Ron Celona News

December 31st is the end of the tax year for most taxpayers as well as the date on which many nonprofits close their books. Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit theaters are engaging in December fundraising to improve their bottom lines.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) presented a second round of staged readings of George Eastman's 'HAPPY HOUR.' Gavin MacLeod and Michael Shaw reprised their roles from an earlier version. Director Ron Celona hopes to have a full production ready for CVRep's 2015-16 season.

In keeping with its 2014/15 American Melting Pot theme (a look at four distinct cultures by four critically-acclaimed playwrights), The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) is set to present their second main stage production, Having Our Say, The Delany Sister's First Hundred Years. Written by Emily Mann and adapted from the book of the same name by real-life sisters, Sarah L. and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth, Having Our Say will be performed at the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre in Rancho Mirage from January 21 to February 8, 2015.

In the summer of 2014, Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) presented the world premiere staged reading of Happy Hour by George Eastman, starring Gavin MacLeod and Michael Shaw. In the months since, Director Ron Celona and the playwright George Eastman, have been working together on script changes, with the goal of developing a full production of Happy Hour for the 2015-2016 Season at CVRep.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre, in Rancho Mirage, California, has mounted a brilliant production of THE CHOSEN as part of its 'American Melting Pot' series. THE CHOSEN examines the lives of two Orthodox Jewish high school friends in Brooklyn during and immediately after World War II. One boy lives in the modern world and one is cocooned in the Hasidic community, but both must deal with their own family concerns, the horror of the Holocaust, and their fathers' estrangement over differing views on Zionism.

CVRep Theatre is back for its fourth outstanding season with a melange of four plays by four critically acclaimed playwrights that celebrate some of the distinct cultures that resonate in America today.

CVRep Theatre is back for its fourth outstanding season with a melange of four plays by four critically acclaimed playwrights that celebrate some of the distinct cultures that resonate in America today.

Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre has announced their first fundraiser event for the 2014-15 season - A Magical Evening of Luminaries. This star-studded event will be held on Sunday, Nov 2nd at 7 PM. and will feature Luminaries from Broadway, Film and Television.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY with another exciting cabaret offering - HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, this weekend, August 9 and 10.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY with two more exciting cabaret offerings - BUBBLEGUM's ANONYMOUS - CHEW ON THIS!, a tribute to the music of the 50's, 60's and 70's starring Gilmore Rixxo, this weekend, July 18-20, and HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, August 9 and 10.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY, which stars Broadway Veterans Alix Korey, Janene Lovullo and Sal Mistretta and runs June 27-29, with two more exciting cabaret offerings - BUBBLEGUM's ANONYMOUS - CHEW ON THIS!, a tribute to the music of the 50's, 60's and 70's starring Gilbert Rixxo, July 18-20, and HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, August 9 and 10.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theater (CV Rep) will continue entertaining local desert audiences through the summer with three musical cabaret productions slated for June, July and August 2014. The first of the three-part CV Rep Cabaret Series is a "toe tapping, madcap musical revue" entitled LAUGHTER, LOVE AND LUNACY starring Broadway and cabaret favorites Alix Korey, Janene Lovullo and Sal Mistretta. will run at the CV Rep Theatre in Rancho Mirage on Friday, June 27 and Today, June 28 at 7 PM and Sunday, June 29th at 2 PM.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theater (CV Rep) will continue entertaining local desert audiences through the summer with three musical cabaret productions slated for June, July and August 2014. The first of the three-part CV Rep Cabaret Series is a 'toe tapping, madcap musical revue' entitled LAUGHTER, LOVE AND LUNACY starring Broadway and cabaret favorites Alix Korey, Janene Lovullo and Sal Mistretta. will run at the CV Rep Theatre in Rancho Mirage on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at 7 PM and Sunday, June 29th at 2 PM.

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.

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.

Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre's MASTER CLASS, playing through November 10, is the first MUST SEE production of the desert's 2013-2014 theatrical season! It is what you might call a "triple threat" production --- one of Terrance McNally's finest books, a superb (that is putting it mildly) leading lady, and a production that fits CV-Rep's intimate space like a glove. The only real disappointment in the evening was the half full theatre - a tragedy! This production DESERVES an audience and I place it squarely atop my list of "run - don't walk to get your tickets before the final curtain' evenings in the theatre.