Previews: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at Dezart PerformsDecember 12, 2023Heidi Schreck is Dezart Performs first production of 2024, running January 19 – 28. Part history lesson, part family drama, the Tony Award Nominee and Pulitzer Prize Finalist is a “boundary-breaking play that breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans” (Forbes).
Previews: BONES BRIGADE at CVRepNovember 26, 2023COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY has announced casting for its World Premiere production of SUMMER SESSION WITH THE BONES BRIGADE, a dramatic original work by playwright KIRBY FIELDS. Adam Karsten, CVRep Executive Artistic Director, is directing SUMMER SESSION WITH THE BONES BRIGADE.
Review: OFF THE STREETS at Revolution Stage CompanyNovember 17, 2023What did our critic think of OFF THE STREETS at Revolution Stage Company? It’s not often you get to see a new piece of work that not only has a profound message, but has fantastic music and talent to match. Tuesday night I did.
Review: THE THANKSGIVING PLAY at Dezart PerformsNovember 5, 2023When creating his season, Dezart Performs Artistic Director Michael Shaw always reaches for top shelf ingredients, but he’s mixed up a delicious cocktail of woke hilarity in Larissa Fasthorse’s marvelous The Thanksgiving Play.
Previews: THE THANKSGIVING PLAY at Dezart PerformsOctober 20, 2023Four well-intentioned but terminally “woke” theatre artists meet in the rehearsal room at an elementary school to create a pageant that will somehow celebrate both Turkey Day and honor Native American Heritage Month. What could go wrong? The question should probably be a statement of “nothing goes right” in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY by Larissa FastHorse which opens Dezart Performs 16 th Season, November 3 – 12. FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation) is the first Native American woman to have a show produced on Broadway.
Review: NOT IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN at Revolution Stage CompanyOctober 17, 2023What did our critic think of NOT IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN at Revolution Stage Company? According to Gnostic philosopher Samael Aun Weor, the Age of Aquarius began on February 4, 1962 and in 1967 the song about it, “Aquarius”, from the musical Hair became the anthem for what would surely be the beginning of an age that heralded harmony and understanding. Right?
Previews: THE FANTASTICKS at CVRepOctober 17, 2023What happens when a much-loved play or musical is reimagined? If you set Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the 1950s, does that mean it has been reimagined? Could you set My Fair Lady during the Depression and consider that reimagined? The musical Cabaret has lended itself to various interpretations that differ from the original production, even if the script hasn’t been altered at all. And recently, with the permission of Stephen Sondheim, a production of his musical Company changed the lead’s gender from Bobby to Bobbie, allowing a woman to play the role for the first time.
Previews: MID CENTURY MODERNS at Revolution Stage CompanySeptember 27, 2023Dan Gelfand, co-producer of “Mid-Century Moderns,” announced today the return of the hit jukebox musical in a new theatrical space, the Revolution Stage Company, in downtown Palm Springs near Revivals. Beginning Friday, October 6, the show will play for 8 consecutive weekends of Friday evening performances followed by Saturday and Sunday matinees.
Previews: THE DREAMBOATS at Revolution Stage CompanySeptember 11, 2023Palm Springs’ newest theatre venture, the Revolution Stage Company (RSC), a 501c3 non-profit, kicks-off their first, exciting ‘dream’ season with a fundraiser featuring THE DREAMBOATS on Thursday, September 28 at 8 pm.
Previews: Dezart Performs Announces THE THANKSGIVING PLAY And More For 2023/2024 SeasonJune 26, 2023Building on an award winning season that saw its acclaimed productions secure 96% capacity, Dezart Performs of Palm Springs (www.dezartperforms.org ) announces its 16th year of fearless, provocative, and inspiring theatre including a Pulitzer Finalist, Drama Critics Circle Award Winner, and a first ever Broadway play written by a Native American.
Review: THE BOYS IN THE BAND at The BentMay 1, 2023What did our critic think of THE BOYS IN THE BAND at The Bent?I went into this production by The Bent with some provenance. Back in the 20 teens I had the privilege of interviewing Larry Luckinbill on the 50th anniversary of Boys in the Band which was also the same year the remake came out. I watched the film. I read all about when the stage play came out in the 1960s, which is a powerful story in and of itself. I read about the playwright Mart Crowley, that there were two straight guys in the original production, and almost all of the other actors succumbed to AIDS.