2011-2012 Season Palm Canyon Theatre, Palm Springs California

2011-2012 Season

For online ticket ordering click here

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PALM CANYON THEATRE'S
2011-2012 SEASON

For online ticket ordering click here

Regular show hours (unless noted otherwise) are:
7:00pm on Thursday 8:00pm on Friday,
8:00pm on Saturday, 2:00pm on Sunday

Sordid Lives A colorful family from a small Texas town must come to grips with the accidental death of the elderly family matriarch during a clandestine meeting in a seedy motel room with her much younger, married neighbor. The woman's family must deal with their own demons while preparing for what could be an embarrassing funeral. Featuring members of the original PCT production including: Judith Chapman (Young & the Restless) Mike Hadley, Se Layne, Dan Graff and Rodney Tethal. Special appearance by author/creator DEL SHORES on Friday Sept 9^th.
Sordid Lives 9/9, 9/10, 9/11

Pirates of Penzance is a comic operetta in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well-received by both audiences and critics. Its London debut was on 3 April 1880, at the Opera Comique, where it ran for a very successful 363 performances, having already been playing successfully for over three months in New York. The story concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on 29 February, and so, technically, he only has a birthday each leap year. His apprenticeship indentures state that he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, and so he must serve for another 63 years. Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic's only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.
Pirates of Penzance 10/7 - 10/23

The Mystery of Irma Vep: It is Halloween time and what could be more fun than a Victorian comic thriller all with Werewolves, Vampires, Ghosts and Mummies. Charles Ludlam, famous camp playwright, has created a horror/farce that will thrill you and guaranteed to make you laugh. The play is set in a Victorian mansion in the 1800’s. Lord Enid Hillcrest is bringing home a new wife. The shadow of his former wife, Irma Vep, looms over Hampstead Heath. Sounds stuffy? Not in the least!
Mystery of Irma Vep 10/28, 10/29, 10/30

The Fantasticks is a 1960’s musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. It tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the play "The Romancers" ("Les Romanesques") by Edmond Rostand, concerning two neighboring fathers who trick their children, Luisa and Matt, into falling in love by pretending to feud and erecting a wall between their houses. The fathers then hire traveling actors to stage a mock abduction, so that Matt can heroically seem to save Luisa, settling the supposed feud and securing their fathers' blessings (which of course the young lovers have really had all along). After the children discover the deception, they reject the arranged love match. Each goes off to experience the wider world. They return to each other bruised but enlightened by their journeys, realizing that they have always been in love, and renew their vows with more maturity. Elements of the play are ultimately drawn from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, its story winding its way through Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore and Rostand's play.
The Fantasticks 11/10 - 11/20 (only 2 weeks)

White Christmas is a musical based on the Paramount Pictures 1954 film of the same name. The libretto is by David Ives and Paul Blake, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The original production starred Brian D'Arcy James, Anastasia Barzee, Meredith Patterson, and Jeffry Denman. After leaving the Army after W.W.II, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up to become a top song-and-dance act. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful sisters (Betty and Judy) who also have a song-and-dance act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly, is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General.
White Christmas 12/2 - 12/18

Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s. The musical's original Broadway production opened on August 15, 2002 and won eight Tony Awards out of thirteen nominations. It ran for over 2,500 performances and closed on January 4, 2009. Hairspray has also had

U.S.

national tours, a London West End production and numerous foreign productions and was adapted for a 2007 musical film. The London production was nominated for a record-setting eleven Laurence Olivier Awards, winning for Best New Musical and in three other categories.
Hairspray 1/27 - 2/12

A Little Night Music is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Its title is a literal English translation of the German name for Mozart's Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major, Eine kleine Nachtmusik. The musical includes the popular song "Send in the Clowns". Since its original 1973 Broadway production, the musical has enjoyed professional productions in the West End, by opera companies, in a 2009 Broadway revival, and elsewhere, and it is a popular choice for regional groups. It was adapted for film in 1977, with Harold Prince directing and Elizabeth Taylor, Len Cariou, Lesley-Anne Down and Diana Rigg starring.
A Little Night Music 2/24, 2/25, 2/26

Urinetown: The Musical is a satirical comedy musical, with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and book by Kotis. It satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and municipal politics. The show also parodies musicals such as The Cradle Will Rock and Les Misérables, and the Broadway musical itself as a form. In reverse pantomime style, the unconventional plotline shatters audience expectations of a pleasant ending.
Urinetown 3/9 - 3/18 (only 2 weeks)

Steel Magnolias is a comedy drama play about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. It is written by Robert Harling, based on his experience with the death of his sister. The title suggests the femail characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.
Steel Magnolias 3/30, 3/31. 4/1

Brigadoon is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Songs from the musical, such as "Almost Like Being in Love" have become standards. It tells the story of a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years, though to the villagers, the passing of each century seems no longer than one night. The enchantment is viewed by them as a blessing rather than a curse, for it saved the village from destruction. According to their covenant with God, no one from Brigadoon may ever leave, or the enchantment will be broken and the site and all its inhabitants will disappear into the mist forever. Two American tourists, lost in the Scottish Highlands, stumble upon the village just as a wedding is about to be celebrated, and their arrival has serious implications for the village's inhabitants. The original production opened on Broadway in 1947 and ran for 581 performances. Brigadoon then received a West End production opening in 1949 that ran for 685 performances, and many revivals followed. A 1954 film version starred Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse.
Brigadoon 4/13 - 4/29

West Side Story is an American musicalwith a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. The musical is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets, a white working-class group. The young protagonist, Tony, one of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular; it includes "Something's Coming", "Maria", "America", "Somewhere", "Tonight", "Jet Song", "I Feel Pretty", "A Boy Like That", "One Hand, One Heart", "Gee, Officer Krupke" and "Cool".
West Side Story 5/11 - 5/27

FAME Set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984), “Fame—The Musical” is bittersweet but ultimately inspiring story of a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. With candor, humor and insight, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today: issues of prejudice, identity, self-worth, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance. Music By Stephen Margoshes, Lyrics By Jacques Levy, Book/Libretto by: David De Silva and José Fernandez.
Fame 7/6 - 7/22

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Season Subscriptions
available May 13th at the Box Office.
2 subscriptions are available.

Broadway Musical Series (7 shows)
Pirates, Fantasticks, White Christmas, Hairspray, Urinetown, Brigadoon and West Side Story.
The early bird package which is available till June 30th is $175 a ticket. After June 30th it is $184.

Classic Series (5 shows)
Sordid Lives, Mystery of Irma Vep, A LIttle Night Music, Steel Magnolias and Fame.
This series is a limited engagement series and will be presented for only one weekend each (3 performances) The price for the package is $100 (no early bird prices)

Box Office Hours

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday to Saturday
Closed 1pm-2pm
Closed Sunday and Monday except on Show dates.

(We will be closed for 2 weeks at Christmas.)

On Show Dates
Reopens at 6:00 PM on Thursdays, 7:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays And 1:00 PM on Sundays

The Palm Canyon Theatre is a 501c not-for profit, professional,
Theatre located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive (at Alejo), Palm
Springs, California. For tickets or information call the Box Office at (760) 323-5123

Website (not external links or ticket ordering site), contributed by Joy Meredith