David Green - Page 17

Varla Jean Merman brings her newest acclaimed show, 'Varla Jean Merman: Bad Heroine' to The Copa Room in Palm Springs for two standing room only performances in October. Jeffery Roberson aka Varla Jean Merman (who boasts that Ernest Borgnine is her father and Ethel Merman is her mother) is perhaps best known for her role in the 2003 independent film Girls will be Girls.

Dezart Performs will begin its milestone 10th Anniversary Season on November 3rd with THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE, an outrageously funny comedy that premiered Off-Broadway in 2015 and drew critical raves. The nonprofit theater company will present eight performances (November 3-12) of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE, a heartwarming gender-bending comedy which is an official Pride Week event. THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE was a New York Times Critic's Pick: A stitch-in-your-side new comedy full of sass and good spirits!

The McCallum Theatre presents Dia de los Muertos Live, featuring La Santa Cecilia, Mexrrissey, and Mariachi Flor de Toloache, on Saturday, October 28, at 8:00pm. For the first time ever, these three exciting Mexican artists are coming together to celebrate Dia de los Muertos by showcasing the diverse sounds of modern Mexico. Los Angeles-based La Santa Cecilia's unique sound blends Latin rhythms with rock and world music, earning them a Grammy for Best Latin Rock Album. Mexrrissey caringly reimagines songs by Morrissey and The Smiths in Spanish with a definitive Mexican instrumentation and voice. Grammy-nominated Mariachi Flor de Toloache is the first all-female mariachi group, whose distinct interpretation of this musical tradition most recently got them on tour with Dan Auerbach's band The Arcs.

Through the generosity of Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, the McCallum Theatre presents renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, with Kathryn Stott accompanying on piano, on Thursday, November 9, at 8:00pm. Recognized for his artistic mastery and inspirational career, cellist Yo-Yo Ma returns to the McCallum Theatre for a captivating recital with long-time collaborator Kathryn Stott, one of Britain's most versatile and imaginative pianists. Yo-Yo Ma's multi-faceted career is testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Whether performing new or familiar works from the cello repertoire, coming together with colleagues for chamber music, or exploring cultures and musical forms outside the Western classical tradition, Mr. Ma strives to find connections that stimulate the imagination.

Frank M. Young, 77, the founder of Houston's Theatre Under The Stars, Seattle's 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company, and the New York-based National Alliance for Musical Theatre, died Wednesday in Palm Springs, California. Young directed the activities of TUTS from its inception in 1968 until his retirement in 2006. For two years in a row he was named by the national Theatre Week magazine as one of the 100 most powerful people in American theatre.

Indian Wells Resort Hotel is excited to debut Broadway's Best in October, presenting an evening of enchanting entertainment with acclaimed performers Patricia Welch and Terri Olsen, along with musical director and pianist Alex Danson. Together they perform a selection of timeless Broadway show stoppers, solos and duets, while adorning fanciful costumes. The dinner and show will be held in Frank's Place at the resort in an intimate setting. The dinner service begins at 5:00 p.m. with the musical starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Palm Canyon Theatre brings to the stage the family friendly musical OLIVER from September 22 through October 1 at their iconic theatre in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Straight out of training at the Palm Canyon Theatre's Summer Kids Camp, about 30 talented young actors, as well as company members and professionals will come together to bring the English musical Oliver! to the stage in Palm Springs. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Original Score, Lionel Bart wrote the Oliver! music and lyrics based on the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist.

Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert, one of the longest-standing cultural institutions in the Coachella Valley, will host the 34th Annual Dorothy Nocita Memorial Palm Springs Vocal Competition on Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 3 6 PM. This annual free event will highlight eight emerging young opera singers as they compete for the opportunity to win more than $40,000 in prizes. The event will take place at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center, located at 31001 Rattler Road in Rancho Mirage. The event allows young singers to earn cash scholarships, community recognition of their achievements and the opportunity to advance their careers.

The McCallum Theatre presents Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & Friends in New Worlds on Saturday, October 7, at 8:00pm. Bill Murray became friends with cellist Jan Vogler in New York. Curious about each other's artistic world and interests, they decided to work together on New Worlds, a project that showcases the core of American values in literature and music. Along with Mira Wang (violin) and Vanessa Perez (piano), Bill Murray and virtuoso cellist Jan Vogler perform a program that celebrates Bill's love for classical music and the strong artistic voices that have influenced generations of artists.

