David Green - Page 1

PRISM Theatre Company's debut production, CAMP MORNING WOOD, plays its final weekend in Palm Springs with just four more performances remaining before the campfire goes out. The show’s premise is about seven characters navigating their inhibitions in the judgement-free, clothing-optional environment of Camp “Morning Wood”. It is far from an evening a high-art or thought-provoking theatre but, if you just want to let go of the cerebral and give in to a mindless romp with a wonderfully engaging cast, CAMP MORNING WOOD is the ticket. I had the chance to catch up with Jeffrey Johns, the actor who plays the musical’s comedic, scene-stealing  twink, Derek, prior to a recent matinee performance. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

PRISM Theatre Company's debut production, CAMP MORNING WOOD, plays its final weekend in Palm Springs with just four more performances remaining before the campfire goes out. The show’s premise is about seven characters navigating their inhibitions in the judgement-free, clothing-optional environment of Camp “Morning Wood”. It is far from an evening a high-art or thought provoking theatre but, if you just want to let go of the cerebral and give in to a mindless romp with a wonderfully engaging cast, CAMP MORNING WOOD is the ticket. I had the chance to catch up with Prince Alex, the actor who plays the musical’s adorable and sexy antagonist, Kincaid, prior to a recent matinee performanceHere are a few excerpts from the conversation:

Top notch talent, and a WHOLE LOT MORE, is on display in Prism Theatre’s debut production of CAMP MORNING WOOD, which plays its final weekend in Palm Springs  with just four more performances remaining before the campfire goes out. The show’s premise is about seven characters navigating their inhibitions in the judgement-free, clothing-optional environment of Camp “Morning Wood”. It is far from an evening a high-art or thought provoking theatre but, if you just want to let go of the cerebral and give in to a mindless romp with a wonderfully engaging cast, CAMP MORNING WOOD is the ticket. I had the chance to catch up with Leo Ayala, the actor who plays the musical’s protagonist, Randy, as he was getting “undressed” for e recent matinee performance. (Just kidding about the undressing). Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

Desert Theatricals brings the legendary Broadway musical Chicago to the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater for a limited three-night run, opening March 13. Packed with murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery — all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts — the Kander and Ebb classic remains as sharp and entertaining today as when it first premiered. Under the direction of Ray Limon, this stylish production embraces the show’s signature blend of vaudeville spectacle, biting satire, and sultry jazz.

Academy Award nominated actress, writer, director and producer Renée Taylor brings her award-winning autobiographical comedy MY LIFE ON A DIET, to Palm Springs’ PLAZA THEATRE on March 18th where she looks back on a life full of memorable roles in Hollywood and on Broadway, and just as many fad diets.  A self-described “diet junkie” who used to think that if she ate like a star, she just might look and live like one, Renée dishes out juicy anecdotes and weight loss tips from Hollywood legends such as Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, and Grace Kelly. She also shares hilarious and poignant stories about Joseph Bologna, her partner in work and life for 52 years. I had the opportunity to catch up with Ms. Taylor to talk about her life and her upcoming Palm Springs outing. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Top notch talent, and a WHOLE LOT MORE, is on display in Prism Theatre’s debut production of CAMP MORNING WOOD, which plays through March 22nd in Palm Springs. If you’re looking for an evening a high-art, thought provoking theatre or tasteful musical comedy then you should run the other way as fast as you can. The “Full Frontal Nudity” disclaimer on the front door of the theatre should be your first clue. But if you just want to let go of the cerebral and give in to a mindless romp with a wonderfully engaging cast, CAMP MORNING WOOD is the ticket.

On February 28 and March 1, 2026, Morgan Fairchild will be featured in a staged reading of Marilyn, Mom & Me, Luke Yankee’s new play about his mother, Eileen Heckart, and her intense friendship with Marilyn Monroe during the shooting of the 1956 film, Bus Stop. All proceeds from the event will support ongoing programs and student outreach at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Rachel York joins a starry cast of Broadway peers as Michael Orland and David Green's Musical Theatre University Team Up With Palm Springs Art Museum to bring A Very Broadway Christmas to the desert in the Museum's beautiful Annenberg Theatre for two special nights in December -- December 16 and 17 at 7:00 pm.

