Script2Stage2Screen Will Close Its Doors in June 2024

—by Audrey Liebross

Script2Stage2Screen (S2S2S), the theatrical group of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert (UUCOD) in Rancho Mirage, California, has announced that it is shutting down its operation on June 30, 2024. S2S2S’s last production, Engagement Rules, will close on June 22nd. In its fifteen financially and critically successful seasons, S2S2S has presented over one hundred  original plays and produced two motion pictures, and a documentary on marriage equality.

Image from the upcoming production of Life, Love, and the Pursuit.

Shirley LeMaster, Company Manager and chairperson of the S2S2S Executive Committee Committee, noted that the company has received script submissions from all over the world. She said, “We’ve had an extraordinary run providing unique fully-staged readings of new scripts, utilizing props, costumes and sets.” Ms. LeMaster and her husband, Terry LeMaster, have been involved with S2S2S since its 2010 inception, both as actors and as Executive Committee members.

Image from upcoming Life, Love, and the Pursuit.

Over the years, S2S2S has received numerous Desert Star Awards from the Desert Theatre League, which recognizes excellence in local productions. “From the ridiculous to the sublime, we had something for everybody. From thought provoking, gripping drama to belly laugh comedies,” said Artistic Director Steve Fisher.

There are four more staged readings before the closure. All staged readings take place at 7:30 p.m. at UUCOD 72-425 Via Vail in Rancho Mirage.Tickets, available on the website, are $15.00. www.script2stage2screen.com. Reservations to pay by cash or check at the door may be made at script2stage2screen@gmail.com .

The rest of S2S2S’s season consists of:

Life, Love, And The Pursuit, by Shelley Chester (March 22-23, 2024) Maxine Stafford, 67, meets a successful 55-year-old writer, Ryan Allen Squire. As Maxine attempts to play matchmaker for Ryan, the two develop an unlikely friendship that changes both of their lives.

Young Playwrights’ Celebration: Main Character, by Brooklyn Rutledge (April 19-20, 2024). Cass is a completely, totally, absolutely average high school girl, definitely not anybody who would be a main character. She is overly aware of this fact, and yet, here she is dealing with all the annoyances that come from being the star of the show. 

Southlake, by Mike Byham (May 24-25, 2024). We peek in on the life-defining moments of Randall Scott – a Vietnam veteran who with his young, pregnant wife Rose settled into the quiet farming suburb of Southlake, Texas in the early 1970’s. Told through scenes that alternate between the early 70’s and 2022, it’s a story of love, regret, change and redemption. And there’s a ghost.

Engagement Rules, by Rich Orloff (June 21-22, 2024). This comedy follows the intertwined lives of two couples who have become good friends despite (or because of) their multi-decade age gap. Both couples face problems at the intersection of sexuality and spirituality, forcing everyone to face questions that none of them can answer easily.

Desert TheatreWorks has Added Two Performances of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

Desert TheatreWorks presents: 

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

ADDED PERFORMANCES 

 SHOWTIMES:  

Through March 24, 2024 

Thursday-Saturday: 7:30pm 

Sunday Matinee: 2:00pm 

Added performances:  

Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30pm & Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00pm. 

 RUNTIME:  2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.  

TICKETS: 

Tickets are available for purchase online at dtworks.org, by calling (760) 980-1455, or by visiting the box office at the Indio Performing Arts Center.

 Pricing: $38 - $40/ticket 

 PERFORMANCE LOCATION:  

Indio Performing Arts Center  

45175 Fargo Street  

Indio, CA 92201  

A NEW VOCAL MUSIC AND ACTING STUDIO GEARED TOWARDS YOUNGER ADULTS OPENS ITS NON-TRADITIONAL DOORS

by Audrey Liebross

There are a great many vocal and acting teachers and coaches in the Coachella Valley, and it’s easy to find excellent programs. But, with the older demographic in this area, it seems likely that most programs (other than perhaps at the College of the Desert) are geared towards older people. As a result, younger people who want a teacher or coach who is closer to their age might have a tough time finding someone locally.

Now there is a new acting and vocal music studio in the Coachella Valley, Coachella Valley Vocal and Acting Studio (CV Studio), taught by experienced actors and vocalists in the Coachella Valley who skew towards the younger side. And it tries to make financial allowances for “starving artists” who cannot always pay full-price. CV Studio also seeks to combine the best aspects of New York-style training and local availability.

I sat down with Christine Michele, 37, the founder of CV Studio, to talk about the program that she started with local colleagues. Christine is well-known in the Coachella Valley for both her singing and acting. She was the lead singer for a band (Christine and the Lost Keys). Christine is an alum of a two-week summer intensive course at the Actor Therapy workshop in New York. She has appeared in two independent films, local commercials, and numerous community theatre productions. Christine studies voice with Carrie St. Louis, a Coachella Valley native, who recently appeared at the McCallum, and who operates a studio in New York.

Kelly McDaniel, vocal teacher

As Christine points out, “Teaching technique vocally is changing.” Younger students may well benefit from younger mentors, who themselves learned through the new methods. Putting this idea of evolving teaching ideas into practice, the group has donated a lesson to Palm Desert Charter Middle School. Christine says, “We're looking to donate to more schools out here as well.” In keeping with this philosophy of giving to the community, Christine says, “We all try to make our rates affordable, especially to students who say they cannot afford it. And then we work with them” to make the program available.

Christine’s  colleagues at the studio in voice are Kelly McDaniel, a voice teacher whose physical studio in Cathedral City serves as the group’s home base, and vocal coaches Alisha Bates and Christian Quevedo. The acting coaches are Kudra Wagner, Patrick Wallace, and Shelby Winstead. Rebecca Rodriguez, a teaching artist, educates teachers. Kelly is the one who teaches most of the beginners, although Christian also teaches a few.

Alisha Bates, vocal coach

I noticed that Christine used the terms “teachers” and “coaches” separately. I asked Christine about the differences. She explained that, while there is some overlap, “voice teachers work on things like range, note, accuracy, breath control.” As coaches, she and Alisha “both know proper technique” and can assist with specific problems, “but a teacher more helps you [with such issues as] finding your pitch.” On the other hand, a vocal coach “generally works on improving the student’s song performance.” Beginners or intermediate students who are still learning how to sing would take lessons with a vocal teacher, but experienced singers who need help with aspects of their performance rather than with producing notes on pitch would consult a coach.

Christine prefers to work with her students in person, because she can more easily see their breath control techniques. “I travel to them or they come to my house.” Nonetheless, she will work over the Internet, if they are not in the local area. (She herself studies online with Carrie St. Louis, in New York).

Rebecca Rodriguez Christian Quevedo Shelby Winstead Patrick Wallace Kudra Wagner

I asked Christine about her experience with onstage situations where the performance goes horribly wrong – forgetting the words, or an embarrassingly clear wrong note. She said, “I don't beat myself up about anything, as I know that I worked hard to be where I'm at.” She added, “I give myself grace because we're not perfect.” I commented that this was important to teach her students. She agreed. “When we have students we want to teach them not just the vocal technique, but confidence as well.”

Christine says that she doesn’t like the expression, “Practice makes perfection,” because “there’s no  such thing” as perfection. Instead, her philosophy is, “Practice makes me progress.” She also said that she does not mind if students switch to other teachers or coaches as they focus on additional things they’d like to work on. She credits Liza Minelli with saying, “I find who's more talented than I am. And I go to them and I learn.”

CV Studio does not, at the moment, have its own web site; instead they use a “link tree,” which is apparently a new online concept. Their link tree is https://linktr.ee/cvvocalandactingstudio, where prospective students can book lessons online. In addition, there are a Facebook page, Coachella Valley Vocal & Acting Studio, and an Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/cvvocalandactingstudio/# . The studio can be reached by email at cvvocalandactingstudio@gmail.com . Also, the teachers’ and coaches’ individual Web sites also provide information about the program.

POTUS: OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE (see review in review section)

COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY

POTUS: OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE

SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE

RUN EXTENDED ONE WEEK TO MARCH 17!