Coyote StageWorks, the Coachella Valley-based award-winning Actors' Equity professional theater company, announced that its ninth season will include productions of two highly entertaining stage plays, presented at the Palm Springs Art Museum's Annenberg Theater, as well as the return of much-anticipated free Play Dates staged reading series. The Coyote StageWorks season will open with a performance of Dirty Blonde for nine performances, running February 2 11, 2018. This will be followed by the production The Cocktail Hour, running March 23 - April 1 for nine performances. The Play Dates series will run on selected Sundays from November through June at the Camelot Theater, part of the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Matthew Hydzik (West Side Story, Side Show, It Shoulda Been You, Grease), Ali Ewoldt(Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, Les Miserables) and Natalie Cortez (West Side Story, A Chorus Line) will headline a special concert version of West Side Story for five performances only,March 9-11, 2018 at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA. Produced and directed by Chad Hilligus, this exclusive McCallum Theatre production of West Side Story: IN CONCERT will feature an on-stage 40-piece orchestra under the baton of Grammy-winning conductor Richard Kaufman and an all-star cast reuniting from the Broadway and National Tour companies of this iconic musical.

GMG Productions is proud to announce the debut of 'Women!' - a weekly, half hour television show on KPSE-TV, Palm Springs, which introduces audiences to amazing, inspirational women who are making a difference with their lives. Host Bonnie Gilgallon is a broadcast veteran who spent 13 years as a news anchor/reporter on KNWZ Radio. She also created and hosted 'The Desert Scene,' an entertainment program featuring interviews with local performers and visiting celebrities.  

One of the most prolific dance artists of our time and Billboard® Dance Chart Topper Robin S known for her mega hits 'Show Me Love' and 'Luv 4 Luv' will headline Halloween Palm Springs on Arenas Road Tuesday, October 31 from 5:00-10:00p.m. Identical twin brothers - The Perry Twins notorious for spinning at festivals around-the-world (Burning Man, Ascension Fire Island, White Party Bangkok and Madrid's Infinita Pride) will also take-to-the-stage along with the ever vivacious Pepper MaShay known for her international hits 'Dive in the Pool' and 'Does Your Mother Know.'

The California Desert Chorale (CDC) is beginning its build up to its incredible 25th Season and is searching for serious, dedicated singers who are energized to be a part of this growing ensemble. The next audition will be held Monday, August 28 at 7:00p.m, St. John's Lutheran Church, 42-695 Washington St. in Palm Desert. The upcoming fall auditions will be administered and conducted by Tim Bruneau, Artistic Director. For more information and to make an audition appointment, call 206-369-2151.

Coyote StageWorks, the Coachella Valley-based award-winning Actors' Equity professional theater company, announced that it received an impressive 13 nominations for its performances of Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks and The Lady With All The Answers in the previous season. The winners for all categories will be announced at the Desert Theatre League's annual awards presentation in October.  Since it was founded, Coyote StageWorks has received 65 Desert Theatre League Awards.

A special benefit performance of the hugely popular "The Judy Show" at Michael Holmes' Purple Room will kick off an exciting 10th Anniversary season of Dezart Performs. A busy season of Dezart Performs events and provocative cutting-edge productions will begin with a one-night-only dinner show performance of "The Judy Show" at Michael Holmes' Purple Room on Sunday, September 17 at 5 p.m. for dinner, show at 7 p.m.  This show benefits Dezart Performs, a nonprofit theater company which brings many new and never-before-seen productions to the Coachella Valley. Michael Holmes' Purple Room is donating 100% of ticket sales to Dezart Performs and has arranged 100% matching funds for food and beverage for the evening. 

The Desert Theatre League announced their Desert Star Award nominations for the 2016-17 Season on August 1. Dezart Performs received 27 nominations in 18 categories including Outstanding Comedy, Outstanding Drama,Outstanding Director, Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Actress & Outstanding Sound Design, to name a few.

As a diversion from my standard, oft-critical observations of professional theatre, this column serves as less of a "review" and more of a LOVE NOTE to the Palm Canyon Theatre and the cast and creative team of their current stage production, Lin Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS, playing through Sunday. For the past twenty years The Palm Canyon Theatre has served as the Coachella Valley's leading community theatre company and, with an annual season of more than a dozen MainStage musical and dramatic productions, provided Palm Springs and neighboring communities with a consistent, quality live theatre experience.

Dezart Performs celebrates its tenth anniversary season with aFor its provocative line-up of theatrical productions designed to entertain, engage and stimulate audiences. In announcing the 2017/2018 line-up of productions, Artistic Director Michael Shaw commented, 'It's an incredibly exciting time for Dezart Performs as we announce our new season and look ahead in celebration of our 10th Anniversary. Coming off of an amazingly successful past season, we have challenged ourselves to continue providing bold, provocative, quality productions never-before seen in the Coachella Valley."

Nine-time Emmy Award-winning television producer and writer David Lee, best known for Frasier, Wings, and Cheers, has generously offered to match all gifts up to $30,000 that will be contributed to the theater company through Labor Day. Of this tremendous gift, Lee said, "Coyote StageWorks consistently has produced much of the finest live theater in the Valley, but it is a well-kept secret. I make this matching gift to support their continuing artistic excellence, to draw attention to this wonderful company, and to put the community on notice that without their financial support we could lose this precious commodity." In making this commitment, he hopes to encourage people who haven't supported Coyote StageWorks to step up and do so now while they can double the effect of their donation.