David Green

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).

Palm Canyon Theatres “Elf” will definitely get you in the holiday spirit! Santa (David Brooks) brought Christmas cheer for all to hear! With his charming smile and stage presence, I almost believed in Santa again!  If you’ve seen the movie “Elf”, you can expect this production to be just as hilariously charming!

Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. After being raised as an elf at the North Pole, Buddy Hobbs discovers, as a young man, that he is actually human. With Santa’s encouragement, Buddy embarks on an eventful journey through New York City in search of his biological family. Elf, The Musical runs at Palm Canyon Theatre December 1-17.

What a stellar performance PCT put on with their stunning direction by Luke Rainey and Rent’s incredible cast. The lighting (J.W. Layne) was stunning and lifted the shows emotion and took us swiftly from scene to scene. The choreography (Se Layne) brought laughs and the beautiful visual of community that “Rent” requires. I have SEVERAL “oh WOW” moments in my mind so please enjoy while I immersive myself in all of them as I write this review.  

KINKY BOOTS is running strong for another two weeks and I highly encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful piece of theater! They will “Raise you up” and “Celebrate you to ELEVATE you!” Don’t walk… RUN in those boots BABY- to Kinky Boots!

Palm Canyon Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” was the first dramatic work in their primarlily musical season and, wow,  it was the perfect artistic choice! The story revolves around Shelby (no, NOT me) played by  Erin Shull, and her life in the small town of Natchitoches Louisiana where love, sass and hairdressers fill the air. If you’ve seen the film, you know what an absolutely briilliant and engaging  piece of theatre this is. Timeless!

Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are thrilled to reunite 20 years after captivating audiences during their historic run on the second season of Fox’s American Idol in 2003—and the duo will be performing at the McCallum Theatre at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18. Both plucked from the relative obscurity of their hometowns in the South, the unlikely pair quickly became audience favorites, instrumental in propelling Idol to the top of the Nielsen ratings, nearly tripling the viewership of the previous season, and securing its place as one of the most consequential TV series in American history.

Palm Canyon Theatre presents the heartfelt Southern Classic Steel Magnolias. The 1987 play, which became a hit movie in 1989, takes audiences into the lives of the strong and endearing women who frequent Truvy’s Salon for hairdos, laughter and sage advice. Like many small close-knit communities, Chinquapin, Louisiana includes an entertaining cast of characters such as a town curmudgeon, an eccentric millionaire and a local social leader. A sudden realization of their mortality affects each of them, as they discover their underlying love for one another in this touching comedy.

Palm Canyon Theatre opened their season last weekend with “Brigadoon”! This magical, classic story by Lerner and Loewe takes us on an unexpected, mystical journey back in time- or so we think. Two New Yorkers: Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas travel to the Scottish Highlands for vacation. On their trip, they get lost and stumble upon a town seemingly living in the past called Brigadoon. The people of Brigadoon are living hundreds of years ago and they know no such thing as modern life. 

The Sixteenth edition of Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival will soon be underway. The schedule is set and tickets and passes are now on sale. The festival, which includes forty nine feature films and over 100 short films this year, runs for two long weekends at the Palm Springs Cultural Center: September 21-24 and September 28-October 1. Films will be screening in all three of the Camelot theatres. 

From the creators of My Fair Lady and Camelot, Palm Canyon Theatre presents the classic musical tale of a mythical and magical village located in the Scottish Highlands, BRIGADOON. Americans Jeff and Tommy, while on a hunting trip, stumble upon the town of Brigadoon, which they discover comes alive only once every 100 years. After falling for Fiona, a local woman, Tommy must choose between returning to the life he knows or giving up on the outside world and taking a chance on love in this mysterious place.

McCallum Theatre Education will present exciting original choreography by choreographers from across the nation and abroad at the annual Palm Desert Choreography Festival. This one of a kind festival, scheduled for Saturday, November 11th at 7pm and Sunday, November 12th at 4pm continues to promote dance as an art form by creating a platform for emerging and established choreographers and developing new dance audiences.

Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center announces the return of “One Night Only' for the 17th year at the McCallum Theatre produced by Michael Childers with returning director Scott Coulter and musical director Todd Schroeder along with choreographer Jonathan Sharp. This year’s theme is “Las Vegas: The Golden Age, 1950-1970.” Patrons will take a step back in time for “Las Vegas: The Golden Age, 1950-1970” starring Debby Boone, Clint Holmes, Jennifer Leigh Warren (all 3 pictured) Klea Blackhurst, Billy Stritch, Carole J. Bufford, Jason Graae, Valarie Pettiford, , Nita Whitaker, Seth Sikes, Nicholas King, Kelli Rabke, Gary Shaw, Scott Coulter, Julie Garnye’, Alex Getlin, Tamika Lawrence, Aaron Lazar, Debbie Gravitte, Jessica Hendy, Daniel LeClaire, Chris Mann, Lesli Margherita, Anthony Murphy, Jonathan Sharp, James Snyder and Nickerson-Rossi Dance.

Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) is bringing back its popular, original musical – Palm Springs Getaway. The production is a nostalgic romp through the popular oasis featuring glimpses of history, icons and the celebrities who made the city famous. With a collection of well-known and original songs, the show transports audiences from the early desert landscape to the vibrant and inclusive community people know and love today – and every decade in between.

Halloween Palm Springs will return to Arenas Road (Arenas District – Downtown Palm Springs) on Sunday, October 30 from 4:00-10:00p.m. A Hocker Productions event, Halloween Palm Springs is FREE with a suggested donation of $10 being accepted at each of the entrances benefiting DAP Health, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Greater Palm Springs Pride and LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. 

Michael Childers “One Night Only' celebrates its 16th year in the desert with “New York, New York” on November 9, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. This year’s theme is all about New York in all its glory from Harlem and the Cotton Club to Broadway and 42nd Street to Studio 54. All proceeds benefit The Barbara Sinatra Children's Foundation. Once again the creative team is helmed by director Scott Coulter and musical director Todd Schroeder. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, September 7, through the McCallum Theatre box office online at www.McCallumTheatre.com. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 760-340-2787.

Coachella Valley Repertory Theater (CVRep) is proud to announce that iconic and legendary photographer Michael Childers will be honored at the Luminary Luncheon, an exclusive entertainment and fundraising experience, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 12:00 N with a special sponsor reception at 11:15 AM at the beautiful Westin Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage. Childers has captured through his lens, some of the most renowned portraits of Hollywood and music icons and produced numerous award-winning films. For 16 years, he’s had the biggest hit in the Coachella Valley with sold out performances of One Night Only. This year’s production at the McCallum Theatre will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2022 and will benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

Two years after its record-breaking grand opening and subsequent COVID enforced shut-down, AsiaSF/Palm Springs (www.asiasf.com), is back! The SoCal branch of the storied San Francisco dinner theatre and cabaret featuring the world-famous transgender Ladies of AsiaSFwelcomed back its first paying customers earlier this year. Now, they’re ready to officially announce their full return. The “Ribbon Cutting 2.0” will take place tomorrow – Wednesday, February 9 at 5pm – at 1555 South Palm Canyon Drive.  Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton and representatives from The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will officiate. Proof of full vaccination is required for all employees, guests and entertainers and masks are required for entry and when guests are not actively eating or drinking.