Written by Selina Fillinger

Directed by Courtney Young

Featuring Broadway’s names ……

NOW: February 28 – March 17, 2024

Tickets still available

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA – February 26, 2024: In response to the demand for tickets, Coachella Valley Repertory

has extended its run of the hilarious Broadway hit POTUS: OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE

SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE. Previews are on Wednesday, February 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.,

with Opening Night on Thursday, February 29. Written by the award-winning playwright SELINA FILLINGER, and

directed by COURTNEY YOUNG, POTUS is a side-splitting, uplifting Tony• and Drama League Award-nominee

that applauds the women who somehow manage to keep things running in, and out, of the presidential Oval

Office. Seven brilliant and beleaguered women surround the president of the United States are forced to use

every desperate measure at their every resource to help him save face when his scandals spark a global crisis.

THE LINCOLN DEBATE RETURNS TO The Bent!

The play that put The Bent on the map is back by popular demand!!

The Bent theater’s THE LINCOLN DEBATE sheds new light on the long-standing question of whether or not Abraham Lincoln was gay. The play, written by Terry Ray, takes a fresh dive into the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed, a man Lincoln shared a bed with for four years and who history records as Lincoln’s “best friend.”

 Our inaugural run of THE LINCOLN DEBATE garned 7 Desert Theater League nominations including Best Comedy and Best Director, with 3 wins such as Jason Reale for Best Actor in a Comedy for his portrayal of Lincoln, and Alex Price for Best Supporting Actor as Joshua Speed.  We are very excited that both actors will be returning to the roles they originated as THE LINCOLN DEBATE closes The Bent's second season.

 
In a fresh and delightfully entertaining, funny, touching and always historically accurate way, the play draws from first source letters and diaries and examines them in juxtaposition with Lincoln’s very rocky courtship with Mary Todd, which was happening at the exact same time as the men were sharing a bed. And yes, it also reenacts what sharing a bed for four years might have been like in 1838.

“The Lincoln Debate” allows the audience to decide for themselves if there’s a letter under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella that suits our beloved 16th President.  The comment most overheard in the post-show lobby during its premiere run: “This really happened! Why haven't I heard about it before!”

PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER HOSTS “SCREWBALL SUNDAYS” FILM AND SPEAKER SERIES

The Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Film Society of Screwball Comedy (FSOSC) proudly announce that the popular revival film series, Screwball Sundays, will return this spring with an unparalleled lineup of classic screwball comedies and esteemed guest speakers. The highlight of this year's series is the appearance of legendary film critic, historian, and author Molly Haskell. Renowned for her profound analysis of the portrayal of women in cinema, Ms. Haskell’s groundbreaking book From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies, continues to influence film scholarship and inform discussion of gender in film.

 Molly Haskell will grace the stage on Saturday, April 27th, at 6 pm for a special evening screening of the Preston Sturges classic THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942), followed by a ticketed reception and book signing. Continuing her presence, Ms. Haskell will speak again, at the screening of Ernest Lubitsch’s DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933) on Sunday April 28th, at the regular series showtime of 3pm.

Screwball Sundays kicks off March 3rd with the hilarious Cary Grant classic ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944), featuring film historian and author Steven C. Smith. Each screening will feature a live introduction and Q&A following the film with Aliece Pickett, co-founder of the Film Society of Screwball Comedy (FSOSC), who will also interview each guest speaker. All speaker appearances are sponsored by FSOSC, which is dedicated to the art, science, and preservation of screwball comedy. FSOSC has a vast database of screwball comedy film information and resources, including books, that are available for enthusiasts. For more information, visit FSOSC.org.

Screwball Sundays Featured Speakers

 Steven C. Smith
Film historian, national speaker, author Steven C. Smith will be speaking and signing his book Music By Max Steiner, The Epic Life of Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer at the March 3rd screening of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lace.  Max Steiner composed over 300 scores with RKO and Warner Bros., including the score for ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.

 Mr. Smith is a four-time Emmy nominated producer of over 200 documentaries, and also authored A Heart at Fire’s Center, The Life And Music of Bernard Herrmann.

Kristen Lopez
TCM contributor and author Kristen Lopez will be speaking and signing her TCM book, But Have You Read The Book? at the April 7th screening of SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, starring Veronica Lake and Joel McCrea. 
Ms. Lopez is an entertainment journalist and the Film Editor for TheWrap. She is a regular contributor to TCM, has written for Variety, Roger Ebert and MTV, and was the TV editor for IndieWire. Ms. Lopez is the creator of the classic film podcast, Ticklish Business, now running for eight years. Her next book is set to be published in 2025.

Rob Kozlowski
Film historian, journalist, and author Rob Kozlowski will be speaking and signing his book Becoming Nick And Nora, The Thin Man and the Films of William Powell and Myrna Loy at the April 14th screening of AFTER THE THIN MAN, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy.

 Mr. Kozlowski taught comedy writing at Second City Chicago and at the Cinema and Television Arts Department at Columbia College Chicago. Mr. Kozlowski has authored two other books on the entertainment industry, The Art of Chicago Improv: Short Cuts to Long-Form Improvisation, and The Actor’s Guide to the Internet.

Molly Haskell
Legendary film critic, historian and author Molly Haskell will be speaking at a special Saturday screening of THE PALM BEACH STORY, starring Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea, on April 27th at 6pm. Ms Haskell will be signing books at an exclusive ticketed reception following the screening at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s VIP Lounge. Ms. Haskell will also be speaking the following day at the April 28th screening of DESIGN FOR LIVING, starring Miriam Hopkins, Gary Cooper, and Fredric March, at the series’ regular showtime of 3pm. 
Ms. Haskell is the author of six books. From Reverence To Rape, the Treatment of Women in the Movies is cited as one of the most influential books in film history. She has written for The New York Times, The Guardian UK, Esquire, The Nation, Town and Country, The New York Observer, The New York Review of Books, The Village Voice, New York Magazine, and Vogue. She has served as associate Professor of Film at Barnard, and as Adjunct Professor of Film at Columbia University.

Kimberly Truhler
Film and fashion historian and author Kimberly Truhler will be speaking and signing her book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s at the May 5th screening of HOLIDAY, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Holiday will be exhibited on 35mm film.

 Ms. Truhler is the founder of GlamAmor.com.  She has contributed to TCM, The National Film Registry, the BBC, Elle, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, CNN’s series American Style, the Encyclopedia of Film and Television Costume Design and American Cinematheque. Ms. Truhler has taught History of Fashion in Film at Woodbury University.

Doors will open 45 minutes before the 3pm showtime, allowing audiences to arrive early and enjoy preshow of original shorts and cartoons from the 1930s and 40s. The series is also made possible by the generous support of 107.3 Mod FM.

 Tickets are available now, and attendees can save money and bypass lines by purchasing an All Access Pass, which also includes admission to the reception and book signing with Molly Haskell.

Tickets and passes available here. 

 The screenings will take place on select Sundays at 3pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Historic Camelot Theatre, located at 2300 E Baristo Rd. The Historic Camelot Theatre is highly regarded by film fans, boasting one of the largest screens in the Coachella Valley and a state-of-the-art sound system.

MUSICAL THRILLER "SWEENEY TODD" OPENS MARCH 8, 2024

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd", an unjustly exiled barber, formerly known as Benjamin Barker, who returns to nineteenth century London, seeking revenge against the judge who framed him many years ago. Renaming himself Sweeney Todd, the now-mad man vows revenge against all who wronged him, applying his razor to unlucky customers and shuttling the bodies down to Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop to supply the pies with cheap, fresh meat. Though many unfortunate souls fall to his blade, Todd will not find satisfaction until he slits the judge’s throat and obtains his final revenge.

