Christina Mancuso

The Transcendence Theatre Company kicked off its 2024 summer season with ‘Summertime!’ in an actual field of dreams at Fazio Field baseball park in the heart of downtown Sonoma.  Now in its (lucky) 13th year, this company has certainly transcended nearly impossible obstacles to keep its vision alive.  What started as a dream and a truck on a cross country RV road trip in 2010 has now evolved into a state-of-the-art full Broadway-style production year after glorious year, regardless of location.  Dreams have no barriers, and powerhouse couple Amy Miller (Creative Vision Director) and Brad Surosky (Executive Director) are certainly a testament to that.  Quoting Vincent van Gogh, Miller proudly exclaims, “I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”  And dream big they do.

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical came blazing in like a bolt of lightning with thunderous applause on opening night at the Ohio Theatre, just as most of our state was under severe tornado warnings.  TINA tells the remarkable story of the musical legend, and shares it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly – so be prepared for some cringe-worthy moments of raw and jolting physical, verbal and emotional abuse.  Despite that, TINA also shares her triumphant journey of resilience, redemption, freedom, and ultimate superstardom.  ritic think of TINA at Ohio?

Nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards and winning 6 in the original production in 1970, Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY was one of the first musicals to deal with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce.  Originally played by a male lead, Director Marianne Elliott (with approval from Sondheim) decided to swap genders in the second West End revival in 2018, and Bobby then became Bobbie.

The iconic JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR rises triumphantly at the Ohio Theatre as part of its reimagined 50th Anniversary tour.  Returning to its rock-album roots with a focus more on rock music than story, the concert spectacle moves at a swift 90 minute pace with no intermission, proving that Jesus’ rockstar appeal is eternal, even at 50.

The resilient Transcendence Theatre was not deterred when litigation between the California Park Rangers Association and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) threatened use of their usual performance space at Jack London State Historic Park.  After performing for over a decade in those magical ruins, Transcendence was forced to secure a new temporary home while the remaining litigation details were worked out by the park.  Thankfully, the nonprofit ranch property, Belos Cavalos, came through at the last minute to offer their 30+ acre Kenwood estate as host of Broadway Under the Stars’ eight musical performances.  After much labor-intensive work to groom the land, the space was finally transformed into an acceptable and beautiful outdoor theatre. Artistic Director Amy Miller spoke fondly of Belos Cavalos’s founder Dr. Charyln Belluzzo when she humbly proclaimed on opening night, “Theater’s about community and connection and she saved us!”

AIN'T TOO PROUD - The Life and Times of The Temptations, came rolling into the Ohio Theatre with explosive energy, incredible talent, phenomenal voices, dashing costumes, and Tony-Award winning choreography that had Columbus up on their feet. This sensational production, brilliantly directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (the same dynamite duo who also brought you JERSEY BOYS), expertly tells the story of The Temptations through the eyes of its only remaining member, Otis Williams, from the early beginnings and struggles to the present day. Featuring a brilliant mix of their smashing Motown hits, each song is cleverly woven into the storyline to create smooth and flawless transitions throughout their extraordinary journey.

A seemingly crowd-pleasing, high-energy, sensory-overloaded BEETLEJUICE was resurrected at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday night to a devoted cult fan following. While slapstick jokes, disturbing references, and visual diversions dominate much of the show, there are also moments of heart-warming tenderness, much thanks to the incredible performance of Isabella Esler who plays Lydia.

The audience was thrilled to welcome home Columbus’s own sextuple superstar, Andrew Levitt aka Nina West, who has successfully conquered the entertainment genres of TV, film, theatre, music, web series, and most recently as an author of children’s book, “The You Kind of Kind.”  His role as Edna Turnblad is just icing on the cake.

California Wine Country's award-winning Transcendence Theatre Company returned once again to the incomparable Jack London State Historic Park to celebrate its 11th season. And what better way to celebrate than through dance. Directed by acclaimed international director and choreographer Luis Salgado, 'Let's Dance' features a cast and creative team of international talent from all across the country and beyond, including Puerto Rico, Colombia and Spain. Salgado's vision was to 'bring the flavor of Latin culture to Broadway classics and present a show that is bold, high-energy, and embraced by all.' And that is exactly what he did.

Winning more than 100 international awards including three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award, WICKED has managed to cast its spell on more than 60 million people across the globe for nearly two decades, and is still going strong today. Read our critic's review.

An illustrious creative team is at the helm of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, with direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Mitchell, music and lyrics by Grammy®-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and book by the movie's legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton.  But is that enough to make this stage adaptation successful?  That depends.

Nominated for seven Tony awards in 2017 and winning Best Direction in a Musical under Christopher Ashley’s extraordinary direction, COME FROM AWAY landed in Columbus at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday night to a welcoming and lively audience.  

It was nothing short of an honor to attend ‘Bonobos to Broadway,’ a special and rare event that was held in collaboration with Tony Award-Winning Broadway Musical COME FROM AWAY and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in anticipation of the show’s Columbus debut on February 8-13, 2022.

There’s something truly extraordinary that happens when you step onto the grounds of Jack London State Historic Park.  It’s not just any park.  You are whisked away into a magical land of beauty, passion, exuberance -- and immersed in spellbinding talent that is known as the Transcendence Theatre family.  This year was special.  Celebrating over a decade of performances and surviving a global pandemic, Artistic Director Amy Miller affirms “impossibility turned into possibility” and joyously proclaims, “Cherish life and live it to the fullest!”

Love was in the air as Columbus was finally reunited for the first time with a live (albeit socially-distant-mask-wearing) symphony orchestra performance featuring an intimate Valentine's Day concert with celebrated vocalists Jessica Hendy and Scott Coulter, accompanist John Boswell, and conductor Stuart Chafetz.

With the recent pandemic sweeping our world, it was so refreshing to be whisked away by this glorious production of Lerner & Loew's MY FAIR LADY. Brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher, this version embodies everything a musical should be -- lavish costumes, exquisite sets, superb acting, effortless dancing, and intoxicating voices anchored by a classic love story with a timely twist. It's no wonder that Lincoln Center's revival was nominated for 10 Tony awards and won the Drama Desk Award for outstanding musical revival.

Arguably the greatest musical of all time, Les Miserables strikes every possible chord with its powerful message of love, rebellion, sacrifice, redemption and inspiration. A brilliant musical masterpiece oozing with a lush, rich score, Les Miserables is a timeless testament to the ultimate survival of the human spirit.

After eight seasons of presenting phonenomal musical revues in its award-winning 'Broadway Under the Stars' performances, the Transcendence Theatre seamlessly transcends into its inaugural full Broadway production of the mega-hit musical, A CHORUS LINE. A

Betty Buckley is as refined as it gets, starring in the refreshingly classic production of HELLO, DOLLY! at the Ohio Theatre. From the moment she saunters onto the stage, there is no doubt that we are among a true legend. She is humble and charming as she effortlessly embraces this iconic role with pure genius.