Stars from Broadway in Sonoma
share their favorite spots to visit before the show.

As Transcendence Theatre Company kicked off its 2024 season with Summertime! at the Field of Dreams last month, we polled the cast and creative team about how to make the most of a day in Sonoma. While some cast members were visiting Sonoma for the first time, we asked those who have returned year after year how to have the Best Day Ever before enjoying the Best Night Ever with Transcendence. With two more performances this summer, including Dancing in the Street (August 15-18) and The Gala (September 19-22), there is plenty of time to explore.

Cast Favorites
Start your day at the heart of Sonoma  —Sonoma Plaza. Grab a coffee and a delicious breakfast before you stroll the charming shops. Popular stops include the Sunflower Caffé, where avocado toast is a favorite, and Basque Boulangerie Café, known for its mouthwatering pastries.
One returning cast member shared, “I love going to Sonoma Plaza for food, but especially for sweets.“ Broadway stars have a soft spot for The Chocolate Cow, especially on hot summer days when ice cream is a must. Another sweet treat is found at Sweet Scoops, where artisanal ice cream flavors delight visitors.

If you’re craving Italian, Della Santina is a top pick, with a menu featuring handmade pasta, rotisserie meats, and daily fresh seafood. The historic Swiss Hotel has a charming atmosphere in which to enjoy Italian-American food. For a more eclectic, home-cooked feel, Valley Bar and Bottle offers simple, seasonal California cuisine. But if you’re staying the weekend, consider visiting for brunch, when you can try favorite dishes like French toast with apricot butter and burrata and tomato tartine.  
Many cast members, hailing from New York, can’t get enough of California’s Mexican cuisine. El Molino Central is a lunch favorite, with tamales and tacos that hit the spot. You can also find them at La Casa Restaurant and Bar, which is known for its fine Mexican food and great margaritas. Elsewhere in the plaza, Maya Restaurant celebrates the food and culture of the Mayan region of Mexico, with vibrant, spicy flavors influenced by European and Caribbean cuisines. Hands down the best chips and salsa ... ask for an agua fresca margarita using the fresh juice of the day such as blackberry, prickly pear, or watermelon.

Dinner Before the Show
Broadway in Sonoma ticket holders are also invited to bring a picnic to the Field of Dreams. Gold ticket holders can enjoy their picnic in the lounge starting at 5:30 p.m. The cast recommends grabbing a slice at Slice Shack by Mary’s or bringing takeaway from the new El Dorado Cantina, which boasts a Mexican and Latin-inspired menu curated by Chef Armando Navarro.
If picnicking is not for you, many Transcendence ticket holders choose to enjoy an early dinner before making their way to the Field of Dreams. For reservations, consider all-time cast favorite the girl & the fig, where you can enjoy food that is fresh, healthy, and bursting with flavor. Or experience the flavors of Portugal at the tapas restaurant Tasca Tasca.

After Party
After the show, you might spot some familiar faces at Steiner’s on the plaza for a pint or enjoying a nightcap. For artisan craft cocktails, you can’t beat The Beacon, “your new favorite bar.” If you’re visiting from out of town, stay at the rejuvenating Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Or, check out one of the nearby hotels that partner with Transcendence to offer ticket holders special rates.

When in Wine Country …
No visit to Sonoma is complete without indulging in some wine tasting. Favorites among the cast include Benzinger, Sebastiani, Buena Vista Winery (California’s first premium winery), Sixteen 600, St. Francis, Kunde, Viansa, and Chateau St. Jean. Transcendence partners with tour operators PushPak Motors and La Belle Vie Tours, offering ticket  holders special offers.
In addition to wine tasting on their off days, cast members also enjoy catching a film at the Sebastiani Theatre or taking a guided tour through the gardens at Cornerstone Sonoma, an ever-changing botanical wonderland.  
Whether indulging in the local cuisine, sipping on world-class wine, or simply soaking in the charm of Sonoma Plaza, every moment spent here contributes to the Best Day Ever before enjoying the Best Night Ever with Transcendence Theatre Company.

Transcendence Theatre Company’s
2024 Summer Season

August 15-18
Dancing in the Street
A sizzling summer block party featuring the chart-topping hits of recording artists such as Whitney Houston, Elton John, and Bruno Mars, and highlighting Motown’s timeless music

September 19-22
The Gala: A Sentimental Journey
A tribute to classic Broadway and more, with showtunes from such classics as West Side Story, Into the Woods, Les Misérables, A Chorus Line, Cats, and Company

transcendencetheatre.org