Fifteen years ago, a pair of Broadway performers had a vision for bringing the energy, fun and community of New York City’s bright lights to Northern California’s wine country. Amy Miller and her husband Brad Surosky spent the Great Recession traveling the country in an RV, talking to theater groups about how they built their audiences and emerged with a vision for an outdoor experience that was integrated with Sonoma County’s people and the landscape. “It really was serendipitous how we found this special place,” said Miller, now artistic director of Transcendence Theater Company with Surosky, who serves as executive director of the nonprofit whose mission is to “create extraordinary experiences that inspire all to cherish life and live it to the fullest.”
A full season of productions is staged each summer and fall in Jack London State Historic Park, the site where the legendary author built a sustainable ranch in his personal Valley of the Moon, Glen Ellen. With rolling vineyards in the background and framed by the outline of a foundation of a winery and the stone archway that once led to the structure, off-season Broadway performers sing and dance their way through reimagined show tunes. This year’s offerings include a decade-themed “The Beat Goes On” medley and a performance of “The Full Monty.” Miller tries to raise the bar every year on the product being delivered. It is a combination of performance, show and community gathering.
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“It is all about connection with the performers, each other and nature,” said Miller. “We break down the fourth wall; it is very intimate,” she said. Performers mingle with the audience at nightly pre-show picnics, taking tickets, pouring wine and chatting. Because the sun is often still up during the first act, unlike in a dark theater, everyone can see each other and audiences often stand and clap and sing along. Only in the second act do the moon and stars come out and the drama kicks up.
A combination of classic elements that make people feel comfortable and surprises such as fresh arrangements of favorite tunes or unexpected delivery by putting the singer on a horse or in a nontraditional costume elevates the focus. “I know the crowd after all these years. I’m all about having the best night ever by giving people the music they want that is fun and heartfelt,” Miller said.
The performance company is intertwined with its adopted community. Transcendence donates tickets to underserved communities, stages a kid’s camp and participates in a mentoring alliance. Volunteers ensure that everyone feels they belong, local hosts offer housing for visiting performers and companies bring incentive and corporate groups to be part of the action. Because the unique venue is a manageable drive from San Francisco, some groups from conferences in the Bay Area bring their VIPs to the experience.“Musical theater unites people,” Miller said. “When you are enjoying music together, your heartbeats synch. That is true team building when everyone leaves inspired.”
