Wear Red and Eat Chocolate!
  

2025

March Appearances 2025

#11 – DAP’s fabulous “Chase” Mar., 29 w/ John Ferrare (in Armani. lol) Kudos to David Brinkman et al.

#10 – Mar., 25 – The iconic Ruta Lee on my radio show (www.joeyenglish.com) in anticipation of her performances @ Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Mar., 27 and 28th. (www.purpleroompalmsprings.com) What a Grand Gal!!!

#9 – Mar., 18 –  Palm Springs Walk of Stars honoring Mary Bono.  Former First Lady of Palm Springs,  member of Congress and SO MUCH MORE…photo w/ daughter Chianna and hubby Steve Oswald.  Kudos and many thanks from a grateful community.

#8  – Mar., 13 – Palm Canyon’s presentation of “Victor, Victoria” was lovely on so many levels.  From the sets by J.W. Layne; direction AND costume design by Derik Shopinski; AND YES, OF COURSE, the music and lyrics by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse..what a line-up!!  Then add the actors, the singing, the dancing, the music, the hair and makeup, the live musicians, ALL you needed was a lovely desert night in Palm Springs and an after party @ Willie Rhine’s “849”. OH, THERE YOU GO. PERFECTION!!! On stage thru April 6. www.palmcanyontheatre.net.

#7 – Mar., 12 – Adam Karsten’s CV Rep’s presentation of “Jesus Christ SUPERSTAR” can’t help but be a winner, music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and it just goes onward and upward from there. Did NOT expect the “heavenly” voices from EVERYONE in the cast, WOW!! Especially Christin Byrdsong (as Judas) and Steven Grant Douglas (as Jesus) to the last member of the chorus!!! Then there was the LIVE orchestra from Stephen Hulsey (thank you for all the French Horn solos) ALL without a wrong note. Superb direction from Adam Karstens. Loved the team effort on the brilliant sets and the amazing choreography by Karen Sieber.

I know, as do we all, how the story turns out, but this production of an historical event with it’s contemporary take on the well-known plot, made me hope that this time Jesus just might make it down off that tree.  Left the theater depressed all over again about the Crucifixion…thinking a bunch of us will probably go to church this week. Don’t miss this one, and remember, Easter is coming.  www.cvrep.org

#6 – Mar., 13 – “How to Succeed In Business, Without Really Trying” @ Gary Power’s Revolution Stage Company is a return visit to the Broadway musical creation by Frank Lesser back in 1961.  Outstanding comedic physical portrayals came from Barbara Kerr and Rob Arnegard in my opinion. Billy L’Amour is in a fun category all by himself of course.  Good vocal performances from lots of the cast, especially Nicole Kennedy who shows promise on many levels. On stage thru Mar., 29. www.revolutionstagecompany.com

#5 – March 8, blessed to be @ American Legion Post 519 to honor Riverside County Sheriffs and Palm Springs Police. Kudos to Albert Mendoza, John Pickens and Amado Salinas.  God Bless America!!

#4 – Sun., Mar., 8 “Bitchiest Brunch” @ Dan Gore’s “Oscars” and the amazing performances of Cheyenne Demure and the legendary Lawanda Jackson. BEST DRAG SHOW EVER. www.oscarspalmsprings.com

#3 – Mar., 7 – Saw “Oliver” @ Desert-Theatricals w/ Grangirl Alea who flew in from Denver for the show. You don’t often see such a wonderful, cohesive group of actors that achieve such a memorable performance on so many levels.  From the last member of the chorus to the brilliant violin and French Horn in the orchestra, this production is magical.  Outstanding choreography, singing, acting, tech support, staging, costumes et al, resulted in a magnificent production.  And then there was the food from Willie Rhine. “May I have some MORE, please”.  Kudos to Ray and Josh AGAIN. www.desert-theatricals.com.

#2 – Remembering my Mother, Lucy Ella Armstrong Marquis 10.18.1913 – 3.6.2006. Pictured w/ me, Tyler (@ 15) on her 90th bday in 2003.
#1 – Sat., Mar., 1 – w/ Karen and Tony Barone en-“joeying” a glorious reception @ their home (aka their art museum).  We are so blessed to have them in our zipcode.

