It’s showtime in Wine Country as Transcendence Theatre Company opens its 2019 “Broadway Under the Stars” summer season with “A Chorus Line,” this June. With a cast of Broadway and touring professionals, my oldest daughter and I will be attending the outdoor production featuring the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning music at Jack London State Historic Park in Sonoma County, California. We attended a performance of “Another Openin’ Another Show” back in 2017 and it was phenomenal, dancing and singing at it’s very best. The location in the state park was pure beauty in every direction as the sun sets over the venue.
VIP tickets are the way to enjoy the experience to the fullest! You will receive access to the exclusive “VIP Bubble Lounge” during the pre-show picnic, reserved VIP seating with a seat cushion provided for the performance, VIP parking, and two complimentary glasses of wine with one commemorative Transcendence Theatre GoVino Glass.
“A Chorus Line” is directed by Amy Miller, with choreography and associate direction by Jim Cooney and musical direction by Daniel Weidlein. Evening performances are presented on weekends from June 14 to June 30, 2019.
Transcendence Theatre Company announces the cast will feature Kristin Piro (An American in Paris, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) playing the role of Cassie Ferguson; Matthew Rossoff (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Zach; Natalie Gallo (Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!) as Diana Morales; and Alicia L. Albright (Frozen, Wicked) as Val Clark. “A Chorus Line” pairs iconic and emotionally-evocative songs with the personal stories of 17 Broadway dancers baring their hearts and souls at a Broadway audition. The musical features timeless themes of love, passion and loss described through the intimate stories of a diverse group of characters as they compete for their shot on the line.
Serving as director and co-choreographer with Bob Avian, Michael Bennett ushered “A Chorus Line” to its Off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater in April of 1975 and then to its Broadway opening July 25, 1975 at the Shubert Theatre. With critical praise and record-breaking box office sales, the musical was honored with nine Tony Awards and received the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When it closed in 1990, “A Chorus Line” achieved the milestone as the longest running Broadway show in history.
Want even more Broadway, check out the schedule for the rest of the summer.
“A Chorus Line” – June 14 to June 30
“Fantastical Family Night” – July 19 and July 20
“Those Dancin’ Feet” – Aug. 9 to Aug. 25
“Gala Celebration” – Sept. 6, 7 & 8
For tickets (starting at $45) or more information call 877-424-1414 or visit BestNightEver.org
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September 29
September 19
For the Valley First Winery Tour, you and the group board a shuttle bus at the train station and are driven to Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena. During the ride along Silverado Trail you learn about the wineries along the way and talk about the terrain, climate, and grapes grown in this region. Upon arrival, the scene is set for a unique experience.
We entered the barrel cellar and were greeted by neon lights and mannequins that well shocked us at first, then we decided that this Vegas meets Victoria’s Secret meets 50 Shades of Grey display just sets this winery experience apart from any other.
The Crystal Cellar was also a sight to see. Cellar boasts stainless steel walls, a mirrored bar and a collection of historical crystal decanters from Baccarat, the world’s premier hand-crafted luxury crystal maker. For $100 ($80 for club member) you can be a winemaker-for-a-day, blend your own wine and create your own bottle label. At any time you can purchase the wine you create for gifts for family and friends, or this experience itself makes a fabulous bachelor/bachelorette party or girl’s getaway activity!
In the corridor of the senses, experience the color, smell and texture of wine beginning with the Touch Station where they can get a feel for how wine can display various textures on the palate. See the different color shades of wine displayed on the wall, and smell the distinct, complex aromas found in wine, all while enjoying a glass.
An extensive wine list is also available for purchase plus beer and cocktails if you prefer and if you bring your own wine the corkage fee is $15. Our first course of baby lettuce salad arrives and I make sure I grab the candied walnuts off my husband’s plate before he notices.
Our main courses include Roasted Beef Tenderloin and Pan Seared Breast of Chicken, both fork tender no knife needed. 
The beef is accompanied by potatoes and zucchini in a Cabernet reduction that you want to include in each and every bite. The chicken’s lemon-garlic-thyme burre blanc is a perfect tangy pairing to the carrot chickpea salad. 
The meal is topnotch as it consistently is aboard the wine train and don’t forget to make room for dessert! Usually we each get a different dessert to share, but this time we were both craving chocolate. The chocolate sin cake was smooth and fudgy just how I love my chocolate and we fell directly into a food coma after that.
Sufficiently wined and dined we concluded our trip at 2:30 in the afternoon, just in time to check into our hotel and take a nap by the pool!
All rooms are on street level and there’s plenty of parking on the property. With room keys in hand, we got back into the car to drive around the property to just outside our room door. The bright green doors give a pop of color alluded to in the lobby, we were anxious to see what was behind it.
Nothing was short on comfort, the chairs, couch, and especially the bed were soft and supportive. Doubling as sleeper, the sofa could easily accommodate a few children if this wasn’t a romantic getaway.
Recently becoming it’s own AVA within the Napa Valley, Calistoga is proud to be recognized for it’s unique terroir and over 30 wineries in the area. Even with some larger and well-known wineries, Calistoga prides itself on smaller, family-owned venues where you have a more personal experience and are treated like a member of the family. In a little over 24 hours you can visit 5 great wineries in Calistoga like we did and see how uniqueness and personality play into each location no matter what the size.
The grounds are a stunning sanctuary for a variety of fish and wildlife, the lake is surrounded by Chinese garden landscaping, weeping willows and native fauna. I could sit there for hours just taking in the beauty on the property. Current wine tastings are $25, their Montelena Estate Zinfandel was my ultimate favorite for it’s spiciness and berry flavors. A variety of experiences and tours are available with reservations, visit 
Travel by gondola to a self-guided tasting tour while admiring the views. 
Enjoy appetizers, explore the grape to glass process, admire art through the galleries, and of course enjoy the wine. My favorite here was the Sterling Vintner’s Collection Riesling, so fruit forward and refreshing on this gorgeous Napa Valley day. I love that they were also tasting a Rosenblum Bubbly Moscato Rose from a sister-vineyard, I fell in love with that one! 
For $29, your visit includes the aerial tram, self-guided tour of the lower portion of the winery, scenic views from our terraces, and a tasting of current release wines. 
Such a neat spot to enjoy some great one-off wines with unique labels and names. The 2011 Never Dream Alone is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Zinfandel, 100% delicious in my book! The owners also run T-Vine Cellars nearby, so check them out too! 
The winery and tasting room sits on Sundance Ranch, a world-class equestrian facility in Calistoga that houses owner Barry Waitte’s endurance race horses. I purchased their 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Deux Chevaux (two horses) because it’s not like any other Cab I’ve tasted.
Bring a picnic and pair a tasting, you may even get to talk it up with one of the gorgeous horses they’re boarding. 
