GODSPELL's Hunter Parrish Joins Annenberg Theater's 'WHEN YOU BELIEVE' Stephen Schwartz Tribute, 5/19

Hunter Parrish, who previously starred in the Broadway revival of GODSPELL, has joined the starry talent lineup of When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz on May 19 in Palm Springs.

The 8 PM event, which will be held in the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, will feature a conversation with multiple Academy Award winner Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits. He will be presented with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award.

Directed and moderated by Scott Logsdon (LES MISERABLES), the evening will include performances from Tony nominee Andrea McArdle (Broadway's original ANNIE), Kate Flannery (NBC's THE OFFICE), Pamla Vale Abramson, Melissa Batalles, Garrett Hoy, Ben Reece and Laura L.Thomas. Joel Baker will be the musical director and accompanist.

Parrish will be presenting Schwartz with the proclamation from Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, declaring May 19th as "Stephen Schwartz Day". Oscar winner Dean Pitchford, who appeared on Broadway as Jesus in GODSPELL during its original run and as PIPPIN on Broadway, will be presenting Schwartz with the Melpomai Award.

Hunter Parrish recently made his highly anticipated return to Broadway as Jesus in the revival of GODSPELL. He made his Broadway debut to critical acclaim as Melchior, the smart and sexy young hero in the Tony Award-winning hit musical "Spring Awakening".

He is one of the stars of Showtime's critically acclaimed show "Weeds". He stars as Silas Botwin, opposite Mary Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, and Kevin Nealon.

Parrish has starred in director Nancy Meyers' 2009 hit, "It's Complicated" opposite Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. Parrish has also starred in Burr Steers' "17 Again" opposite Zac Efron, Matthew Perry and Leslie Mann and Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney's "Paper Man" opposite Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Daniels and Lisa Kudrow.

His other film credits include Richard LaGravenese' "Freedom Writers" opposite Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey; Barry Sonnenfeld's "RV" opposite Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels and Kristen Chenoweth; David Jacobson's Independent feature "Down in the Valley" opposite Edward Norton and Evan Rachel Wood; Joe Nussbaum's "Sleepover" and Melissa Painter's "Steal Me" which garnered him a 2005 Los Angeles Method Fest award for Best Actor.

On the small screen, Parrish guest starred on NBC's successful crime drama "Law and Order: SVU", CBS' hit drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", and CBS' drama "Close to Home".

Schwartz, who is currently represented on Broadway with the long-running musical WICKED and the revival of GODSPELL, is also known for his work on PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER'S WIFE, WORKING, CHILDEN OF EDEN and his recent opera SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, among others. He has won Academy Awards for his work on POCAHONTAS and THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and is also a five-time Tony nominee and four-time Grammy winner.

DETC presents classic and contemporary performances reflecting both the voice of the Coachella Valley and national trends in the arts. Through productions and arts outreach, DETC entertains, educates and inspires Coachella Valley residents. The Melpomai Award will be given annually to honor excellence in the development of theatre nationally.

Tickets for “When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz” are available through the Annenberg Theater, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. Tickets cost $55, $65 and $75. The Annenberg Theater box office can be reached at (760) 325-4490 or online at http://www.psmuseum.org.