BWW Blog: Meggie Cansler - The Final Weekend
By: Guest Blogger: Meggie Cansler Sep. 12, 2016
It's the final weekend of Broadway Under the Stars for 2016! Let's check in with Transcendence Artist Meggie Cansler...
Wine Country Weekend was a blast! A few of our performers sang "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent! Remember that diddy? Always a classic! Apparently the entire weekend broke their record for fundraising! How cool is that? Transcendence was so happy to be apart of that record breaking event that gives entirely back to the Sonoma community! The generosity of the community members brought us all to tears. What rockstars! Thanks for having us! We always find ourselves in such beautiful surroundings to sing in!
In the news of the Transcendence family, so much has been going on! Our lovely "Red", Mrs. Courtney Carter had her baby! Little Frankie Marie Carter! Shannon O'Bryan and Nick Dalton's baby watch is finally over and they have a sweet little boy! Then there has been some wedding bliss! Our Lexy got hitched to her "Graham Cracker" recently and then we had another wedding!!! On this past day off, we attended the wedding of Nick and Desi Dromard. Our "Superhero's in Love" from last summer's artist series got hitched at the ever glorious Paradise Ridge. We are so happy for you guys! Congrats to all of the life changing events that seems to be constantly bringing us all together!
Steph Cadman, Rachel Thomas, Meggie Cansler, Amy Miller, and Lexi Fridell celebrate the wedding of the Superhero's in Love at the glorious Paradise Ridge!
Our Gala celebration and the last concert of our 2016 season is this weekend! This is the "gala of dreams" as artistic director Amy Miller and director Roy Lightner call it. For the first time in Transcendence history, our performers are playing together with the band! From guitars to fiddles to ukuleles... I have never picked up an instrument in my life! This has been a great challenge for me to try something new. That's the thing about Transcendence, you never know what they are going to ask of you or what might be your next challenge.
I can say that after five different shows this summer (if we include the Speakeasy), I have performed things I would have never guessed was in my wheel house of tricks. Pop songs in a jazz style? Oh, just wait for the Billboard Jukebox Medley with David Gordon leading "My Heart Will Go On", Eric Jackson pulling out some "Eye of the Tiger", Lizzie Klemperer and myself rocking some Paula Abdul accompanied by the tap dancing stylings of Ms. Randi Kaye. That's only one number!
We have country tunes, tap dancing, pop tunes, and musical theatre. Lexy Fridell never fails to add the comic element with her genius take on "If". Merideth Kaye Clarke (new to our Transcendence family) always sings from her core and leaves you with all of the feelings! I had the pleasure of playing opposite of Merideth when we toured in Wicked. Her talent, heart, and her genuine nature astound me every day. Her daughter is also named Ever! How often do you hear us saying "Have the best night ever!" or "Have the best life ever!" Well, it seems Merideth is a perfect fit for this company! She also sings "Human Heart" from Once on this Island, and that's what EXACTLY this gala has : HEART!
As in any cast we meet new people, greet old friends, and come together to share in such a well-lived experience. I feel lucky that Transcendence brings the right people to blend together for such an incredible energy. It's truly special. You can see it on and off stage and the electricity is always unique in the ruins of Jack London State Park.
This show is a "Firework"... it will leave you all in "awe awe awe". Sounds like a good closing number to me! See you all there! ;) #wellliveddays #bestlifeever
Meggie Cansler is a Resident Artist and Artistic Coordinator with Transcendence Theatre Company.
Transcendence Theatre Company's Broadway Under the Stars 2016 Season runs from June through September in Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, CA only 45 miles north of San Francisco in Wine Country. More information and tickets available online at BestNightEver.org or call 877-424-1414, Ext 1.
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