BWW Preview: Desert Theatreworks will Wreak Havoc on the IRS, as Well as on Love and Sex (Not Necessarily in that Order).

Just in time for the summer heat, Desert Theatreworks (DTW), Palm Desert's community theatre, will present the zany LOVE, SEX, AND THE IRS, from June 17th-25th.

Playwrights Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore pay homage to television comedies in the play, which takes place in the 1970's, when sitcoms ruled the airwaves. They also throw a dollop of WHERE'S CHARLEY? into the farcical plot.

Jon and Leslie are male roommates in the old-fashioned sense of the term, in the days before the so-called IRS "marriage penalty." Jon has been filing tax returns listing them as married to each other, instead of choosing the more prudent course of cheating on his taxes by presenting as his wife his fiancee, Kate, whom he will marry in a few weeks. All hell breaks loose when the IRS comes calling as part of an audit. Leslie masquerades as Jon's wife, which causes havoc when Jon's mother visits unexpectedly to meet Kate, Leslie's ex-girlfriend shows up, and the landlord tries to catch Jon violating his lease by living with an unrelated female. If this weren't enough lunacy, Leslie and Kate are having an affair despite her imminent wedding to Jon.

Lance Phillips-Martinez, artistic director of DTW, newly designated as a 501(c)(3) theatre company, says, "I feel it is important to present not just a comedy, but a really funny comedy every year." He has chosen his cast with an eye towards that result; most of the performers are veterans of other DTW screwball comedies - Stephee Bonifacio, Ed Lefkowitz, Tiffani LoBue, and Mason McIntosh all appeared in the equally zany LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR, and Mark Demry and Alden Dickey performed in CLUE: THE MUSICAL.

Mr. Phillips-Martinez is a proponent of movement theatre, which involves careful choreography of the physical aspects of a scene. In directing LOVE, SEX AND THE IRS, he says tantalizingly, "[I]n true DTW fashion, we have added a few touches to pay homage to the sitcom theme."

Unfortunately, Broadway World will probably not be able to review LOVE, SEX AND THE IRS because of vacation schedules. However, knowing the excellent cast and guessing the plans Mr. Phillips-Martinez has for the production, I wish I were leaving town after the show's premiere, instead of before.

Because of mature themes, LOVE, SEX AND THE IRS is recommended for theatregoers aged 12 years and over. Performances will take place June 17, 18, 24, and 25, 2016 at 7 p.m., and June 18 and 25, 2016 at 2 p.m.

All shows take place at the Arthur Newman Theatre, in the Joslyn Senior Center, 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert CA, 92260. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dtworks.org, in person at the Joslyn Center, and by phone at 760-980-1455. General admission is $26, senior admission is $24, and student admission (with i.d.) is $16. Groups of 8 or more should call the box office at 760-980-1455.

Next month, the company will present a "radio broadcast" of a version of WAR OF THE WORLDS, which is lighter than the original. DTW will present that show on July 22nd and 23rd.

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