Kay Kudukis - Page 9

The dramatist.com website describes White Guy on the Bus thusly: Week after week a wealthy white businessman rides the same bus, befriending a single black mom. As they get to know each other, their pasts unfold and tensions rise, igniting a disturbing and crucial exploration of race.' While that is true, it doesn't even come close to describing what a powerhouse of a play Bruce Graham has written, and in the case of DezArt Performs, what a powerful and humorous production in the hands of Director, Michael Shaw and his brilliant cast of actors. So, yes, it's about a white guy on a bus, yes it is about racism, but it is not heavy (okay, some of it is heavy, but it's steeped in story). The play deftly grabs your psyche, twists it, turns it and then messes with your perceptions on race - no matter how evolved you think you are - and smacks you full-on in the face, sometimes light-heartedly, and sometimes with a vengeance. Even if you think you're woke, you might find out that you're not. We'll get into that in a moment, but first, let's discuss Thomas Valach's set.

After months of preparation and great anticipation,The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) has announced it will open their newly renovated, 208 seat, Cathedral City playhouse with the dynamic musical, CHESS - Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of the Rock Group ABBA Lyrics by Time Rice and Book by Richard Nelson.

Country music is like cilantro. Either you like it or you don't. I fall into the latter category on both. It's not a snobby thing. My dislike for cilantro, I'm told, has to do with genetics and my country gene seems to either be latent or missing. I mean, all of my friends love it, and I'd like to get with the program, I swear. And someday maybe that latent gene will kick in, but for now neither are on my menu nor playlist. So, imagine my surprise when I found myself quite enjoying the two-character musical, Honky Tonk Laundry, a celebration of all things country.

CV Rep's last production at its old space is James iJames' black comedy, White. And what a way to go.

Everyone has a secret or two stashed away. We hide them for fear of being shamed or in some cases, worse. Shame is solely the product of 'agreed upon' societal 'norms'; if we don't fit into any given box then we have an Achilles heel, something others can use to hurt or destroy us. Mean girls, churches, and government have always been exceptionally good at shaming.

The Lavender Scare - one night only at Camelot Theatre, presented by DezArt Performs

LimonCarr Desert Theatricals, in partnership with the City of Rancho Mirage, is excited to present SINATRA, FOREVER! -A Tribute to 'Ol' Blue Eyes'. The Las Vegas Sun calls it 'the closest thing to Frank Sinatra you will ever hear'.

James iJames play WHITE at CV Rep JANUARY 23 - FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Director Michael Shaw talks comedy, and more with actress Phylicia Mason who is appearing in DezArt Performs next show 'Perfect Arrangement' opening on January 11th.

Dezart Performs Continues 11th Season with Perfect Arrangement. Secret Lives set in the midst of the 1950s Red Scare is the focus of thhis dark but witty comic work by Topher Payne

CHURCH AND STATE by DezArts Performs' opening night brings the audience to their feet with a well-deserved standing ovation.

It's 12:01 a.m. and a message slides into your inbox. It holds a secret location and a hint - what you should wear - and it all means your next adventure with P.S. Underground is beginning to unfold.

'The Understudy' at Coyote StageWorks is a theatrical nightmare of comic proportions.

'How I Learned To Drive' took a circuitous route to CV Rep, but the end results are so very, very satisfying.