Ben Reece

History credits the first modern musical production to the year 1866 and a little-known work called “The Black Crook” that premiered in New York on September 12 of that year.  It was credited as the first play that added dance and original music to help tell the story.  But after seeing Palm Canyon Theatre’s newest production of “Something Rotten”, maybe the historians have it wrong.

In this mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of the master playwright known as “The Bard.” When a soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves acting, singing, AND dancing, the brothers set out to write the world’s first musical, and Something Rotten! unfolds.

It seems like only a few weeks ago that Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) began their 26th Season with the magnificent Titanic.  Now that season is coming to an end with a delightful little jewel box called She Loves Me. Canyon Theatre?

What did our critic think of PALM SPRINGS GETAWAY at Palm Canyon Theatre? Palm Canyon Theatre has revived a new, streamlined version of Palm Springs Getaway, their original 'musical romp' which they premiered last season. I'll start right out by confessing that I was in the original production so I know it well, though I never actually 'saw' it. I'm delighted to report that playwright Cara Van Dijk, aided by Eric Stein-Steele and Se Layne, has kept the best of the first production and replaced a few of the previously weak moments with some very strong scenes. The result is a tuneful, educational, nostalgic and totally enjoyable couple of hours.

Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) deserves kudos for the fine singing, acting, dancing, and technical achievements in its production of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS - the audience was highly enthusiastic the night I attended, for good reason. The show will play through Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Palm Canyon Theatre’s musical productions, with their terrific costuming, top-quality dance numbers, live music, and professional singing, usually dazzle audiences. MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, now playing at PCT, is no exception. The production is thoroughly professional in every way. Theatregoers who enjoy Monty Python’s zany humor will have a great deal of fun.

Palm Canyon Theatre's (PCT's) PALM SPRINGS GETAWAY is the world premiere of a handclapping, foot-stomping revue that describes the history of Palm Springs, California in a funny, mostly wholesome way. I enjoyed myself immensely at this high-quality getaway from events in the world. Judging from other audience members, so did they.

Just in time for Modernism Week and our peak tourist season, Palm Canyon Theatre presents a world premiere preview of an original musical, Palm Springs Getaway.  Described as “A nostalgic romp through Palm Springs,” vignettes of the contributions of such settlers as John McCallum, Nellie Coffman and Miss Cornelia, the mid-century design luminaries, and of course a parade of Hollywood celebrities.  You’ll spot Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, Sonny and Cher, Keely Smith, Shirley Temple, Marilyn Monroe, and even The King, Elvis himself!

I give the Desert Rose Playhouse kudos for its fantastic production of Richard O'Brien's bloody cult classic, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Buy tickets before the run sells out, as it deserves to do.

The Desert Rose Playhouse production of THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL is currently running in the company's new location in Palm Springs. The show features fabulous performances and design, and terrific direction by Robbie Wayne. Combined with David Nehls' clever lyrics and tuneful music (reminiscent of GREASE), audiences are sure to have a good time.

Today Spacette are sharing their new music video for 'Sweat' and BTRtoday has the premiere. Spacette will be self-releasing their debut Spacette EP next Friday, December 11, 2020.

Today, Spacette have shared their colorful LA cityscape music video for 'City Of Gold' and have announced their debut EP via Big Takeover. Check out the premiere here. Spacette will be self-releasing their debut Spacette EP on December 11, 2020.

Just in time for Pride, Palm Canyon Theatre has rolled out a new production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and she is firing on all cylinders! PCT did a knockout production of the show a few years ago and it was so good, I was concerned about the new staging, many new actors, new set, etc. I had no need for worry. The new production is probably even better than the first!

PAGEANT, currently playing at Desert Rose, is a drag show, with beautiful "women" competing for the title of Miss Glamouresse, corny jokes, and a smarmy, Nick the lounge singer type emcee. Beyond that, there is nothing except nonstop, goofy hilarity.

In producing 12 shows per season, sometimes Palm Canyon Theatre's productions become a blur, but their current offering, Grand Hotel, is one that will stay in viewers' memories for a long time. It is one of their most beautiful productions, combining top talent, design, direction, and choreography with a terrific show and score. It finishes its short run this weekend, and I suggest you run, not walk, to pick up tickets.

Welcome to the mysterious Grand Hotel, an elegant hotel located in Berlin in the 1920s. This lively musical tells the story of a weekend at the hotel and the eccentric characters that are staying there. From the skeptical doctor to the fatally ill bookkeeper to the fading prima ballerina, there is a character for everyone in this hit musical. The Palm Canyon Theatre presents the hit Broadway Musical GRAND HOTEL for two weekends beginning April 5.

Desert Rose Playhouse's production of THE VIEW UPSTAIRS is a must-see -- 100 minutes of an emotional roller coaster with tears and laughs and great acting, singing, and dancing.

Guys and Dolls is possibly the most frequently produced musical in the world. Since its Broadway debut in 1950, it has had numerous revivals on Broadway and the West End, and it has been tackled by just about every high school, college, and community theatre in the world. Fortunately, its popularity is justified, and it might become just a bit more popular in Palm Springs because of the production currently playing at the Palm Canyon Theatre. It has filled the house and been greeted with a standing ovation almost every performance in its first two weeks.

The Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) will become a pantomime of hustle and bustle as the regional repertory company presents Guys and Dolls January 18-February 10. Set in New York City in the 1940s, Guys and Dolls is about some big city gamblers and the women who love them. The Tony award winner for Best Musical tells the overlapping stories of the lovable rapscallion, Nathan Detroit (Paul Grant), engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide (Se Layne), a headliner at the Hot Box Club and that of high-roller Sky Masterson (Nicholas Sloan), who falls in love with mission worker Sarah Brown (Jamie Leigh Walker).

The Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) will become a pantomime of hustle and bustle as the regional repertory company presents Guys and Dolls January 18-February 10. Set in New York City in the 1940s, Guys and Dolls is about some big city gamblers and the women who love them. The Tony award winner for Best Musical tells the overlapping stories of the lovable rapscallion, Nathan Detroit (Paul Grant), engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide (Se Layne), a headliner at the Hot Box Club and that of high-roller Sky Masterson (Nicholas Sloan), who falls in love with mission worker Sarah Brown (Jamie Leigh Walker).