Review: GULITY PLEASURES at Sun City Performing ARts

SPECIAL TO BROADWAY WORLD BY JUNE AUGUST

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.

Back Story: In 1993, as the last of the construction vehicles were leaving the new development, a group of theatre-lovers were settling in Sun City. Some had been pros. Some were still working in “the business.” Some were alums of high school, college, and community theater productions elsewhere. They founded the Performing Arts Club because they still loved theatre, and—with a doff of the hat to Andrew Lloyd Webber—love never dies. The goal was to provide in-house entertainment for residents of their 55+ retirement community.

The maiden production in 1994, the first of many original musicals, was performed on a makeshift stage—little more than an elevated platform. Guilty Pleasures—the current musical—is presented on a beautiful stage with professional sound, lighting, and rear-screen projections which create a different background environment for each of the 34 favorite tunes and dance numbers. Notably, the ages of the 23 performers ranged from 60s to 90s. I was duly impressed. They sang, danced, gave their all, and never missed an entrance after dozens of costume changes. Kudos to the technical crew and congratulations to director Karen Schmitt, choreographers Judith Cameron and Paul MacKey, and music director Wayne Abravanel.

Among the stand-out performances: Sheri Shepherd (“Popular”), Paula Butler (“Anyone Can Whistle”), Ramona Larson (“It Must Be Him”), Paul MacKey (“A House is Not a Home”), Tom Lord and Richard Cordobes (“I Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore”), Doug Wilson and Cast (“Ya Got Trouble”), Karen Schmitt (“Broadway Baby”), Rick Rowen (“Impossible Dream”), and Sheri Shepherd and Paul MacKey (“The Prayer”).

Three full-cast numbers—“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “I Got Rhythm”—were beautifully staged. Judith Cameron and Dee Weston performed a clever rendition of “History of Dance.” Marlene Roberts was convincing in one of my favorites, “No Time at All.” The audience related to the parody lyrics for “Memory” sung by Lynda Matteson, but the program omitted attribution. I have a feeling audiences will be seeing more of Carole Raskin, Sue Jensen, Laurie Dichtel, Leslie Foumberg, Lynn Cruz, Carol Baker, Becky Cranford and Debe Haller.

Appropriately, the moving closing number by the full cast was “Love is Here to Stay”—the last song the Gershwins wrote together before George’s death.

As mentioned earlier, the original intent of the Performing Arts Club was to provide in-house entertainment. After seeing Guilty Pleasures, I encourage the community at large to consider attending the shows at Sun City Palm Desert. You can find the schedule on the Desert Theatre League website or http://​https://www.scshca.com/charteredclubs/performingarts/ ​

SPECIAL TO BROADWAY WORLD BY JUNE AUGUST

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