There are several theater venues and production companies from which to choose for live performances. Here is a selection to get you started. Visit www.palmspringslife.com for updated show and theater information throughout the year.
McCallum Theatre
The Coachella Valley’s premier venue for live performance, McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert presents a dazzling array of plays, musicals, dance, music, and more. Noteworthy shows in the 2012- 2013 season include Rock of Ages, West Side Story, Blue Man Group, Forever Plaid, Madame Butterfly, and Steve Solomon’s “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m Home for the Holidays.”
www.mccallumtheatre.com
Annenberg Theater
The Annenberg Theater, part of Palm Springs Art Museum, presents a distinctive mix of comedy, live theater, music, and dance. Annenberg Theater opens its season with sensation Sutton Foster. Other shows include Ah Men! The Boys of Broadway starring Betty Buckley, Christine Ebersole, and Jason Graae.
www.psmuseum.org
Palm Canyon Theatre
The Palm Canyon Theatre is a not-for-profit professional company presenting shows year-round. The schedule leans heavily toward well-known musicals, with the occasional straight play to keep things interesting. Experimental works are also presented. Top shows for 2012-2013 include favorites Arsenic and Old Lace, Hair, Legally Blonde, Pippin, and Spamalot.
www.palmcanyontheatre.org
Arthur Newman Theatre
A wonderful addition to the Josyln Center in Palm Desert, the Arthur Newman Theatre reflects the inspiration and enthusiasm of community theater at its best. This season’s schedule includes Is He Dead? and Bingo: The Winning New Musical. Check their website throughout the year for additional productions.
www.pdstage.com, www.joslyncenter.org
Other venues to consider include The Desert Rose Playhouse (www.desertroseplayhouse.org); Indian Wells Theater on the California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus (pdc.csusb.edu/eventstheater/index.htm); Indio Performing Arts Center (www.indioperformingartscenter.org); Center Stage at the LGBT Community Center of the Desert (www.thecenterps.org), which opens with Megan Mullally; and, of course, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies (www.psfollies.com) at Plaza Theatre, featuring a cast 55 to 85 years young.
Can't Miss
Sutton Foster
November 17, 2012
The talented Sutton Foster opens Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater season. Recipient of Tony awards for roles in Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie, Foster currently stars in the ABC Family series Bunheads.
www.psartmuseum.org
Moscow Classical Ballet’s The Nutcracker
December 18, 2012
Bring the entire family and celebrate the holidays with the beauty and wonder of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet at McCallum Theatre.
www.mccallumtheatre.com
ARIAS IN THE AFTERNOON
Opera in the Park April 7, 2013
Festival of Opera and Art April 14, 2013
Lounge in the cool shade of trees, tents, and umbrellas while enjoying arias and more. Two events offer afternoons of free opera and other musical genres, plus food, wine, art, and vendors. In Palm Springs, Opera in the Park (www.palmspringsoperaguild.org) takes place at Sunrise Park. The following weekend, enjoy the Festival of Opera and Art (www.operaartspalmsprings.org) at Palm Desert’s Civic Center Park.