Audrey Liebross - Page 6

Desert Rose Playhouse has opened its 2017-18 season its sixth with a brilliant production of Christopher Durang's simultaneously literary and loony 2012 comedy, VANYA & SONYA & MASHA & SPIKE (VSMS), which Durang has likened to taking Chekhov scenes and characters and whirling them around in a blender.

Desert Theatreworks' (DTW's) rip-roaring production of the Broadway musical, ANNIE, is a winner. The cast (both grown-ups and children), perform their roles with heart and expertise, resulting in a fabulous, feel-good presentation that all ages can enjoy.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS is playing for four more performances at the Palm Canyon Theatre, from Thursday, July 13, 2017, through Sunday, July 16, 2017.

Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) has a robust summer season planned, which is already in progress. Its offerings consist of plays, cabaret, jazz, and classical music. This weekend, Perry Ojeda, who played Gabey in the 1998 Broadway Revival of ON THE TOWN, will perform in concert. Mr. Ojeda will sing the songs of Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

The national tour of PIPPIN is coming to the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, for two shows only, on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 4, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. Naysh Fox plays the title character, and Housso Semon showcases her powerful voice as the 'Leading Player.' Broadway World interviewed Tyler Jacobson, who is one of the show's acrobats.

Director Jim Strait's wit shines in Desert Rose's CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE. The script needs pruning, but the dialogue flies most of the time, as do the audience's guffaws. The two women in the cast have the juicy roles, and make the most of them. The audience will have fun at this raunchy play.

CVRep is currently presenting an engaging production of A.R. Gurney's one-act dramedy, LATER LIFE, directed by theatre veteran Luke Yankee, making his CVRep debut. All four cast members, each of whom has an impressive list of credits, are a pleasure to watch, as they expertly use their voices, bodies, and faces to pull us into their characters' stories.

Desert Theatreworks' (now resident in the Indio Performing Arts Center) production of the musical tearjerker NEXT TO NORMAL is a must-see. The uniformly superb cast performs their roles with spirit and empathy, and they all display lovely singing voices.

The Sun City Palm Desert Performing Arts Club has done a wonderful job with its annual musical for 2017, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Although the production ran for only one weekend, the club has other offerings coming up.

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.