Transcendence Theatre: the show goes on
A few weeks ago this vast Kenwood field was hip-deep in hay. Now, mowed and transformed by hard work, high tech and lots of theater magic, it’s the site of Transcendence Theatre Company’s first summer production, The Beat Goes On.
The musical revue plays eight performances June 16 through July 2. Stepping into the role of Jack London State Park, Transcendence’s longtime outdoor home, is Belos Cavalos, a nonprofit horse ranch and therapy facility on Campagna Road.
That’s sort of a Broadway script, right? The star twists an ankle or runs off to get married (or, as in this case, gets stuck in litigation). But even without the big star, the show must go on. So the understudy, a novice, rushes in to save the day. The audience goes wild. The production is a smash.
That’s the plan now. It wasn’t just last month with the Jack London dates set, brochures printed, tickets being sold. All roads (mainly, London Ranch) were leading to the usual venue. Then one night, Amy Miller and Brad Surosky, TTC principals, got a phone call. London was a no go.
As plot twists go, that’s a Tony winner.
After the shock wore off, they got to work finding a substitute venue. There was just no way they were going to cancel, Miller said. Fourteen company employees, an artistic team, musical director and band, a tech team of 20-plus, castmembers coming from around the country, all the jobs, good will, sponsorships, ticket sales… there was just too much riding on it.
“The show had to go on,” says Miller, ever the impresario.
Up stepped Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo, founder of Belos Cavalos, offering the open field. “It’s a perfect match for our ranch’s natural setting, with a Broadway-quality show performed under the stars surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Sonoma Mountains,” she said.
“It’s a gorgeous property,” said Surosky during rehearsal, marveling at the transformation. “It will have a similar scenic open-air theater under-the-stars experience.”
Ample on-site parking will be available. The grounds will be open for the pre-show picnic at 5pm, with food trucks and wine poured from a variety of local wineries. Pre-show music and entertainment will again be a part of the experience.
On stage, The Beat Goes On celebrates the “grooviest, hippest, and most rockin’ hits from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.” Sung with a live band to fantastic choreography, the troupe of Broadway-level performers cover the likes of The Beatles and the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Donna Summer, Prince, Madonna, and more. In all, 72 tunes will be sung and sampled.
Tickets and info at Transcendencetheatre.org. 877.424.1414. The company returns to Jack London State Park for The Full Monty, July 28-August 20.