Palm Canyon Theatre

Palm Canyon Theatre’s production of this dark, gruesome, and ominous musical showcases 25 remarkably talented local performers, including Paul Grant as Sweeney Todd himself, Se Layne as Mrs. Lovett, Donald Kelley as Judge Turpin, Marcello Tulipano as Beadle, Christian Quevedo as Anthony, Nicole Kennedy as Johanna, Joshua Rach as Tobias, Linda Mack as the Beggar Woman, and many others. It is a triumphant, must-see production. Funny, scary, and disarmingly moving. An unforgettable tale of revenge and love.

Sweeney Todd is Directed and Choreographed by Derik Shopinski, with Music Direction by Steven Smith. Set and Lighting Design is by JW Layne with Projections by Nick Edwards. Sweeney Todd features a score by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler

Fridays: March 8, March 15, March 22 - 8:00pm

Saturdays: March 9, March 16, March 23 - 8:00pm

Sundays: March 10, March 17, March 24 - 2:00pm

Thursdays: March 14, March 21 - 7:00pm

SWEENEY TODD Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Ann Hamptom Callaway Wows her McCallum Audience

By Audrey Liebross

 I was fortunate to attend Ann Hampton Callaway’s recent concert at the McCallum Theatre. Ann is a jazz singer and interpreter of the great American songbook, and a composer who has also appeared on Broadway. Her best-known composition is probably the theme song for the television show The Nanny.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Ann this summer, when she was teaching shipboard workshops on a cruise to Alaska as part of Seth Rudetsky’s “Broadway Vacations.” Ann is a delightful person who charmed the group. When I realized that she was going to appear at the McCallum, I eagerly purchased tickets.

Ann has a magnetic stage presence. Her first number at the McCallum, “Lady Be Good,” right away demonstrated her fabulous alto voice, along with her incredible range. Despite Ann’s natural alto, she did an amazing high-note scat, as well as fabulous belts throughout the show. (For those unfamiliar with the jazz term “scat,” it is a vocal run, often improvised, with nonsense words, such as “a doobiddy bop, a beebee bop, bop, bop, bop.”) She performed songs made famous by such jazz greats as Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, and the great Ella Fitzgerald.

Ann not only entertained the crowd musically, but her anecdotes were hilarious. She did funny impressions of Billie Holliday and Sarah Vaughn, including the sassy “‘I’m Too White to Sing the Blues’ Blues.” Her impression of a trumpet sounded like … a trumpet.

Ann apparently also has chutzpah, and I mean it in the most positive sense of the word. She told an anecdote in which she wrote a song about peace that is more pop or rock than jazz, and decided that she would try to get Barbra Streisand to record it, even though she didn’t know Ms. Streisand. And she succeeded!

For more information about Ann, her website is www.AnnHamptonCallaway.com. Ann’s next nearby appearances are on March 2, 2024, in Malibu, at the Smothers Theatre, of the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts, where she will sing songs of the 1970’s. On May 31st, she will be in Las Vegas, at Myron’s at the Smith Center.

Before her appearance at the McCallum Theater, I sent Ann some interview questions by email. Here are her answers, also by email.

One way Broadway music has changed is the increased importance of the female belt — even among sopranos — as opposed to classical and folk style singing. To what do you attribute this change?

 In much of our culture today, there is a “sports” mentality- can you do the impossible? Dancers no longer just dance, they have to do back flips. Singers no longer just sing, they have to reach Herculean heights in the notes they can belt and the volume they can deliver. The collective attention span has shrunk so the shock and awe factor looms large.

 In the 40’s and 50’s, jazz was a HUGE part of Broadway music. It’s definitely not so big now. To what do you attribute the diminution of jazz on Broadway?

 The pendulum always swings back. Before I helped create and starred in the Broadway musical “Swing!” there was a lull in jazz on Broadway. But there was a sudden swing dance movement and that inspired the show. Last year, jazz got a shot in the arm when a 23 year old singer named Samara Joy won the Grammy for best new artist. To me, this is an encouraging sign that great classic jazz singing is timeless and valued, not esoteric and old-fashioned. Jazz is a sophisticated music and I have faith that it will find new ears and new voices and once more anoint Broadway with beauty. Maybe when I write my Broadway musical I will seduce the public to appreciate and love it once more.

 I really loved the cruise ship class you taught on how to do improvisational lyric writing and composing. Do you compose that way, and does it allow complex rhymes and rhythms, or does the composer have to keep words and tunes simple?

 Improv is an amazing artform that frees the imagination and the subteranean emotional life we lose track of. Many of my best songs have been improvs that flowed from me like a river. We are all capable of this freedom and I enjoy teaching people how to access that inner treasure trove. I like to say I do my best thinking when I’m not thinking.

Palm Springs International Film Festival

by Audrey Liebross

Despite being a critic of live theatre for more than a decade, I had never attended a film festival until this past week. The vaunted Palm Springs International Film Festival is currently running until January 15th, and I decided to check it out.

For the total newbies — as I said, I am one — what exactly is a film festival? According to Xochital Pena, writing on the blog Visit Greater Palm Springs, visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/blog/post/palm-springs-international-film-festival/, expected moments at any film festival include the glamour of a Red Carpet, talkbacks and interviews with industry professionals, and, of course LOTS of films. The Palm Springs International Film Society, which hosts the festival, explains that this is the 35th year of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and it certainly features what Ms. Pena’s article tells people to expect.

Unfortunately, it’s too late to camp out near the Palm Springs Convention Center to see the stars arriving for the red carpet or to attend the awards ceremony. The film-inspired dinners have also already taken place. However, the GAYLA! for the LGBTQ+ community will take place on Thursday, January 11th. January 14th, closing day, features family friendly films. The closing night screening of Ex-Husbands on January 13th features a Q&A with director Noah Pritzker and actors Griffin Dunne and Miles Heizer. And, of course, the screenings of the 180 movies being presented are going on through the end of the festival.

According to the festival’s Web site, this year, it is spotlighting Korean films. I attended one of those, a new film called Cobweb, starring Parasite’s Song Kang-ho. (This is not the same film as an English language movie named Cobweb also released in 2023). I picked Cobweb because of the site’s description of the film as a “chaotically entertaining dark comedy.” psfilmfest.org/film-festival-2024/film-finder/cobweb. Although IMDB calls the film a drama — incorrectly in my view — it also correctly says that the movie is “experimental and genre-defying.” Cobweb contains elements of horror within its farcical film-within-a-film framework, but nothing too horrific — if I can watch something without getting grossed out, almost anyone can.

The story involves a film director in the 1970’s who wants to re-shoot his ending after the movie has wrapped. However, the government censors who, during that era, operated in the Republic of Korea, are unlikely to go along with his plans, and the performers and equipment are needed elsewhere. Cobweb would work very well as a play because of the small set requirements, but the advantage of the film genre is that it is far easier to tease the audience with pieces of the story and then cut to something entirely different, the way mystery novels often do.

The Palm Springs International Film Society also sponsors a festival for short films, which will take place between June 18th and 24th. I am hoping to attend that festival, and report on those entries, which many of us never get to see, now that shorts have all but disappeared from movie theaters. For anyone who wants to see Cobweb, which I highly recommend, it is being screened twice more on the current sFilm Festival’s closing weekend.

Marley Was Dead

An Improvised Holiday Humbug… Join us for live performances on You Tube.

https://www.youtube.com/@RemotelySketchyImaginaryFriend

December 8th and 9th; 6:00 p.m. Pacific

December 10th; 2:00 p.m. Pacific

Brought to you by Imaginary Fiends IMPROV

Conceived and Directed by Ann Van Haney

Follow Us Online Instagram @remotelysketchyimaginaryfriend

Facebook @remotelysketchyimagimaryfriend

Broadway Jack-of-All-Trades Seth Rudetsky Entertained a Crowd at the Rancho Mirage Public Library

By Audrey Liebross

Broadway Jack-of-All-Trades Seth Rudetsky Entertained a Crowd at the Rancho Mirage Public Library

The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Writers series, part of the Rancho Mirage Writers Fest, recently presented a talk by hilarious Broadway guru Seth Rudetsky, at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. The talk, which discussed Seth’s book MUSICAL THEATRE FOR DUMMIES (copies of which the first 200 guests received at no cost), was more of a series of uproarious anecdotes told in Seth’s inimitable style. (Disclosure: Seth’s dad and stepmom live in Palm Desert and are friends of mine).

