2025 Reviews

#12 – Thurs., May 22 – CVRep’s Executive Artistic Director Adam Karsten presents THE WORLD PREMIER of “Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks”. Great telling of the “backstory” of the movie “Funny Girl”. A great “listen” for anyone who remembers all the players and ESPECIALLY the Hotel and the Polo Lounge on Sunset Blvd. with its elegant atmosphere and it being such a gathering place for celebrities and influential figures. Great acting with fast-paced, non-stop dialogue. There thru June 1. www.cvrep.org.

#11 – Fri., May 9 – Palm Canyon Theatre’s production of “Forever Plaid” w/ Marty Wiviott. Go sit @ the malt shop, put a coin in the table jukebox, have a strawberry shake and wander down Memory Lane for 90 minutes. Maybe you can “go home again”. www.palmcanyontheatre.net.

#10 – Ap., 26, – Palm Canyon Theatre presented “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. The outstanding work was by Sean Timothy Brown as he seemed to “channel” Jack Nicholson in the lead role. Amazing set by J.W. Layne, w/ good sound and lighting effects. “Forever Plaid” runs May 9 – 18. www.palmcanyontheatre.net.

#9. – Ap., 24 – Adam Karstens scores HUGE w/ the production of “Other Desert Cities” @ CVRep. This stellar cast presents family dynamics we can all relate to on some level and in some way. Fast-paced dialogue AND a beautiful set. Just like “home”. Runs thru May 4. www.cvrep.org.

#8 – Ap., 12 – Oh the joy of seeing “Hairspray” @ Desert-Theatricals w/ my Grangirl Shelbey Mae.  I thought I’d seen the highlight of the production when the amazing cast began singing…BUT NO, the highlight was the fabulous choreography by Ray Limon…. BUT NO, the glorious costumes were “spot-on” and so colorful and timely…BUT THEN I realized that the orchestra under the guidance of Joshua Carr hadn’t missed a beat, let alone hit a wrong note. SO, how on earth did the messages of race, age, prejudice, love, youth, blue-collar, jealousy, media, motherhood AND high school all fit into those glorious two acts? PLUS, you had to look up once in a while from the delicious cuisine of Willie Rhine to watch the stage!!!  The magic that continues to be Desert-Theatricals, that’s how. www.desert-theatricals.com. Get your brooms and cauldrons ready for October and “The Addams Family”.  It’s probably already sold out!!!!

7. 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.

6. 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.

5. 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.

4. 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.

3. 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.

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. 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 sound adjustment for the 2nd act seemed to enrich the experience for the audience. Runs through Jan., 30th.