Transcendence Theatre Company
Runs through December 9, Santa Rosa and Napa

Run, don’t walk, to pick up your phone and get tickets if you can—Transcendence Theatre Company has done it again, with a knockout production that soars with fabulous song and dance, and will lift your spirits high for the holidays. Fan favorites are joined by new faces in the ensemble, bringing their triple-threat talents from Broadway in one showstopper number after another. The challenge is trying to decide which number, which performer one loves the best—the whole show is that good. Director/choreographer Tony Gonzalez, music director and co-creator Susan Draus, and their creative team have concocted a merry, soul-stirring froth of an entertainment you don’t want to miss.

Act one includes traditional songs such as “Jingle Bells” in a modern medley alongside pop hits such as “Let It Go” (Crystal Kellogg, Erin Clemons and Shaleah Adkisson in a thrilling trio) and “All I Want for Christmas” (much-loved local Meggie Cansler Ness, with Cassie Levine and Traci Elaine Lee). There’s a beautiful rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by newcomer Erin Clemons, a wistful version of “Christmas Time” (Shaleah Adkisson), and a tale of snowflakes in “One of a Kind” sung by Will Ray to children from the audience. Transcendence has found their Fred and Ginger in Julia Freyer Gleason and Luis Figueroa, who sail through a superb dance for “The Christmas Waltz.” Fun abounds in the Peanuts scenarios, a plethora of grandmothers, and a “Swinging Yuletide.”

The show wouldn’t be complete without a moving tribute to Hanukkah (led by Cassie Levine and Stephan Stubbins) and the joyous “To Life!” Act one closes with a surprising, fresh arrangement of the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah,” combining jazz, gospel, and Broadway for an exhilarating finish. …

To continue reading about this production, see the full review at Talkin’Broadway.com:
Broadway Holiday Spectacular