Seth is a show biz expert who wrote comedy for the Rosie O’Donnell Show, played keyboard for more than a dozen Broadway musicals (among them Ragtime, Les Miz,  and The Phantom of the Opera), acted on Broadway in The Ritz, and co-wrote and starred in Disaster! on Broadway. He currently hosts Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s On Broadway and Seth Speaks!, as well writing a weekly column for Playbill.com. Seth currently tours the country doing master classes and performing his one-man show Deconstructing Broadway. He also run’s Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Vacations, hosting tour groups on cruise ships. Did I mention that Seth is a gifted raconteur whose rapid speech betrays his New York roots?

With a resume like Seth’s, it is no wonder that he has lots of Broadway stories to tell in his book. And, in a few cases, he named names during the talk, although never in embarrassing contexts. (Seth and his husband, James Wesley, whom I met on their recent Broadway cruise to Alaska, are both VERY nice guys.) Seth, who told the library audience, “I love mishap stories,” proceeded to relay one about Lucille Ball, whose daughter, Lucie Arnaz, was in the audience for Seth’s talk.

Ms. Ball was starring in Wildcat in 1960, her only Broadway show. One of her co-stars had a dog who usually stayed in the co-star’s dressing room during performances, but one day decided to go exploring. The dog wandered out on stage and concluded that this was an excellent place to, um, poop. The next scene was a dance number with the dancers wearing long white dresses, and a further mishap was bound to occur. Ms. Ball, clearly a quick thinker, ran for cleaning supplies and, apparently in full view of the audience, got rid of the mess. At that point, she turned to the audience and cracked, “I should have read my contract better.”

While there were plenty of laughs during Seth’s talk, it was also educational. For example, Seth explained the differences among the three types of covering performers. (A standby only goes on for one or two leading roles; an understudy is a member of the ensemble or performer in another role who subs for a larger role; and a swing learns all the ensemble parts, including the dancing, and goes on for any missing ensemble member). The stage manager leads rehearsals for the substitute performers, but not for substitute musicians — those individuals are expected to learn their parts individually, and to be ready to go on without rehearsals.

Seth spent fifteen years as a substitute keyboardist in my favorite musical of all time, The Phantom of the Opera. He told a story about a mishap while he was in the Majestic Theater’s pit: At one point, the Phantom’s mask bounced into the pit next to Seth’s keyboard. He put it on not realizing that the masks were specifically made to fit the performer playing the role and could become misshapen if someone else wore it. His joke stretched the mask out, resulting in some very angry costume and makeup people. But that piece of hijinks was minor compared to one he described by truly diabolical swings during Audra McDonald’s last performance in Ragtime. Specifically, the swings placed beepers in the coffin in which her dead character reposes. The pranksters telephoned the beepers while Ms. McDonald was onstage in the coffin, meaning that she had to lie perfectly still while getting zapped the entire time.

For those who missed the talk, it is available to view on the Writers Festival Web site, www.rmwritersfest.org/videos/writers-series. The library’s list of upcoming author talks can be viewed at www.ranchomiragelibrary.org. Seth Rudetsky’s Web site is www.SethRudetsky.com .  Seth will perform nearby with former Phantom and Les Miz villain Javert Norm Lewis, on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Webb Center for the Performing Arts in Wickenburg, Arizona. In addition, he will appear at the Segerstrom Center’s Samueli Theater, with Lillias White, from May 16-18, 2024.

WEST COAST PREMIERE OF NEWLY REIMAGINED MASTERWORK CONTINUES THROUGH NOVEMBER 19

Coachella Valley Repertory’s new production is a love story for all.

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA (October 22, 2023) – Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s THE FANTASTICKS: A LOVE STORY REIMAGINED received its West Coast Premiere on Wednesday, November 1 at COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY. The original version of THE FANTASTICKS, which premiered in 1960, was reconceived by Tom Jones between December 2020 and March 2021. By pretending to feud, two well intentioned mothers, whose families live next door to each other, hope to trick their young sons, Matt and Lewis, into falling in love. The mothers engage the mysterious El Gallo to facilitate their plan. The boys fall in love, grow apart and finally find their way back to each other. They learn that true love is grounded in reality, not in the romantic dreams of youth, and El Gallo’s admonition resonates: “without a hurt, the heart is hollow.” In the original version, two fathers sought to inspire love between one’s son and the other’s daughter.  

“What I want is for people to laugh, and I want people to cry.

And I want people to feel different when it’s over.”

Tom Jones

The cast includes Eric Kunze (Broadway’s Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Damn Yankees) playing the role of El Gallo; Lisa Vroman (Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and Aspects of Love) playing Matt’s mother; and Wayne Bryan (Broadway’s Tintypes, Rodgers & Hart, and Good News) as Henry.  The cast also features Sadé Adoyele as Lewis’ mother; Amber Lux Archer as the Mute, Erik Scott Romney as Mortimer, and introduces Jack Mastrianni as Lewis and Eric Phelps as Matt. Craig Wells, who led CVRep’s production of Hand To God last season, is the director. Chip Prince is music director. Set design is by Jimmy Cuomo, costumes by Emma Bibo, hair and makeup by Lynda Shaep, technical director and lighting designer is Moira Wilkie Whitaker, and stage manager is John M. Galo. Christi Waldon is the fight director. 

THE FANTASTICKS is the longest running musical in New York since opening in 1960, the longest-running uninterrupted show of any kind in the United States and has been produced and loved around the world. It received an Obie Award and special Tony© Award. THE FANTASTICKS includes such touching songs as “Try to Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” and many others. In this sensitive and illuminating new version, Jones, the original book writer and lyricist, preserved the beloved score and storyline while reconceiving the young lovers – Matt and Luisa – as Matt and Lewis.

Director Craig Wells, said, “When Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt conceived The Fantasticks back in 1960 the world was simpler. The show went on to become the longest running off-Broadway musical and audiences found joy in the simple story of love found, love loss, and love recovered. Tom’s beautiful prose and Harvey’s glorious music gave audiences a chance to remember the first time they fell in love. So why change it at all? Perhaps it’s because accepting that love is love for all people can still be challenging in 2023. Fear, discrimination, and actions based on those fears are being discussed daily in the news. Or perhaps it’s because we are more accepting of different kinds of love within the human experience than we were in 1960.”

CVRep’s 2023-2024 Season includes the West Coast Premiere of THE FANTASTICKS: A LOVE STORY REIMAGINED, the World Premiere of SUMMER SESSION WITH THE BONES BRIGADE (winner of CVRep’s 2023 Origins new works program), CABARET (1998 version), POTUS: OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE (a political farce direct from Broadway and suitable for both sides of the aisle), and George and Ira Gershwin’s timeless musical, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.

THE FANTASTICKS: A LOVE STORY REIMAGINED runs November 1-19, 2023, with performances on Wednesdays & Saturdays at 2p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays & Fridays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Talkback Thursdays are held after the second Thursday performance, offering audience members the opportunity to discuss the plays with the directors and casts.

Single tickets are $50-$88 and available online at www.cvrep.org, by calling (760) 296-2966, ext. 115, or at the CVRep box office located at 68510 East Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and two hours prior to performances. Group tickets are available and can be arranged by calling the box office. In order to better serve audiences, patrons requesting accessibility assistance are encouraged to contact the box office at least 24 hours prior to their ticketed performance.

The CVRep 2023-2024 Season is possible only because of the generous support of the following Season Sponsors: Eigh4Nine, Barbara Fremont, Sheila Harbet and Elissa Hapner, David Hood and George Sellers, Peggy Jacobs, John Monster, Willie Rhine, Andrew van Niekerk, Willie’s, and Whittier Trust. 

Coachella Valley Repertory expresses its appreciation to Nancy and Tom Cunningham, sponsors of THE FANTASTICKS: A LOVE STORY REIMAGINED. KGAY Is our Media Sponsor.

