The Palm Canyon Theatre Celebrates The Rhythm Of Life With Tony Winning Musical SWEET CHARITY

Originally directed and choreographed by directing and dancing legend Bob Fosse, Sweet Charity at the Palm Canyon Theatre is focused on bringing that Fosse style to Palm Springs. Choreographer Stephanie Eley, a stage veteran, is sharing her expertise with dancers from various studios across the valley and many College of the Desert students. Eley was in the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls and My One and Only, and performed in the national and international tours of A Chorus Line from 1977-1980. With dance number after dance number, this is sure to be a show not to be missed as PCT winds down its 20th Anniversary Season.

PCT's Sweet Charity cast is full of company favorites including Se Layne as Charity, Ben Reese as Oscar, Allegra Angelo as Nikki, as well as Kate Antonov, Leslie Benjamin, Sophie Brown and others featured in dancing roles. The show is directed by Scott Smith with musical direction by Steven Smith, who will lead a live quartet of talented musicians. Sets and lighting designs are by J.W. Layne, co-artistic director of PCT. Derik Shopinski is the show's costume designer.

Sweet Charity is based on Federico Fellini's screenplay Nights of Cabiria, which was later written for the stage by Neil Simon with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The musical centers around a dancer-for-hire at a Times Square dance hall. "Sweet" Charity Hope Valentine wants to be loved so much that she's lost sight of who she is, as she muddles through a deceptive world in the Big Apple.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 1966, where it was nominated for 9 Tony Awards, and also ran in the West End as well as having revivals and international productions. Memorable numbers include "Big Spender," "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "Too Many Tomorrows," "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This," "I'm a Brass Band" and "Baby, Dream Your Dream."

Sweet Charity opens at the Palm Canyon Theatre Friday, March 31, and runs through Sunday, April 16.Regular show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $32-$36. Student tickets are $15, with valid ID; student tickets must be purchased at the Box Office.

For tickets or more information, call the Palm Canyon Theatre Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online: www.palmcanyontheatre.org. The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

About the Palm Canyon Theatre:

The Palm Canyon Theatre is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the education of live stage production and the enrichment of the greater Palm Springs community and its visitors. The regional repertory theater company operates primarily with volunteers and produces about 13 Broadway musicals and classic plays each year, plus offers a children's theatre camp and production. The theatre opened its doors in 1997 when Dr. William "Bill" Layne and his family renovated the historic Frances S. Stevens School located at the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road in Palm Springs, Calif.

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