BWW Previews: DEZART PERFORMS Announces Exciting 2015-16 Season

Dezart Performs' eighth season of innovative theatrical works in the Coachella Valley opens on November 13, 2015, and it will be the dynamic performing arts group's biggest and best ever, promises Artistic Director Michael Shaw. What makes the 2015/2016 season so special is that not just two, but three provocative plays will be produced on Dezart Performs' home stage at the Pearl McManus Theater (in the historic Palm Springs Woman's Club)-one of them a World Premiere. In addition, the immensely popular, celebrity-studded benefit gala, "On The Air! An Evening of Radio Show Classics," will return to The Camelot Theatres for one night only on March 17, 2016.

January 22,, 2016 is the date that the drama-comedy "Suicide Dogs" will receive its World Premiere. The play was the winner of the Seventh Annual Play Reading Festival, thus earning a full production in the current season. According to Shaw, there is a strong possibility that New York City-based playwright Jess Honovich will be able to come for the premiere.

The season opener, "The Receptionist," is an off-Broadway comedy by Obie Award-winning playwright Adam Bock, and closing out the season is Bruce Graham's off-Broadway drama "The Outgoing Tide," winner of Chicago's Jefferson Award.

Season tickets go on sale June 26 at 8:00 a.m. A 2-show "Applause" package is $43-$50, and the 3-show "Ovation" package is $62-72. Individual tickets go on sale August 28 at 8:00 a.m. Evening performances are $28, matinees $24. "On The Air!" tickets range from $35 to $75. Ticket purchases can be made online at www.dezartperforms.org or by calling (760) 322-0179.

"Last season's offerings took audiences back in time to the innocence of the 1950s and the loss of that innocence in the 1960s. The three plays of this season provide a more thoughtful, and often humorous, look at the dramatic changes, political and personal, of the new century," Shaw noted.

Information on all four productions is as follows:

THE RECEPTIONIST

A dark comedy written by Adam Bock

At the start of a typical day in the Northeast Office, Beverly, the matronly receptionist, deals effortlessly with ringing phones and the typical mundane office existence of coffeemakers, bagels and gossip. But the appearance of charming Mr. Dart from the Central Office disrupts the friendly routine. As the true nature of the company's business becomes apparent, "The Receptionist" raises grave, provocative questions about the consequences of complicity with evil.

Runs November 13-22, 2015 (Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 PM)

SUICIDE DOGS

The world premiere of a drama-comedy written by Jess Honovich

The winner of Dezart Perform's Seventh Annual Play Reading Festival, "Suicide Dogs" finds Amelia and her family arriving in Florida to prepare for the funeral of her golf pro brother, only to learn that she is now also responsible for his very famous and very sick dog, Driver.

Runs January 22-31, 2016 (Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 PM)

ON THE AIR ! An Evening of Radio Show Classics

This annual gala event benefiting Dezart Performs returns for a third year at Palm Springs' Camelot Theatres. The cast of celebrity performers will once again recreate on stage some of radio's funniest and most memorable shows from the 1940s and '50s. Complete with vintage microphones, "on the air" and "applause" signs, the actors, musicians and sound effects crew will provide a delightful new evening of non-stop entertainment. Directed for a third straight year by Gregg Oppenheimer.

One-Night Only Event - Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 7:00 PM

THE OUTGOING TIDE

A drama written by Bruce Graham

In a summer cottage on Chesapeake Bay, senior Gunner has hatched an unorthodox plan to secure his family's future but meets with resistance from his wife and son, who have plans of their own. As winter approaches, the three must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding-before the tide goes out. This drama hums with dark humor and powerful emotion.

Runs April 22-May 8, 2016 (Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 PM)

For more information about Dezart Performs and the upcoming 2015/2016 season, go to www.dezartperforms.org or call (760) 322-0179

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