Audrey Liebross - Page 12

On Saturday, March 25, 2017, Snow White and her princess friends will tell Riverside audiences what REALLY happened in their not-so-fairy-tale lives. DISENCHANTED!, the hit satirical musical suitable for adults only, will play two performances at the Fox Performing Arts Center, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Prolific screenwriter and playwright Del Shores is perhaps best known for his series of plays about growing up gay in the South. In the semi-autobiographical SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, now playing at the Desert Rose Playhouse in an excellent production, he describes the clash between his identities as a devout Baptist and a gay child.

Coachella Valley Repertory's DISGRACED examines identity and prejudice. It is expertly performed, timely, and searing and will almost definitely leave a lasting impression on theatregoers.

Desert Ensemble Theatre Company (DETC) is presenting LOVESPORT, a world premiere play by Tony Padilla, DETC's founder and producing artistic director. He produced and directed LOVESPORT as well as writing the script. I recommend the show because the acting is excellent, and the script exhibits dramatic tension and unexpected developments, especially in the second act.Desert Ensemble Theatre Company (DETC) is presenting LOVESPORT, a world premiere play by Tony Padilla, DETC's founder and producing artistic director. He produced and directed LOVESPORT as well as writing the script. I recommend the show because the acting is excellent, and the script exhibits dramatic tension and unexpected developments, especially in the second act.

Desert Theatreworks (DTW) is currently presenting a howlingly funny, expert production of the musical farce THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, featuring brilliant performances and direction, and nonstop lunacy.

On Friday, February 24, 2017 and Saturday, February 25th, Riverside's Fox Performing Art Center (Fox PAC) will present Theatre Royale's production of MARY POPPINS. David Reuther, known to Inland Empire audiences for his fabulous portrayal of Jean Valjean in Theatre Royale's 2015 production of LES MISERABLES, will play George Banks. Broadway World interviewed Mr. Reuther by email about the show in general and his character in particular.

Loretta Swit, who played Hot Lips Houlihan on television's MASH, is appearing in Coyote Stageworks' SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS at the Annenberg Theater, in Palm Springs. Ms. Swit and her co-star, David Engel, make up the cast of this two-person comedy. Their emotionally honest interaction and Larry Raben's top-notch direction help make this production a winner.

Desert Theatreworks' (DTW's) production of 45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY is a hoot. Thanks to Lance Phillips-Martinez's imaginative direction and the Broadway-quality lead performances (backed by an able supporting cast), theatregoers are almost guaranteed to laugh their heads off.

Charles Busch's SLEEPING BEAUTY OR COMA and VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM are difficult plays to produce, but Desert Rose's director (Jim Strait) and its performers are up to the task. The double bill is the company's annual Gay Heritage presentation, which succeeds spectacularly.

BABY, now playing at Coachella Valley Repertory is a sweet, sentimental musical about a universal topic - pregnancy. Despite what I consider to be flaws in the book (by Sybille Pearson) and lyrics (by Richard Maltby, Jr.), the show is well worth seeing; David Shire's music is engaging and CVRep has mounted an excellent production.

THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY, featuring seven performers, will play the Fox Performing Arts Center (Fox PAC) in Riverside, California, for two shows on Thursday, January 26 and Friday, January 27, 2017. Broadway World Interviewed the 'Deductionist,' Colin Cloud.

Desert Theatreworks (DTW), Palm Desert's 501(c)(3) community theatre, has chosen something different for its 2016 Christmas production. SINATRA: CHRISTMAS MY WAY is a sweet, light, feel-good cabaret simulation featuring Frank Sinatra's holiday music and a few silly jokes. Even though I'm not a Sinatra fan, I enjoyed the show.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES, Joe Mantello's stage adaptation of David Sedaris's memoir of his experience working as Crumpet the Elf, is playing in Rancho Mirage, at the Desert Rose Playhouse.

Part concert and part biography, LENNON - THROUGH A GLASS ONION celebrates the genius of John Lennon. The show, starring Daniel Taylor and Stewart D'Arrietta, features 31 of John Lennon's iconic hits. The show will appear at the Fox Performing Arts Center, in Riverside, for two performances, on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Desert Theatreworks' (DTW's) A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, adapted by Leslie Darbon from the Agatha Christie novel, isn't exactly Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde, but the production's excellence provides a rollicking good time, and more than makes up for any weaknesses in the script.

On Saturday evening, November 5, 2016, at 7 p.m., at Riverside's Fox Performing Arts Center, members of the Second City comedy troupe will apply their unique comedy style to this election season, in a performance of UNELECTABLE YOU: THE SECOND CITY'S COMPLETELY UNBIASED POLITICAL REVUE. UNELECTABLE YOU, jointly presented by Second City and Slate Magazine, is a fast-paced combination of sketch, improvisation, music, and multi-media that takes a hard-hitting look at the United States' election process in general and the improbable events of 2016 in particular.

Coachella Valley Repertory's (CVRep's) first play of the 2016-17 season, ANNAPURNA, is a finely acted and directed, intelligent comic drama that generates plenty of laughs on its way to a moving ending. ANNAPURNA, which tackles CVRep's theme for the season, 'love, marriage, and life changing events,' with heart and grit, will satisfy theatergoers seeking a play with intellectual and emotional depth.

Desert Theatreworks presented SHOW WRECK, a musical parody revue, as a fundraiser. Arnie Kleban, Adina Lawson, Lance Phillips-Martinez, Luke Rainey, and Karen Schmitt presented numbers originated by FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, all of which made fun of theatergoers' favorite New York street. Desert Theatreworks is beginning several new project that require funding to continue.

Desert Rose Playhouse's production of POZ, by Michael Aman, is superbly acted and directed. The play is more o a sweet comic drama than the comedy, as which it was originally billed.

Desert Theatreworks (DTW), Palm Desert's 501(c)(3) community theatre, is presenting Will Eno's esoteric play, THE REALISTIC JONESES. This top-notch production is a must-see for theatergoers interested in well-acted, absorbing, unsettling plays. However, the meaning of the play is difficult to discern.