
Transcendence Artists immersed themselves in the community by producing concerts, the musical “Working”, & community outreach programs with local orphanages.
Community Testimonials from the community whose generosity and love made Transcendence Theatre Company a reality.
Transcendence Theatre Company becomes a 501c3 non-profit organization
2008
After a series of serendipitous events, the amazing community members of Punta Banda, Mexico gave Amy & Brad The Gertrude Pearlman Theatre for free for four months to start the company.
Preparation began for a Transcendence Artist Project scheduled for Spring 2009.
2007
The idea for Transcendence Theatre Company was born during the Best Wedding Toast Ever at Amy Miller & Brad Surosky’s Wedding.