CREATIVE TEAM & CAST

ADAM KARSTEN – Executive Artistic Director

In addition to being Coachella Valley Repertory’s executive artistic director, Adam Karsten is an award-winning director for stage and screen. He has earned a reputation for the creation of stylistic works and defined concepts. While directing and producing works for the Emmy™ Award-winning performing arts series, “Live From Lincoln Center” and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Karsten’s projects, programs, films, and documentaries have aired nationally and internationally. He has directed musicals, plays and other theatrical works Off-Broadway and regionally as well as touring productions as well as many Broadway workshops.

TOM JONES – Book and Lyrics

HARVEY SCHMIDT – Music

Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt wrote THE FANTASTICKS for a summer theatre production at Barnard College. After its Off-Broadway opening in May 1960, it went on to become the longest running production in the history of the American stage and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the world. Their first Broadway show, 110 IN TH SHADE, was nominated for a Tony Award and was successfully revived by the New York City Opera starring Karen Ziemba, and later produced on Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company starring Audra MacDonald and John Cullum. I DO! I DO!, their two-character musical starring Mary Martin and Robert Preston, was a success on Broadway and on tour. A production of I DO! I DO! In Minneapolis played for 22 continuous years with the same two actors in leading roles.

For several years, Jones and Schmidt worked privately at Portfolio, their theatre workshop, concentrating on small-scale musicals in new and often untried forms. The most notable of these were CELEBRATION, which moved to Broadway, and PHILEMON, which won an Outer Critics Circle Award. They contributed incidental music and lyrics to the Off-Broadway play COLETTE, starring Zoe Caldwell, then later did a full-scale musical version under the title COLETTE COLLAGE. MIRETTE, their musical based on the award-winning children’s book, was presented at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. THE SHOW GOES ON, a musical revue featuring their theatre songs and starring Jones and Schmidt, and ROADSIDE, based on a play by Lynn Riggs about Uncle Billy and his traveling tent show on a Wild West adventure were presented at the York Theatre to great acclaim. The movie version of THE FANTASTICKS, for which they did the screenplay, was released by UA/MGM.

In addition to an Obie Award and a special Tony Award for THE FANTASTICKS, Jones and Schmidt were inducted into the Broadway Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre, and their ‘stars’ were added to the Off-Broadway Walk OF Fame outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre. In 2012, they were inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and, in December of 2017, they received the Oscar Hammerstein Award.   www.jonesandschmidt.com

CRAIG WELLS – Director

Wells worked with Tom Jones and Havey Schmidt on their revised production of Colette Collage. He has also performed the role of El Gallo. Last year, he directed CVRep’s powerful production of Hand to God.

Prior to moving to the Coachella Valley in 2020, Wells was on the faculty of the University of Vermont’ Department of Theatre and Dance. He taught classes in acting, improvisation, and musical theatre performance, and directed productions of Shakespeare in Love, Hand to God, Stupid F#@king Bird, and A Grand Night for Singing.

Wells was a professional actor in New York for 20 years, and made his Broadway debut in the musical Chess (original cast recording). He joined the Broadway cast of Les Misérables after more than a year with the National Tour. He performed regularly in the off-Broadway hit revue, Forbidden Broadway, as well as in Los Angeles (original cast recording Forbidden Broadway Vol. 3). He has appeared in off-Broadway productions of Closer Than Ever, Colette Collage, and Balancing Act (original cast recording).

His television credits include “All My Children,” “Another World,” and “Reading Rainbow”. He has performed lead roles at numerous regional theatres including Arena Stage, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Syracuse Stage, and The MUNY in St. Louis. While in Vermont, Craig returned to the stage performing lead roles in The Drowsy Chaperone, Unnecessary Farce, and Rumors at St. Michael’s Playhouse.  On IG @cewellsdirector.

CHIP PRINCE – Music Director

Prince’s New York and National Tour keyboard and conducting credits include Les Misérable, Mary Poppins, Ragtime, The Fantasticks, Deaf West’s Big River, The Gershwin’s’ Porgy and Bess, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, and Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème on Broadway. He served as associate conductor on the National Tour of Newsies and can be heard playing piano in the Broadway HD production. Prince was the accompanist for the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. Now settled in the Desert, he accompanies the men’s vocal group A Cabbello, participates in the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, and directs its barbershop ensemble. Chip is active in English Country Dancing and Contra dancing as a dancer and musician.

KUNZE – El Gallo

Broadway: Les Misérable (Marius), Miss Saigon (Chris), Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy)

Off-Broadway: Leopard’s Leap

National Tours: Miss Saigon (Chris), Jesus Christ Superstar (title role), Whistle Down the Wind (The Man)

International Tours: The Fantasticks, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado

Kennedy Center: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Additional repertory: Fun Home, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Little Mermaid, Grease, Godspell, Damn Yankees, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

JACK MASTRIANNI – Lewis

Broadway: A Christmas Story, The Musical

Additional Repertory: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Patrick), A New Brain (Gordon), The Sound of Music (Rolf), The Butcher Boy (Joe)

Training:  University of Michigan, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

ERIC PHELPS – Matt

Off-Broadway: Pip’s Island (Pip)

Regional: Leaving Brooklyn (Paul/lead), Grease (Ensemble)

Television: “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Star Trek: Phase Two”

Training: New York University: Tech School of the Arts, New Studio on Broadway

LISA VROMAN - Lewis’s Mother, Bessie Mae

Broadway: Phantom of the Opera (Christine), Aspects of Love

Off-Broadway/National Tours/Regional: Les Misérable (Fantine & Cosette),The Music Man (Marian Paroo), Kiss Me Kate (Lili Vanessi), Oklahoma (Laurey), The King and I (Anna), Of Thee I Sing (Mary Turner), The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella), Master Class (Maria Callas)

Opera: Regina (Birdie), HMS Pinafore (Josephine), Die Fledermaus (Rosalinda)

Concerts: Symphony Orchestras in San Francisco, Philadelphia (Philadelphia Orchestra and Philly Pops), Boston, Florida, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, BBC Concert Orchestra and SUNY Potsdam, 

Television: Emmy Award-winning production of Sweeney Todd (Johanna)

SADÉ AYODELE – Matt’s Mother, Mildred

Repertory: Red Harlem (Lenore), United Self Defense (Nance), Dedications (Glinda), Antigone (Teiresias), Tartuffe (Dorine), The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Two Trains Running (Risa), The Great Gatsby (Myrtle), A Christmas Carol (Belle), Neath the Hills of Bastogne (Emma)

Training: University of California, Riverside, Shakespeare & Company, Kalmenson & Kalmenson, John Rosenfeld studios

WAYNE BRYAN – Henry/Old Actor

Broadway: Tintypes, Rodgers & Hart, Good News

Television: “MASH,” “Keystone”/American History (Max Sennett), “Ring of Passion” (Nazi Youth Leader)

Producing Artistic Director: Music Theatre Wichita

Host: Wichita Arts

Director: Old Globe Theatre

ERIK SCOTT ROMNEY – Mortimer/The Man Who Dies

Regional: Something Rotten (Tom Snout), The Wizard of Oz (Hunk/Scarecrow), Cabaret (Emcee), Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (Igor & Victor von Frankenstein), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Patsy), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), A Chorus Line (Mike) 

AMBER LUX ARCHER – The Mute

Dance Repertoire: The Nutcracker, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, The Rite of Spring, Carmina Burana, Pinocchio, Serenade, The Four Temperaments, Allegro Brilliant, La Bayadere, Coppélia, Off the Wall and Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green

Dance Companies: Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Columbia City Ballet, Ballethnic Dance Company, Staibdance, Fly on a Wall

Film and TV: Netflix Raising Dion (featured dancer), EVEN: the Film (Principal)

Regional: Skaking the Tree Theatre, Made to Dance in Burning Buildings (Principal/Ava)

Training: The Actors Lab, Atlanta Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Orlando Ballet, Boston Ballet, Nashville Ballet, New Dialect, BODYTRAFFIC

COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY is a non-profit, professional regional theater. It is the only theater in California’s Coachella Valley that has Small Professional Theatre (SPT) status with Actor's Equity.

