Behind the Scenes – How Transcendence Theatre Company Brings Broadway Under the Stars to Life
As director and co-conceiver of Ladies of Broadway, Eric Jackson (he/him) is bringing big dreams, bold stories, and unforgettable music to the final show of Transcendence’s 14th season. A seasoned director, choreographer, and associate artistic director at Pioneer Theatre, Eric returns to Sonoma to celebrate the power of women in theatre—and the personal journeys that shape every performance. From dance numbers that dazzle to stories that stir the soul, Ladies of Broadway is a heartfelt tribute to resilience, passion, and the magic of the stage. We caught up with Eric to talk about the inspiration behind the show, his process as a director, and the unique energy that makes Broadway Under the Stars so special.
Tell us about creating Ladies of Broadway in 2018 and reimagining it now?
When this show was first created in 2018, the title came first, and the show was built around it. I knew that if I just had a handful of women who had made it to Broadway sing at me all night long, I would be bored. So, I created a show that I would want to see. I would want to know context of the songs they were singing. I would want to hear behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes about their experiences. I’d want to get a glimpse inside who they might be and how they ended up where they did.
This season’s production of Ladies of Broadway will include a cast of mostly new faces. As a result, their stories, songs, and this production will all be brand new and unique. I’m looking forward to the challenge of taking what worked so well before and improving upon for a brand new audience.
What will the audience relate to most in the show?
Each performer, while talented with Broadway credits, has their own unique journey and perspectives. I found that the more their true selves were revealed, the tapestry of the show just became that much richer. While the subject might be specific to achieving goals within the performing industry, there is universality in the specificity. We have all had dreams that we chose to either ignore or pursue. And many of us have also had to consider what that next goal might be. So, as an audience member with Ladies of Broadway, I find that instead of just being a passive observer at another concert, I am laughing with the ladies, rooting them on, and renewing my own sense of purpose in my life.
What are some of the unique creative opportunities—and challenges—of directing in Transcendence’s open-air theater?
Well certainly, as with any outdoor theatre, you are always at the mercy of nature and her elements, including how and when the sun plays a part in the show, and the transition to if and when the moon will make an appearance. Additionally, since you cannot control the lights and sound within a finite space, then the schedule of rehearsals and technical rehearsals have to be more strategic.
But a director is certainly able to think outside of the box and include other natural elements within the show. In past Transcendence shows, we’ve released doves and brought on live animals such as parrots and miniature horses, just to name a few. And since there aren’t any physical walls, we’ve also explored the expansiveness of how and where performers can enter or sing from. Really, it’s just a new way of considering your environment as an opportunity to further your theatrical exploration.
What makes returning to Transcendence and the Sonoma community feel special to you as a director and artist?
The one thing that keeps me coming back to Transcendence and Sonoma is the community. I’ve always enjoyed how it was never an “us vs. them” model when it came to the artists and the audience. Instead, it’s familiar faces, both on and offstage, as well as new faces you can’t wait to see again.
Creatively, it’s a great opportunity to stretch myself. Nowhere else am I given the opportunity to dream up an entirely original concert experience and create original arrangements and dances to familiar and beloved songs. The sheer amount of creative and collaborative output that happens in such a short amount of time at Transcendence is actually unheard of. But when it clicks and when something really lands with an audience, there’s no better feeling. Because everything that a Transcendence audience experiences is created just for them and that very moment. It will never be experienced the same way, ever again.
I’d like to think that that audiences feel how special and unique it is to have this specifically local and communal experience together. And I hope they have a renewed sense of pride in Sonoma and this summer tradition.
What do you hope audiences walk away feeling after
Ladies of Broadway?
With Ladies of Broadway, because it is the one show at Transcendence where our performers tell their own stories onstage, by the time each of our hand-picked women bow at the end of the show, audiences will feel like they’ve just had an epic dinner party and have gotten to know each of these ladies, both as people and as performers. And if audiences leave feeling slightly inspired to pursue a dream of their own, then that’s just icing on the cake.
What’s your go-to spot when you’re in town, whether it’s for a peaceful moment or a great bite to eat?
Oh there’s too many to name – but I am always looking for new spots if you might have any suggestions!