NorthBay Biz-26 December 2019

As the sun sets behind Sonoma Mountain, a talented group of professional singers and dancers perform on a stage set within the old winery ruins at Glen Ellen’s Jack London Historic State Park. Transcendence Theatre Company’s production of Broadway Under the Stars includes hits from legacy musicals such as Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins and Les Misérables to name a few. Similar to the writings of Jack London, their performances resonate and inspire.

Eight years ago, Transcendence shows would have been hard to imagine. To address a budget deficit during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, California listed Jack London as one of 70 state parks to close. Concerned that historic sites would be damaged if left unattended, locals hastily searched scrambled for ways to keep the park open.That opportunity presented itself when Congressman Jared Huffman, then a state assemblyman, subsequently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, allowing qualified nonprofits to manage state parks designated for closure. Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA), a nonprofit with experience in supporting three area state parks, jumped at the chance.

In a serendipitous moment, Transcendence Theatre Company (TTC) appeared on the scene wanting to save the park, too. READ MORE