Kay Kudukis

What did our critic think of HILLARY AND CLINTON at Dezart Performs?

By now, pretty much everyone knows the musical Little Shop of Horrors was based on a 1960s film by Roger Corman with a “cameo” by Jack Nicholson. The film was a cult hit, and in 1982 Howard Ashman and Alan Menken published the musical of the same name.

Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, and in order to give back to the community he has lived in since 2005, Rickie McCabe, a comedian and singer, is producing a musical benefit to raise funds for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (cvrm.org), which has served the unhoused population in the Coachella Valley since 1971.

world of Little Shop of Horrors to life from November 7-23, 2024. This beloved dark comedy musical has captivated audiences for decades with its unique blend of humor, horror, and heart.

Strong vocals carry the night at Revolution’s production of the dated, but funny, I Do, I Do. With book and lyrics by clever lyricist Tom Jones, the only song you might recall is Try to Remember (also in his 1960s musical The Fantasticks), which landed on the Billboard’s 100 in 1965 not once, but three times by three different artists. 

De zart Performs’ Season 17 appropriately kicks off with the 2019 Broadway comedy HILLARY AND CLINTON by Lucas Hnath (November 15 - 24, 2024).

Joe Dipietro’s play Fucking Men explores the different dynamics between men and the thrill of anonymous sex. The comic throughline of “Why do we bang strangers? Because it feels fantastic!” propels the action, and comedy carries the night but buried underneath are some deeper emotions, and complicated situations. When the opportunity to have a meaningless encounter occurs, there is always discussion leading up to it, but there is always an encounter because… see title.

“Mid-Century Moderns,” the original 1960s jukebox musical comedy set in Palm Springs, returns October 18 for an 8-performance run at Revolution Stage Company. The show is currently the Valley’s longest-running theatrical production, with over 80 performances since its premiere in April 2022. The musical will be performed on 5 consecutive Friday evenings at 7PM, starting October 18 (also October 25, November 1, November 8 and November 15), as well as three Sunday 2PM matinee performances on October 20, October 27 and November 17.

Dezart Performs waved bye bye bye to renting space from Palm Springs Woman's Club by announcing the purchase of an Albert Frey designed church that will become their home. The theatre kept things under wrap, and the reveal was met with enthusiasm.

Palm Springs’ newest theatre enterprise, the REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY garnered an impressive number of the recently- announced DTL (Desert Theatre League) nominations.

Heading into Season 17, Dezart Performs www.dezartperforms.org, has secured 26 nominations for the 38th annual Desert Star Awards honoring theatrical performers in the Coachella Valley and High Desert communities for the 2023-2024 season. Winners will be announced by the Desert Theatre League October 20th in a live ceremony at Sun City Palm Desert.

The Season‬ opens with the 2019 Broadway political dark comedy‬‭ HILLARY AND CLINTON ‬‭by Lucas Hnath‬ ‭(November 15 - 24, 2024). Next is the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner‬‭ FAT HAM,‬‭a modern-day‬ ‭Hamlet by James Ijames (January 17 - 26, 2025). The season continues with the Off-Broadway‬ hit drama‬‭ GRAND CONCOURSE ‬‭by award-winning playwright Heidi Schreck.

What did our critic think of THE EDGAR ALLAN POE SPEAKEASY at Revolution Stage Company?

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is not just any cocktail experience. It's an extraordinary journey that transports guests into the haun=ng world of one of the most famous writers of the macabre. This 21+ only event promises an evening of chilling tales and exquisite cocktails, all set within the confines of a dark, intimate speakeasy. If you're a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, gothic literature, or simply enjoy unique, immersive experiences, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Script2Stage2Screen (S2S2S) presents a fully staged reading of a new original comedy, Engagement Rules, written by Rich Orloff. The two performances will be on Friday and Saturday, June 21 and June 22, at 7:30 pm.

What did our critic think of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW at Palm Springs Cultural Center?

Three couples find out they’re pregnant. One 30-something-ish couple, Pam (Heather Joy) & Nick (Jacob Samples) has been trying; one older couple, Arlene (Sonia Reavis) & Alan (Michael Pacas) had an oops; and a couple of college juniors, songwriters Lizzy (Candace Coe) & Danny (Joseph Portoles) are our main characters The story follows each couple’s reactions, and wouldn’t you know it, the girls are all connected by an obstetrician (Jason Ayestas) and his nurse (Katrina Dixon) and the boys by …little league? I don’t know - some sports thing.

Known for its outstanding and award-winning production of plays, Dezart Performs is expanding its repertoire with a new intimate summer event, CABARET AT THE PEARL, presenting Straight To The Heart, a 90-minute celebration of the lives and careers of songwriting team Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.

The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) announced that is has now selected all of the cast members for the three plays it will present at the upcoming Festival, which will take place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on June 9, 2024 at 12 PM. This free annual Festival will showcase original plays created by three area students which will be performed as staged readings using professional actors and directors.

Nicolas Dromard & Desireé Davar premiered their cabaret show From Broadway to Hollywood Saturday night at Oscar’s to a packed and very receptive house. The concept of the show is literally their journey from Broadway to Hollywood, covering how they met, how he proposed, some terrific and appropriate songs along the way and a lot of tap dancing (more on that later).