David Green - Page 27

Actor, musician and writer Peter Gallagher makes his debut at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs with his one-man show, 'How'd All You People Get In My Room?,' on Saturday, February 22 at 8:00 pm. Gallagher will share real-life stories from his early days starting out as a young actor in New York, to working with legends like Jack Lemmon, Tom Stoppard, Mike Nichols, Robert Altman, Peter O'Toole and more. Joined by his band, Gallagher brings his experiences to life with songs ranging from Broadway, to music from the hit television show 'The OC,' to classics from Sammy Cahn, Jules Styne, Burt Bacharach and Van Morrison. Gallagher made his Broadway debut in 1977 as Danny Zuko in 'Grease'. He later starred as Sky Masterson in the 1992 Tony-Winning revival of 'Guys And Dolls' , as well as the musicals 'Pal Joey' and 'Annie Get Your Gun'.

With so many theatrical offerings and special events in the desert during "high season" it is easy for a smaller production, without the benefit of a hefty marketing budget, to get a little overlooked. This seems to be the case with a little gem of a musical playing at The Desert Rose Playhouse, and it is a shame. Nite Club Confidential is a campy send up of the film noir genre set in the smoky, dimly lit night clubs of Paris, New York and Hollywood in the 1950's and the DRP's iteration is both "on point" and highly entertaining. The little playhouse just east of Palm Springs, in neighboring Rancho Mirage, is perfectly suited for this production because it, too, has the aesthetic of a smoky little Night Club. (I kept wishing they had set up the room with cocktail tables and the glow of candles upon them, because it would serve both the venue and the play very well.) The Desert Rose Playhouse is intimate, to be sure, at less than 99 seats, and it was a crime to see so many of them vacant. The cast of Nite Club Confidential deserves an audience.

I'm almost certain I've said this before about a Coyote Stageworks production - but it bears repeating! 'Run, don't walk' to the box office to see this highly polished, highly entertaining and anything but 'high brow' musical comedy before it's too late. I offer a few critical thoughts below, in addition to heaps of praise -- but nothing to impede you from running out and spending a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the theatre with an absolutely irresistible quartet of actors. Founder and Artistic Director, Chuck Yates, has once again assembled a 'dream team' of actors, directors and designers who deliver at every turn. The Andrews Brothers is all fluff, to be sure, but it is presented with such panache, polish and style that the diversion from anything with more depth is just what the doctor ordered. I can't think of a better description than a very old-fashioned word - 'delightful'! It was absolutely delightful. I LOVED THIS SHOW and you will too.

Emmy winning actor/comedian Bruce Vilanch joins several Broadway Veterans and the students of Musical Theatre University in their very first fully-staged musical production, HAIRSPRAY, which will be presented for three performances, tonight, January 31 through February 2, at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School.

Emmy winning actor/comedian Bruce Vilanch joins several Broadway Veterans and the students of Musical Theatre University in their very first fully-staged musical production, HAIRSPRAY, which will be presented for three performances, January 31 through February 2, at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School. Vilanch will reprise his critically acclaimed turn as Edna Turnblad in the Tony Award winning musical, based on the cult film by John Waters, alongside Broadway actors Sal Mistretta, Lisa Robinson and Gwen Stewart, and featuring the talented, young Musical Theatre University students.

The McCallum Theatre and the Rabobank Broadway Blockbuster Series present the national tour of Man of LaMancha for five performances, tonight, January 24, through Sunday, January 26.

The McCallum Theatre and the Rabobank Broadway Blockbuster Series present the national tour of Man of LaMancha for five performances, Friday, January 24, through Sunday, January 26. Man of La Mancha returns in an all-new production complete with the Tony Award winning score and book that has inspired theatregoers since the very first note of 'The Impossible Dream' was heard on opening night. The original Broadway production ran for 2,328 and won five Tony Awards, including 'Best Musical' and Man of LaMancha remains one of the most enduring works of musical theatre. I caught up with director, Jeff Moses, to get his thoughts on this acclaimed production and more. Here are a few excerpts from that interview ...

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CV Rep) continues to bring 'theatre of substance' to the desert communities with its third production of the 2013-14 season, A Perfect Ganesh, by Tony Award winning playwright, Terrence McNally and directed by CV Rep Artistic Director, Ron Celona. Considered one of McNally's best plays, A Perfect Ganesh is an insightful and creative blend of comedy and drama with many enchanting characters, and a captivating plot filled with humor, warmth and a host of surprise twists and turns.The second of three McNally plays being presented at CV Rep this season, A Perfect Ganesh will enjoy a three week run from tonight, Jan 22-February 9, 2014 at the CV Rep Theatre in Rancho Mirage.

Christine Andreas brings her much hailed and highly anticipated Cabaret 'be-Mused' to The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs tonight, January 18 at 8:00 pm.