February Appearances 2025

11. R.I.P. Gene Hackman. (Jan., 30, 1930 – Feb., 26, 2025) Such talent, such range, such productivity, such loss. 
10. Thurs, Feb., 27 Hear TCM’s Dave Karger on the show sharing his fantastic “heartbeats” in the  “Talk of Stars” hour-long interview. Now you’ll know “the rest of the story”. Just Wonderful!!!
9. Friday Feb., 21, w/ Ruta Lee (the Catholic) and myself (the Methodist) “reading” @ Temple Isaiah for Shabbat Services w/ the Cutlers – Cantor Chelsea and Rabbi Jerry. (pictured here) Blessings on so many levels. www.creativeartstemple.org
8. Tues., Feb., 18 @ Gary Powers’ Revolution Stage Company w/ “Gypsy” Haake to see their production of “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike”. Lots of fast dialogue from middle-aged siblings in this Tony Award-winning play.  www.revolutionstagecompany.com
7. Wed., Feb., 19., another one of Gypsy’s 93rd birthday parties.  This one @ Jerry Keller’s “LuLu California Bistro” w/ Joey, Dan Gore, Beth Robbins and Ruta Lee. BEST PARTY EVER!!!!
6. Mon., Feb., 17 – The first of several bday parties for Gypsy (93 on 2.14), Lalo (64 on 2.17) and Werner (71 on 2.23) up @ Steve and Lalo’s in Yucca Valley.  WHAT A VIEW. Lalo’s family made the most amazing food for us. Lots of champagne and red velvet cake too.
5. Sat., Feb., 15 – Touring one of Christopher Kennedy’s amazing projects as part of Modernism Week’s – “Old and New” series of his.  I WANT THIS ONE!!! 
4. Fri., Feb. 14 Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Wear Red and Eat Chocolate FOR CERTAIN!!!
3. Fri., Feb., 14 – My “Mimi” Ilda Cecilia Widner Marquis Smith was born 2.14.1893 and died 4.15.1975.  (Valentine’s Day to Tax Day) What a character she was!!!  Miss her.
2. Fri., Feb., 7 w/ Marty Wiviott for the Palm Cyn. Theatre’s production of “My Fair Lady”. Outstanding performances on every level by Mark Almy (Henry Higgins), Shel Safir (Col. Pickering), Se Layne (Elize Doolittle) and Glenn Liggett (Alfred Doolittle), all with those tough English accents that just once in a while got a bit “Southern”,  but the standout vocal performance for this reviewer was Noah Wahlberg (Freddy Eyinsford-Hill).  Watch for this young man as he gets a bit more experience and exposure under his belt. I’d love to see him on Broadway someday. “My Fair Lady” runs thru Mar., 2.  Directed, choreographed and costumed by Derik Shopinski w/ fabulous sets by J.W. Layne. Take the whole family. www.palmcanyontheatre.net
1. Hear legendary photographer Michael Childers on my radio show talking about “My Husband Makes Movies”. AND see the series @ the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Mondays. www.psculturalcenter.org

January Appearances 2025

6. Fri., Jan., 31 w/ Marty Wiviott and Ruta Lee @ Revolution Stage Company for the celebration of Carol Channing and “Hello Dolly”.  www.revolutionstagecompany.com
5. Thurs., Jan., 23 w/ Marty Wiviott enjoying CV Rep’s glorious production of “Light in the Piazza”.  Don’t miss this.  Runs thru Feb., 9. www.cvrep.org
4. Mon., Jan., 20, Today we say God Bless America!!!! Welcome to the “Golden Age” of America, AND also to Martin Luther King, Jr., Day AND also to my grandson Trent’s 21 birthday. What a day!!  A day never to be forgotten on so many levels. AMEN!!!
3. Thurs., Jan., 16 w/ Marty Wiviott @ Revolution Stage Company www.revolutionstagecompany.com for their ambitious production of “Spring Awakening”. For a play that has it roots in an 1891 work it is still very relevant for teenagers living anywhere along that time line. Non-stop singing w/ great choreography by Nathan Wilson, the large cast of equally talented actors does a fine job, always aided by RSC’s amazing technology. A strong 2nd Act enriched the experience for the audience. Runs through Jan., 30th.
2. Listen to another fabulous interview w/ the incredible Del Shores on the Joey English Radio Show.  AND don’t miss his “A Very Sordid Wedding” @ the Palm Canyon Theatre Jan., 17 – 26. www.palmcanyontheatre.org and www.delshoresfoundation.org
1. Sending prayers to the victims of the horrific fires in Los Angeles and beyond.
Rest in Peace

R.I.P. Pope Francis 12.17.36 – 4.21.25

R.I.P. Wink Martindale, “The King of the Television Game Show”. 12.4.1933 – 4.15.2025

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