The Cast Photo by Ray Mabry

This week saw the opening of their first show of 2025, a revue entitled Broadway's Best Night Ever, a nod to the company's "best night ever" motto/theme. While this outing lacks the throughline of most of TTC's revues (it's mainly a selection of great songs with no true linking element), co-conceivers Amy Miller and Tony Gonzalez have assembled what may be the company's most talented cast ever.

In years past, there have occasionally been cast members who could dance, but whose singing was slightly sub-par, or singers whose steps lacked the amplitude and energy the choreography required. Not with this cast, for it seems each of the 15 performers brings tremendous verve to the choreography (by Michael Callahan), including some terrific tapping, and still manage never to hit an off note. Granted, some of the voices may be a bit thin in their upper registers, and they don't quite stick the landing on "Music of the Night," but no one is ever off pitch.

The show begins, fittingly enough, with the entire company performing "I Hope I Get It" from A Chorus Line. There is a delightful moment at the end when every cast member begins telling their back story at the exact same time, so it becomes a cacophony of confession. It's almost as if all the characters' stories from that show are jammed into the same 30-second window.

From there, the cast never lets up, presenting songs from shows that range from Anything Goes to Hair to Cabaret to Hamilton and beyond. Whether one thinks these sorts of revues can get a little cheesy, it would be hard not to be won over by the attention to detail Transcendence brings to the experience, and some powerhouse performances.

Highlights of the evening include a marvelously arranged trio of songs–"Love Changes Everything" (from Aspects of Love), "Being Alive" (from Company) and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (from Carousel–that begin as a medley, then segue into a surprisingly harmonic few bars where all three performers are singing their songs simultaneously. The company does a wonderfully droll version of "A Musical" (from Something Rotten! and a heartfelt "I Dreamed a Dream" (from Les Misérables). The cast finishes "Anything Goes" in gorgeous harmony, and performs "All That Jazz" with plenty of personality. The seven-piece orchestra, led by music director Matt Smart, is to be commended for taking on the big band classic "Sing, Sing, Sing," and making the septet sound much, much larger. But the biggest, most powerful moment may come from Kyle Kemph (a long time TTC cast member, back in the company after missing last season) absolutely nailing the vocals of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" (which was included in We Will Rock You).

The attention to detail that Transcendence brings to their productions is evident in every aspect of the evening. The costumes (by Melinda Hare) are nigh-on perfect: often plain black or white, but with individual touches for each performer, and colorful and unique as the song/mood requires. The two ASL interpreters, positioned house left, at the edge of the stage, give a show all their own with their expressive and joyful signing.

As usual, logistics are handled smoothly and professionally. Ticketing is a dream, with wrist bands standing in for tickets, so no one has to dig in their pockets for their ducats, or worry about losing a ticket. Concessions have received a big upgrade this year, with more interesting food trucks and new concessionaires offering a range of other treats. Parking is a joy, and every member of the crew puts their best face forward, showing true hospitality and working to help every guest have their "best night ever."

Broadway's Best Night Ever, a Transcendence Theatre Company production, runs through June 22, 2025 at Sonoma Field of Dreams, 151 First Street W, Sonoma CA. Tickets range from $35-175. "Gold Level" tickets include VIP parking, two glasses of wine and admission to the pre-show lounge area. For tickets and information, please visit www.TranscendenceTheatre.org.