StageWorks is pleased to announce that veteran television and film actress Stefanie Powers is scheduled to appear in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at 6:00 pm on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs. Powers, best known for her role as Jennifer Hart in the 1980's television series "Hart to Hart," joins a roster of celebrities for this one-night-only performance to benefit Coyote StageWorks, a not-for-profit company dedicated to advancing theatre as a vital art form in the desert communities of the Coachella Valley.

Christine Andreas brings her much hailed and highly anticipated Cabaret "be-Mused" to The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs on Saturday, January 18 at 8:00 pm. Ms. Andreas first captured New York City theatre-goer's hearts and became a bonifide star in the 20th anniversary production of MY FAIR LADY as Eliza Doolittle (Theatre World Award); followed by the revival of OKLAHOMA!, as Laurey, working with Billy Hammerstein & Agnes deMillle (Tony Nomination); and ON YOUR TOES, as Frankie Frayne, directed by the legendary director George Abbott, (Tony Nomination). The LA Times called her "a mesmerizing musical presence".?I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Andreas about her upcoming Cabaret Performance at The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, and all things "Christine". Here are a few excerpts from that interview.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CV Rep) continues to bring 'theatre of substance' to the desert communities with its third production of the 2013-14 season, A Perfect Ganesh, by Tony Award winning playwright, Terrence McNally and directed by CV Rep Artistic Director, Ron Celona. Considered one of McNally's best plays, A Perfect Ganesh is an insightful and creative blend of comedy and drama with many enchanting characters, and a captivating plot filled with humor, warmth and a host of surprise twists and turns.The second of three McNally plays being presented at CV Rep this season, A Perfect Ganesh will enjoy a three week run from Jan 22-February 9, 2014 at the CV Rep Theatre in Rancho Mirage.

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present Miss Joey English in Dennis Deal's 'mid-century modern' jazz musical Nite Club Confidential. The production will open tonight, January 10, 2014 for a six-week run closing on February 16, 2014.

The McCallum Theatre and the Rabobank Broadway Blockbuster Series present the national tour of Man of LaMancha for five performances, Friday, January 24, through Sunday, January 26. Man of La Mancha returns in an all-new production complete with the Tony Award winning score and book that has inspired theatregoers since the very first note of 'The Impossible Dream' was heard on opening night. Enter the mind and the world of Don Quixote as he pursues his quest for the impossible dream. Against all odds, a man sees good and innocence in a world filled with darkness and despair. This lyrical and amusing adventure is a classic tale of the triumph of man over his own follies. The original Broadway production ran for 2,328 and won five Tony Awards, including 'Best Musical' and Man of LaMancha remains one of the most enduring works of musical theatre.

The Coachella Valley's Coyote StageWorks will bring to the stage "The 39 Steps" at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, February 28 through March 9, 2014. A two-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winner and recipient of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, "The 39 Steps" is a fast-paced whodunit for everyone who loves the magic of theatre. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have "The 39 Steps," packed with nonstop laughs, more than 150 zany characters, an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance.

Maureen McGovern has been called the singer with 'The Stradivarius Voice,' so tremendous is her talent. Her 40-year career has encompassed recording, song writing, concerts, radio, television, film and Broadway, and is about to begin her second show-stopping stint with The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, appearing tonight, January 7 through March 8, 2014. McGovern made her Broadway debut in The Pirates of Penzance in 1981.

Luis Bravo's internationally acclaimed Forever Tango has played to great acclaim in Europe, Canada and throughout the United States, and most recently, enjoyed its third run on Broadway. The McCallum Theatre Luis Bravo's Forever Tango for three performances -Saturday, January 11, at 8:00pm and Sunday, January 12, at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Forever Tango opened on Broadway in June of 1997 for what was expected to be an eight-week engagement. It ran for 14 months and has since been back to Broadway on two separate occasions. I had the opportunit to chat with Mr. Bravo about his upcoming engagement at The McCallum Theatre and more. Here are a few excerpts ffrom thea conversation.

Coyote StageWorks' Play Dates Reading Series presents the Antaeus Theater Ensemble's staged reading of 'Hughie,' a short two character play by Eugene O'Neill, at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, tonight, December 19, 2013 at 5:30 pm. The performance is free to the public. Coyote Stageworks was recently voted 'Best Live Theater' in The Desert Sun's Best of the Valley competition for the second year in a row.

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present Miss Joey English in Dennis Deal's "mid-century modern" jazz musical Nite Club Confidential. The production will open January 10, 2014 for a six-week run closing on February 16, 2014. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2 PM.

Coyote StageWorks announces the launch of its 2014 season with "The Andrews Brothers: A Madcap Musical Salute to the Swinging '40's" at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, January 24 through February 16, 2014. Created by Roger Bean ('The Marvelous Wonderettes') and presented in association with the Annenberg Theater and Roger Bean Productions, this hilarious musical is packed with slapstick comedy, old-fashioned romance, and nostalgic tunes.