Ben Reece News

Desert Rose Playhouse's production of THE VIEW UPSTAIRS is a must-see -- 100 minutes of an emotional roller coaster with tears and laughs and great acting, singing, and dancing.

Guys and Dolls is possibly the most frequently produced musical in the world. Since its Broadway debut in 1950, it has had numerous revivals on Broadway and the West End, and it has been tackled by just about every high school, college, and community theatre in the world. Fortunately, its popularity is justified, and it might become just a bit more popular in Palm Springs because of the production currently playing at the Palm Canyon Theatre. It has filled the house and been greeted with a standing ovation almost every performance in its first two weeks.

The Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) will become a pantomime of hustle and bustle as the regional repertory company presents Guys and Dolls January 18-February 10. Set in New York City in the 1940s, Guys and Dolls is about some big city gamblers and the women who love them. The Tony award winner for Best Musical tells the overlapping stories of the lovable rapscallion, Nathan Detroit (Paul Grant), engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide (Se Layne), a headliner at the Hot Box Club and that of high-roller Sky Masterson (Nicholas Sloan), who falls in love with mission worker Sarah Brown (Jamie Leigh Walker).

The Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) will become a pantomime of hustle and bustle as the regional repertory company presents Guys and Dolls January 18-February 10. Set in New York City in the 1940s, Guys and Dolls is about some big city gamblers and the women who love them. The Tony award winner for Best Musical tells the overlapping stories of the lovable rapscallion, Nathan Detroit (Paul Grant), engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide (Se Layne), a headliner at the Hot Box Club and that of high-roller Sky Masterson (Nicholas Sloan), who falls in love with mission worker Sarah Brown (Jamie Leigh Walker).

Sisters are doing it for themselves at the Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT). Although Whoopi Goldberg's two Sister Act movies are well known, the Broadway musical that they spawned is a bit less familiar to most folks. That will not be the case from this point forward as PCT is filling houses with the valley premiere of the Broadway musical, Sister Act. With a top-notch cast and enthusiastic direction, we can only shout, "Hallelujah!"

Palm Canyon Theatre has pulled off quite a coup by acquiring rights to Hello, Dolly, one of America's favorite musicals, while the revival is still packing houses on Broadway. In one year, we have had Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters (Bette's replacement), and now Se Layne all giving their take on the matchmaker of Yonkers at the turn of the 20th century

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

MAME has opened at the Palm Canyon Theatre, starring Se Layne and Morgana Corelli. The musical will run through Dec 17th.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

To quote Jeff Marx and Bobby Lopez - "There's A Fine, Fine Line". Between what's funny and what's not. Between what's tasteful and what's not. Let's just say that DIRTY LITTLE SHOWTUNES crossed the line on both accounts on multiple occasions throughout the evening. The premise - the Broadway "show tune" melodies we can all sing by heart accompanied by very clever lyrics that lampoon the unique idiosyncrasies of the gay lifestyle. The problem - it ends up being a one joke show that wears out its welcome - better served if it was condensed to a one act revue that didn't keep repeating itself and trying to top itself. I would have a similar complaint about a show that is quite similar in formula- Forbidden Broadway - that starts out with great comic momentum but has trouble finding its way back after intermission.

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz was honored and presented with with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz on May 19 in Palm Springs. The event was held in the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, and featured a conversation with Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits. Directed and moderated by Scott Logsdon (Les Miserables), the evening included performances from Tony nominee Andrea McArdle (Annie), Hunter Parrish (Broadway's Godspell revival and Showtime's 'Weeds'), Kate Flannery (NBC's 'The Office'), Pamla Vale Abramson, Melissa Batalles, Garrett Hoy, Ben Reece, Haviland Stillwell (Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof) and Laura L.Thomas. Joel Baker was the musical director and accompanist. See photos of the stars performing on stage below!

Desert Theatre Ensemble Company today announced that Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has declared today, May 19 to be recognized as 'Stephen Schwartz Day'.

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz will be honored with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz tonight, May 19 in Palm Springs.

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz will be honored with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz May 19 in Palm Springs. The 8 PM event, which will be held in the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, will feature a conversation with Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits. Check out a preview of the event below!

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz will be honored with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz May 19 in Palm Springs.

Hunter Parrish, who previously starred in the Broadway revival of GODSPELL, has joined the starry talent lineup of When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz on May 19 in Palm Springs.

Desert Theatre Ensemble Company today announced that Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has declared May 19 to be recognized as 'Stephen Schwartz Day'.