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A look at local theater and the year ahead
High-octane performance art troupe Blue Man Group comes to McCallum Theatre in November 2010.
Mccllum Theatre
From classic theater to the Playwright’s Circle, the desert teems with live performance — and has almost from the area’s inception. Thanks to the presence of film and stage industry professionals, the quality of local shows far exceeds other communities this size.
The Coachella Valley’s premier theater venue is Palm Desert’s McCallum Theatre, featuring Broadway touring companies and other world-class acts. You can see excellent and very affordable shows at venues across the valley and even in the High Desert.
The larger venues set their schedules well in advance, and information on their 2010-2011 seasons is listed here. Smaller venues’ schedules are more flexible; check their websites or phone them to find out what’s on stage.
MCCALLUM THEATRE
73000 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-340-2787 or 866-889-2787
www.mccallumtheatre.com
McCallum Theatre is the Coachella Valley’s premier venue for live performance. Since opening in 1988, the McCallum has presented a dazzling array of plays, musicals, dance, music, and more.
In November, Blue Man Group visits for five performances. This high-octane performance art troupe has earned critical acclaim around the globe. The act is an explosion of comedy, music, and technology not to be missed.
In January, the Broadway smash A Chorus Line is in town for a five-day run. The musical has won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Broadway revival now touring is sure to be a hit.
In February, Spamalot, Monty Python’s goofy movie-turned-Broadway-bonanza, arrives for its five-day run. Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Spamalot is the stage version of the cult-classic film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen, and show-stopping musical numbers are only a few of the reasons audiences everywhere eat it up.
March brings the timeless classic Fiddler on the Roof. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, this Tony award-winning musical is filled with heartwarming songs, including “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” The musical magically weaves music, dance, poignancy, and laughter into an unforgettable experience.
After turning Broadway hot pink, Legally Blonde looks to paint the desert as well this March. Legally Blonde follows sorority girl Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who won’t take no for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more serious, she puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
April brings another movie-turned-Broadway-musical in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein tale follows young Dr. Frankenstein in his attempts to animate dead flesh — with hilarious complications. Three-time Tony winner Brooks wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book.
Other noteworthy shows at the McCallum include Randy Travis in October; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in November; Dave Koz and The Nutcracker in December; Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, Pirates of Penzance, and Steve Lawrence in January; Marilyn McCoo, Bernadette Peters, and The Ten Tenors in February; Engelbert Humperdinck and Joffrey Ballet in March; and Manhattan Transfer and Tito Puente Jr. in April. In addition, Michael Feinstein visits in November with Christine Ebersole, in January with Tyne Daly, and in February with Barbara Cook.
ANNENBERG THEATER
101 Museum Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-325-4490
www.psmuseum.org
The Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum presents a mix of comedy, live theater, music, and dance. This year promises to be the 433-seat theater’s best ever, kicking off in November with Petula Clark in concert. Other season highlights include Sam Harris on Nov. 17, Davis Gaines on Nov. 27, Loretta Devine on Jan. 19, and Menopause the Musical, Explanation Feb. 4-April 10.
CABARET THEATRE WEST
Hyatt Grand Champions
Indian Wells
760-568-0024
www.cabarettheatrewest.com
Located at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells, this boutique musical theater is planning Lullaby of Broadway during January and February; Cole Porter: Night and Day for February through March; and Flower Power: The Age of the 60s for March and April. Season tickets are reasonably priced.
DEZART PERFORMS
Dezart One Gallery
2688 S Cherokee Way
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-328-1440
www.dezart.imagine99.com
In 2008, Dezart Performs began a play reading series, culling new scripts from the Coachella Valley, New York, and Los Angeles. Plays were read over the course of several months and audiences rated them. After scores were tallied, Dezart Performs staged performances of audience favorites. The process begins again in October, when audience favorites from last year are presented, fully staged, Oct. 21-23. Play readings take place Sept. 25, Dec. 10-11, and April 15, 16, 22, and 23.
GROVES CABIN THEATRE
8768 Desert Willow Trail
Morongo Valley, CA
760-365-4523
www.grovescabintheatre.org
Founded in 1985, this intimate 20-seat venue in nearby Morongo Valley presents critically acclaimed but usually lesser known shows on a sporadic schedule. Check their website throughout the year for schedule and updates for their 2010-11 season.
HI-DESERT CULTURAL CENTER
61231 Highway 62
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
760-366-3777
www.hidesertculturalcenter.com
The Hi-Desert Cultural Center was founded in 1967 in the eclectic town of Joshua Tree, and has been promoting cultural arts in the Morongo Basin ever since. Upcoming productions include The Patient, Oct. 24; Scotland Road, Nov. 21; A White Christmas in the Blak Box, Dec. 11-20; and No Way to Treat a Lady, April 3.
INDIAN WELLS THEATER
37500 Cook Street
Palm Desert, CA 92211
760-341-2883, ext. 78154
http://pdc.csusb.edu
The Indian Wells Theater is a beautifully designed 300-seat performing arts theater. The theater has in the past hosted a Broadway play series, the Indian Wells Pops Orchestra and other musicians, and a distinguished speaker series. Upcoming 2011 productions include My Life Upon a Wicked Stage, Jan. 21-23; Betty Davis Speaks, Jan. 27-Mar. 20; and The Leopard: The Hemingway Play, Jan. 31-Mar. 23.
PALM CANYON THEATRE
538 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-323-5123
www.palmcanyontheatre.org
Palm Canyon Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theater presenting shows year-round. The schedule leans toward well-known musicals with the occasional play. Experimental works are also presented as part of the theatre’s Second Stage series.
The theater doesn’t operate on a Broadway budget, so theatergoers shouldn’t expect Broadway-caliber productions. However, the shows are well produced and enjoyable, and tickets are reasonably priced. Shows scheduled for the 2010-2011 season are: Cats, Oct. 8-24; Rumors, Nov. 12-21; Annie, Dec. 3-19; The Producers, Jan. 29-Feb. 14; AIDA, Feb. 25-March 13; The Skin of Our Teeth, March 25-27; Camelot, April 8-24; Rent, May 6-22; and Fame, July 7-17.
THE PLAYHOUSE AT INDIAN WELLS
760-360-9191
The Playhouse at Indian Wells, formerly La Quinta Playhouse, is in a state of flux, seeking a new permanent location and developing a new website. That said, at least two shows are scheduled for the 2010-11 season, both at the stunningly beautiful Indian Wells Club in Indian Wells. On March 19, the Playhouse presents Murder on the Back-Nine, an interactive murder mystery where the audience dines and participates in solving a mystery. On April 2, the Playhouse presents April Fool’s a Day Late, a comedy/music variety show.
THE SHOW
32250 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage
800.585.3737
www.hotwatercasino.com/TheShow/Info.html
The Show, at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, is one of the desert's nicest venues for live entertainment. The arena has excellent acoustics and no bad seats. The Show books primarily music and stand-up comedy, rather than theater, but it's included it in this overview in the event the casino diversifies in coming seasons. Top attractions for 2010-2011 include: Hall & Oates and Leann Rimes in October; Bill Engvall in November; and Andy Williams in December.
THEATRE 29
73637 Sullivan Road
Twentynine Palms,
760-341-4151
www.theatre29.com
Located near the Marine base in the High Desert, Theatre 29 is a bit of a drive. But the company mounts enjoyable shows, and ticket prices are modest. Highlights of the 2010-2011 season include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee running through Sept. 22 and The First Christmas running Nov. 19-Dec. 18.
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