CVRep produces professional theater and educational programs that present thought provoking theatre of substance. It also offers professional level theatre training for young people and adults in its Conservatory, Writing Competition, and other meaningful, socially, and culturally relevant children's outreach programs. As a member of the Coachella Valley community, CVRep is committed to enriching the quality of life for all residents and to providing memorable experiences for the Valley’s many visitors.

THE FANTASTICKS:  A LOVE STORY REIMAGINED

Dates & Times: Wed & Sat -Nov 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

                               Thurs & Fri – Nov 2, 3. 9, 10, 16, 17 at 7 p.m.

  Sun – Nov 5, 12. 19 at 2 p.m.

Tickets:               $50 - $88

To purchase:     Online -  www.cvrep.org

  Phone - (760)296-2966, ext. 115

              Box office - 68510 East Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City

   Groups:              Phone - (760)296-2966, ext. 115

   Facebook:          http://facebook.com/CVRep

   Twitter:              @CVREP

   Instagram:         CVREP

The Desert Theatre League has Conferred its 2023 Desert Star Awards

--by Audrey Liebross

The Desert Theatre League (DTL) held its annual awards banquet on Sunday, October 1 st , during which it announced its Desert Star Awards in the Coachella Valley and High Desert. Eligible productions were those that took place during the 2022-2023 theatrical season.