The Tony Winning Best Musical MOULIN ROUGE was the highly anticipated opener to the McCallum's Broadway Season and it brought an enthusiastic audience all the promised spectacle, glitz, excess, bawdiness and More, More, More!!! There is much to love about this thrill ride of a production -- but the real headliners of this jukebox musical are Justin Townsend's lighting, Derek McLane's scenic design and Sonya Teyah's Tony Winning choreography. They stole the show, even from the superbly talented cast! 

Tickets are on sale now for the starriest holiday show in Southern California as Broadway powerhouses Tony Winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kevin Chamberlin, James Snyder and Rachel York  join the talented perfomers of David Green's Musical Theatre University in a ninety-minute holiday celebration featuring favorite songs of the season, old and new, and fully-staged and choreographed production numbers by the MTU singers, all under the musical direction of Michael Orland.

Michael Orland and David Green's Musical Theatre University Team Up With PS Art Museum to bring A Very Broadway Christmas to Palm Springs in the Museum's beautiful Annenberg Theatre for two special nights in December -- December 16 and 17 at 7:00 pm. Joining the talented students and alumni of Musical Theatre University (MTU) are Broadway powerhouses Tony Winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kevin Chamberlin, James Snyder and Rachel York in a ninety-minute holiday celebration featuring favorite songs of the season, old and new, and fully-staged and choreographed production numbers by the MTU singers, under the musical direction of Michael Orland.

Fans of Rocky Horror, Halloween-y entertainment, and those looking for memorable nighttime entertainment with friends should run, not walk, to Revolution Stage Company for their very fun production of Evil Dead- The Musical. But beware— you may be seated in the blood pack splash zone. 

Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance Part Two opened the 2025–26 season at The Bent in Palm Springs on Friday, October 17. This follows The Inheritance Part One, which closed the 2024–25 season.

The legendary sex symbol Marlene Dietrich, celebrated for her groundbreaking performances in film and on stage, comes to life in DIETRICH, a one-woman play-with-music starring Cindy Marinangel. This production will take center stage at the Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs for two nights only, April 4 and 5, 2025.

What did our critic think of TRU at Desert Ensemble Theatre?Since I missed Chuck Yates’s award-winning performance of Jay Presson Allen’s TRU the first time around, I was thrilled to review the reprise of his solo show, playing through February 2, 2025, Desert Ensemble Theatre at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. From curtain to curtain the only character on that stage was Truman Capote—TRU—with all his idiosyncrasies, peccadillos, and charm.

What did our critic think of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Coachella Valley Repetory Theatre?Take it from the top: another charming and effective Jimmy Cuomo set that embraces the style and provides the backdrop for The Light in the Piazza. From the piano, Music Director Stephen Hulsey conducts the orchestra. We are transported to Florence, Italy, as statues come to life in Karen Sieber’s lovely, almost seductive choreography, performed by a remarkable Ensemble--leading into Adam Kersten’s lyrical production. His direction was a work of art.

This is a first! During the 31 years since the founding of the Performing Arts Club in Sun City Palm Desert, there has never been a review of any of the 100+ shows produced, performed and directed by the members. I am glad to report that the current show--a lively, engaging, colorful revue titled Guilty Pleasures—received a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience.

Steve Young, star of the acclaimed documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway, has pulled back the curtain on one of the strangest, most improbable realms of show business—musicals written for corporate events. Now he’s coming to the McCallum Theatre to share a cornucopia of these unlikely gems at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8.

A Palm Springs favorite is back… and already selling out fast! Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) will present Del Shores’ Sordid Lives, January 19-28, 2024. In the tradition of a good “cult classic,” PCT is encouraging audience participation with cues to sing along and get involved in the action (from the comfort of a seat).