In addition, DTL granted three special awards, the Sidney Harmon Award (for people who served the theatre on-stage and off), the Michael Grossman Award, and the Bill Kuhlman Award (for excellence behind the scenes), to Shawn Abramowitz, Lou Galvan, and Lynda Shaeps, respectively. It also awarded a scholarship to high school student Ben Van Dijk, who hopes to attend a college theatre program in New York City. According to its web site, www.DesertTheatreLeague.org, DTL is a non-profit corporation formed to support and cultivate theatre in the local area. Its thirty-four Producing Members consist of theatre companies (professional and non-professional), educational theatres, and dance companies. Individual Members, of whom there are now thirty-eight, include performers and others who wish to support theatrical endeavors. The 2023 Desert Star Nominations for the 2022-2023 season are as follows: (A triple asterisk (***) denotes the winners).NOTE: There may have been some spelling errors in the nomination list’s names. I have attempted to correct those when I found them. YOUTH THEATRE Outstanding Production-Musical-Youth Theatre The Addams Family - Indio High School Disney's Moana Jr. - Theatre 29***Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High School Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High School Outstanding Production-Comedy/Drama-Youth Theatre***A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Clue - Indio High School The Importance of Being Earnest - Palm Desert High School The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 - Cathedral City High School The Odd Couple (Female Version) - Palm Springs High School Outstanding Director-Youth Theatre Jonathan Epstein-Brenner - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Kelly Newhouse - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High School Britt Pannell - The Addams Family - Indio High School Stephanie Jauregui/Britt Pannell – Clue - Indio High School***Susannah Vera - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Outstanding Musical Director-Youth Theatre Julie Adams - The Addams Family - Indio High School Craig Gahnz-Kuhar - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School***Jeffrey Lesser - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High SchoolNina McGuane - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High School Bianca Stoker - Disney's Moana Jr. - Theatre 29Outstanding Choreographer-Youth Theatre Wendy Bystrzycki - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High School***Cristina McKeever-Chaney - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Chelsea Gilbert - Legally Blonde - Palm Springs High School Stephannie Jauregui - The Addams Family - Indio High School Keeley Jibben - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High School Outstanding Lead Actor-Youth Theatre Andrew Abril – Clue - Indio High School***Ethan Avalos - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Joshua Gamez - Clue - Indio High School Sammy Hernandez - The Importance of Being Earnest - Palm Desert High School Cameron Keener - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Outstanding Lead Actor-Musical-Youth Theatre Xavier Brown - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High School Bennett Creighton - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Sammy Hernandez - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Cameron Keener - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High School***Lucas Maduena - The Addams Family - Indio High School Outstanding Lead Actress-Youth Theatre***Mariana De La Pena - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Keeley Jibben - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Tia Muehr - The Importance of Being Earnest - Palm Desert High School Bonnie Saenz - Clue - Indio High School Destiney Sanchez - Clue - Indio High School Outstanding Lead Actress-Musical-Youth TheatreKatelyn Compton - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School***Kaylee Fischer - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High SchoolKelli Lozano - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High SchoolGiovanna Rodriguez - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High SchoolEva Tili - Disney’s Moana Jr. - Theatre 29Outstanding Supporting Actor-Youth Theatre Edward Anguiano - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Sergio Galicia - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School***Jinko Machado - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Jazzy Murillo - Clue - Indio High School Vincent Parra - Clue - Indio High School Outstanding Supporting Actor-Musical-Youth TheatreJoaquin Cardenas - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High School Dylan Foley - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School JJ Gamez - The Addams Family - Indio High School***Landen Hementera - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Justin Pelovello - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High School Outstanding Supporting Actress-Youth Theatre Milo Espinoza - Clue - Indio High School Morgan Licea - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School Buse Ozturk - The Importance of Being Earnest - Palm Desert High SchoolEliana Perez - Clue - Indio High School Psyche Watkins - A Christmas Carol - La Quinta High School***Sydney Weeks - The Importance of Being Earnest - Palm Desert High SchoolOutstanding Supporting Actress-Musical-Youth Theatre Abigail Cheley - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School Jamailah Jamora - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High SchoolBuse Ozturk - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High School***Larissa Rodney - Disney’s Moana Jr. - Theatre 29Valeria Sotomonte - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High School COMEDY Outstanding Production-Comedy***Barefoot in the Park - Desert Theatreworks The Lincoln Debate - the Bent A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Theatre 29The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert Theatreworks Puffs - Theatre 29Outstanding Production-Comedy - Professional ACES - Kitlyn Productions***A Bright New Boise - Dezart Performs A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City - Dezart Performs Outstanding Director of a Comedy Richard Marlow - Future Thinking - Desert Ensemble TheatreIan Ferris - Peter and the Starcatcher - Theatre 29Charles Harvey - Puffs - Theatre 29***Rebecca McWilliams - Barefoot in the Park - Desert Theatreworks Charlie E Parker - A Midsummer Night's Dream - Theatre 29Kudra Wagner - Kill the Editor - Desert Ensemble Theatre Outstanding Director of a Comedy - Professional Randy Brenner - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City - Dezart Performs Lance Phillips - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert Theatreworks Lance Phillips - Southern Fried Nuptials - Desert Theatreworks Steve Rosenbaum - The Lincoln Debate - the Bent***Michael Shaw - A Bright New Boise - Dezart Performs Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Andrew Catlin - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Theatre 29Kellen Green - Barefoot in the Park - Desert Theatreworks Anthony Nannini - The Carol Burnett Show Live on Stage - Desert Theatreworks Andrew Perkins - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Theatre 29***Jason Reale - The Lincoln Debate - the BentChip Steele - The Lincoln Debate - the BentOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy - ProfessionalEric Patrick Harper - A Bright New Boise - Dezart Performs Michael Pacas - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert Theatreworks Michael Pacas - Southern Fried Nuptials - Desert Theatreworks***Eric Zak - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit atMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City - Dezart PerformsOutstanding Lead Actress in a ComedyCarly Bateman - Puffs - Theatre 29Alana Fayth - Barefoot in the Park - Desert TheatreworksEliana Hicks - Peter and the Starcatcher - Theatre 29Shirley LeMaster - Southern Fried Nuptials - Desert TheatreworksCharlie E Parker - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Theatre 29Imelda Patu - Puffs - Theatre 29***Renee Poignard - The Lincoln Debate - the BentOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy - ProfessionalDana Adkins - ACES - Kitlyn Productions***Nicole Delsack - A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsTiffani LoBue - The Carol Burnett Show Live on Stage - Desert TheatreworksAviva Pressman - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit atMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City - Dezart PerformsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a ComedySean Timothy Brown - Kill the Editor - Desert Ensemble TheatreWillie Eide - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksLevi Hernandez - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - College of the DesertRichard Marlow - Barefoot in the Park - Desert Theatreworks***Alex Price - The Lincoln Debate - the BentOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy - Professional***Jacob Cherry -  A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsStan Jenson - The Carol Burnett Show Live on Stage - Desert TheatreworksAustin Minard - A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsRon Young - Barefoot in the Park - Desert TheatreworksRon Young - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy***Adriana Reyes - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksHeather Clisby - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Theatre 29Georgina Medina - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksRenee Poignard - Southern Fried Nuptials - Desert TheatreworksLaura Martinez - The Lincoln Debate - the BentOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy - ProfessionalDeborah Harmon - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit atMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City - Dezart Performs***Janae Kleban - Barefoot in the Park - Desert TheatreworksLea Madda - A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsBarbara Niles - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit atMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City - Dezart PerformsAlexana Thomas - Future Thinking - Desert Ensemble TheatreDRAMAOutstanding Production of a Drama***Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksBiloxi Blues - Palm Canyon TheatreDaddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreKafka's Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreThe Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Production of a Drama - ProfessionalThe Boys in The Band - the BentChoir Boy - Dezart Performs***The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsGently Down the Stream - the BentTrue West - Thought TheatreThe Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a DramaRichard Marlow - Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreRebecca McWilliams - The Miracle Worker - Desert Theatreworks***Jerome Elliott Moskowitz - Kafka's Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreMichael Pacas - Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksRalph Strangis - Biloxi Blues - Palm Canyon TheatreThe Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama – ProfessionalMiri Hunter - True West - Thought Theatre***Michael Matthews - Choir Boy - Dezart PerformsSteve Rosenbaum - The Boys in the Band - the BentSteve Rosenbaum - Gently Down the Stream - the BentMichael Shaw - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama***John Corr - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreWinston Gieseke - Daddy’s Dyin’: Who's Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreKevin Hayles - True West - Thought TheatreJason Reale - Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksEddie Stephens - The Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama - ProfessionalAndre G. Brown - Choir Boy - Dezart PerformsJohn Ferrare - True West - Thought TheatreCharles Herrera - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble Theatre***Dennis Renard - Choir Boy - Dezart PerformsJacob Alden Roa - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsOutstanding Lead Actress in a DramaMelanie Blue - Kafka's Joke - Desert Ensemble Theatre***Amanda Burr - Daddy’s Dyin’: Who's Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreKatelyn Compton - Biloxi Blues - Palm Canyon TheatreJo Beth Henry - The Dinner Party - Sun City Shadow HillsLee Rice - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama - ProfessionalNathalie Bennett - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsLouise Ross - Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will? - Palm Canyon Theatre***Yo Younger - The Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Supporting Actor in a DramaSamuel David - Biloxi Blues - Palm Canyon TheatreLarry Dyekman - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble Theatre***Grey Forge LeFey - The Boys in the Band - the BentAnthony Nannini - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksBen Van Dijk - Biloxi Blues - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama - ProfessionalMaurice Alpharicio - Choir Boy - Dezart PerformsDan Graff - True West - Thought TheatreNicholas Hormann - Choir Boy - Dezart PerformsScott Khouri - The Boys in the Band - the Bent***David Alan Madrick - Choir Boy - Dezart PerformsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a DramaKathleen Anderson - Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreJaci Davis - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreKatrina Dixon - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksDani Jara - Daddy’s Dyin’: Who's Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreStephanie Jauregui - The Miracle Worker - Desert Theatreworks***Suzie Wourms - Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksMUSICALOutstanding Production MusicalA Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - Desert TheatreworksThe Last 5 Years - Desert TheatreworksMan of La Mancha - College of the DesertNunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksPalm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon Theatre***The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreTitanic - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Director of a MusicalRichard Marlow - GODSPELL - Palm Canyon TheatreDaniela Ryan - The Last 5 Years - Desert TheatreworksDaniela Ryan - White Christmas - Desert Theatreworks***Derik Shopinski - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreKam Sisco - Nunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Director of a Musical - ProfessionalSe Layne - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreSe Layne - Titanic - Palm Canyon Theatre***Ray Limon - Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsRay Limon - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Desert TheatricalsJanet Miller - Man of La Mancha - College of the DesertOutstanding Musical Director of a Musical - ProfessionalJoshua Carr - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Desert TheatricalsJaci Davis - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon Theatre***Steven Smith - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreSteven Smith - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreLeigh Anne Sutherlin - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsDouglas Wilson - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - Desert TheatreworksThe Michele Gaines Award for Outstanding Choreographer of a MusicalStacy Casaluci - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - Desert TheatreworksStacy Casaluci - White Christmas - Desert TheatreworksAlana Fayth - Nunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksDerik Shopinski - Nunsensations! - Palm Canyon Theatre***Derik Shopinski - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreThe Michele Gaines Award for Outstanding Choreographer of a Musical - ProfessionalSe Layne - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreSe Layne - Titanic - Palm Canyon Theatre***Ray Limon - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsRay Limon - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Desert TheatricalsRay Limon - South Pacific - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Musical/Opera/PageantDavid Brooks - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon Theatre***John Corr - The Last 5 Years - Desert TheatreworksEric Stein-Steele - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreIsaac Tollette - Man of La Mancha - College of the DesertRaul Valenzuela - Nunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Lead Actor in a Musical - Professional***Paul Grant - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatrePaul Grant - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreJames Hormel - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast -Desert TheatricalsJayde Mitchell - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Desert TheatricalsMichael Pacas - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - Desert TheatreworksBen Reece - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreJoe Savant - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Lead Actress in a MusicalTara Howard - The Last 5 Years - Desert TheatreworksCydney Krone - White Christmas - Desert TheatreworksKelly McDaniel - Nunsensations! - Palm Canyon TheatreGeorgia Smith - Little Women, The Musical - Palm Canyon Theatre***Georgia Smith - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Professional (3-way tie)***Se Layne - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreSe Layne - She Loves Me - Palm Canyon Theatre***Elizabeth Schmelling - South Pacific - Desert TheatricalsCatrina Teruel - South Pacific - Desert Theatricals***Emily Unnasch - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsEmily Unnasch - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Supporting Actor in a MusicalKellen Green - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert Theatricals***Michael Hamlin - Nunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksLarry Martin - Nunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksSheldon Safir – Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreEric Stein-Steele - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreMark Ziemann – Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - ProfessionalAlex Compomizzi - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsMichael Immel - The Fantasticks - College of the DesertStan Jenson - White Christmas - Desert Theatreworks***Derrik Lewis - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreDon Savage - South Pacific Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a MusicalBeverly Crain - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsJaci Davis - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreMichele Davis - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreKaren Schmitt - White Christmas - Desert Theatreworks***Georgia Smith - Nunsensations! - Palm Canyon TheatreVirginia Sulick - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - ProfessionalEri Gold - Nunsensations! - Palm Canyon Theatre***Se Layne - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreTiffani LoBue - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon TheatreEmily Unnasch - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Desert TheatricalsThe Bill Groves Award for Outstanding JuvenileElijah Zion Estella - South Pacific - Desert TheatricalsFabrizio Ibanez - Biloxi Blues - Palm Canyon TheatreLiam Keeran - Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach - Theatre 29Aiden Lizada - South Pacific - Desert Theatricals***Tess Phillips - The Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksSam Rekuc - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsSTAGED READINGOutstanding Production-Staged ReadingAfter Another - Script2Stage2ScreenICED - Desert Ensemble TheatreLove and Money - Desert Ensemble TheatrePrepping for Widowhood - Script2Stage2ScreenRoom 5, Motel 6 - Script2Stage2Screen***Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreThe Bold and Bob - Script2Stage2ScreenWidow's Waltz - Script2Stage2ScreenOutstanding Director of a Staged ReadingBrent Anderson - Cozy Murder - Script2Stage2ScreenMorgana Corelli - Widow’s Waltz - Script2Stage2ScreenChristopher Gene - Testing Permanence - Desert Ensemble TheatreBob Harrison - After Another - Script2Stage2ScreenStan Jenson - The Bold and Bob - Script2Stage2Screen***Jerome Elliott Moskowitz - Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreKudra Wagner - Love and Money - Desert Ensemble TheatreOutstanding Lead Actor in a Staged ReadingBrad Bryeans - Widow’s Waltz - Script2Stage2ScreenJason Hull - Cozy Murder - Script2Stage2ScreenJason Hull - Widow’s Waltz - Script2Stage2ScreenRob Kreisinger-Denk - Room 5, Motel 6 - Script2Stage2Screen***Raul Valenzuela - Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreOutstanding Lead Actress in a Staged Reading (Tie)Eliza Convis - Love and Money - Desert Ensemble TheatreMarinda Convis - Testing Permanence - Desert Ensemble Theatre***Shirley LeMaster - Widow’s Waltz - Script2Stage2ScreenShelby Victoria - ICED - Desert Ensemble Theatre***Alden West - Room 5, Motel 6 - Script2Stage2ScreenOutstanding Lead Actress in a Staged Reading - Professional***Bonnie Gilgallon - Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreTiffani LoBue - Prepping for Widowhood - Script2Stage2ScreenElizabeth Schmelling - ICED - Desert Ensemble TheatreAnn Van Haney - The Thanksgiving Play - Thought TheatreOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Staged ReadingBrent Anderson - The Bold and Bob - Script2Stage2ScreenKai Brothers - After Another - Script2Stage2Screen***Ron Coronado - The Bold and Bob - Script2Stage2ScreenCody Frank - After Another - Script2Stage2ScreenJerome Elliott Moskowitz - Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreTim Rathke - Room 5, Motel 6 - Script2Stage2ScreenOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Staged Reading***Melanie Blue - Love and Money - Desert Ensemble TheatreKimberly Cole - Prepping for Widowhood - Script2Stage2ScreenLinda Cooke - The Bold and Bob - Script2Stage2ScreenKatrina Dixon - Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreMary Ewing - Prepping for Widowhood - Script2Stage2ScreenOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Staged Reading - Professional***Deborah Harmon - After Another - Script2Stage2ScreenV.J. Hume - All About Moonbeams - Script2Stage2ScreenYo Younger - After Another - Script2Stage2ScreenYo Younger - ICED - Desert Ensemble TheatreThe Bill Groves Award for Outstanding Original WritingWayne Abravanel - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertPaul Donnelly - After Another - Script2Stage2Screen***Lindsay Jolle - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsJerome Ellitott Moskowitz - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreTony Padilla - Sherlock Holmes Confidential - Desert Ensemble TheatreCABARET/REVUE/VARIETY SHOWOutstanding Production Cabaret/RevueCOULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA…DID - Palm Canyon TheatreFrom Broadway with Love...Backwards - Palm Canyon TheatreLet It Snow - Palm Canyon Theatre***Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon TheatreSun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertOutstanding Production Cabaret/Revue - ProfessionalDifferent Drum - Music of Linda Ronstadt - Palm Canyon TheatreHome for The Holiday - Desert TheatricalsLife Is Just a Bowl of Broadway - Desert Theatricals***Mostly Broadway starring David Burnham - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Director of a Cabaret/RevueJaci Davis - COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA…DID - Palm Canyon TheatreSheldon Safir - Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon Theatre***Karen Schmitt - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertDerik Shopinski - From Broadway with Love...Backwards - Palm Canyon TheatreDerik Shopinski - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Director of a Cabaret/Revue - ProfessionalFrancesca Amari - Different Drum - Music of Linda Ronstadt - Palm Canyon Theatre***David Burnham - Mostly Broadway starring David Burnham - Desert TheatricalsValerie Perri Lipson - Life Is Just a Bowl of Broadway - Desert TheatricalsTodd Vigiletti - Home for The Holiday - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Musical Director of a Cabaret/Revue - ProfessionalWayne Abravanel - Different Drum - Music of Linda Ronstadt - Palm Canyon TheatreWayne Abravanel - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertEddy Clement - COULDA, WOULDA, SHOUDA…DID - Palm Canyon TheatreJaci Davis - Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon Theatre***Nick Petrillo - Mostly Broadway starring David Burnham - Desert TheatricalsGerald Sternbach - Life Is Just a Bowl of Broadway - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Lead Male Performer in a Cabaret/RevueChristian Quevedo - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon Theatre***Sheldon Safir - Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon TheatreEric Stein-Steele - Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon TheatreDan Venczel - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertOutstanding Lead Male Performer in a Cabaret/Revue - Professional***David Burnham - Mostly Broadway starring David Burnham - Desert TheatricalsBobby Collins - Home for The Holiday - Desert TheatricalsPaul MacKey - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertNicholas Sloan - From Broadway with Love...Backwards - Palm Canyon TheatreEdward Staudenmayer - From Broadway with Love...Backwards - Palm Canyon TheatreTodd Vigiletti - Home for The Holiday - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Lead Female Performer in a Cabaret/RevueJaci Davis - COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA…DID - Palm Canyon Theatre***Jaci Davis - Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon TheatreDelores Hudson - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertAna Rangel Ortiz - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreGeorgia Smith - From Broadway with Love...Backwards - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Lead Female Performer in a Cabaret/Revue - Professional***Francesca Amari - Different Drum - Music of Linda Ronstadt - Palm Canyon TheatreEri Gold - Songs of Love and Longing - Palm Canyon TheatreValerie Perri Lipson - Life Is Just a Bowl of Broadway - Desert TheatricalsSandra Rice - Home for The Holidays - Desert TheatricalsJennifer Vigiletti - Home for The Holidays - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Supporting Male Performer in a Cabaret/Revue***Scott Clinkscales - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreScott Clinkscales - From Broadway with Love...Backwards - Palm Canyon TheatreLou Galvan - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreRick Rowen - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertTony Sunley - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertOutstanding Supporting Male Performer in a Cabaret/Revue - Professional***Jordan Arana - Home for The Holidays - Desert TheatricalsAdam Granados - Home for The Holidays - Desert TheatricalsSherman McLaurin - Home for The Holidays - Desert TheatricalsMilt Oberman - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertMichael Pacas - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Supporting Female Performer in a Cabaret/RevuePaula Butler - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertKatrina Dixon - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreLaurie Holmes - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon TheatreJudi Russo - Let It Snow - Palm Canyon Theatre***Karen Schmitt - Sun City Our Kind of Town - Sun City Palm DesertONE ACTSOutstanding Production-One ActsBill and Laura - Sun City Palm DesertDavid and Nancy - Sun City Palm DesertDeath of Bessie Smith - Groves Cabin Theatre***DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreMarriage Play - Groves Cabin TheatreMr. Lewis and Mrs. Wexel - Sun City Palm DesertNick and Wendy - Sun City Palm DesertOutstanding Director – One ActsSusan Adler - Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Wexel - Sun City Palm DesertSusan Adler - Nick and Wendy - Sun City Palm DesertAbe Daniels - Death of Bessie Smith - Groves Cabin TheatreAbe Daniels - Marriage Play - Groves Cabin Theatre***Michael Pacas - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreOutstanding Lead Performer - One ActsGraham Bennett - Death of Bessie Smith - Groves Cabin TheatreGrey Forge LeFey - Marriage Play - Groves Cabin TheatreShannon Mary Dixon - Death of Bessie Smith - Groves Cabin Theatre***Kevin Hayles - Death of Bessie Smith - Groves Cabin TheatreKurt Schauppner - Marriage Play - Groves Cabin TheatreOutstanding Lead Performer - One Acts - Professional***Shawn Abramowitz - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreJune August - Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Wexel - Sun City Palm DesertMilt Oberman - David and Nancy - Sun City Palm DesertYo Younger - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreOutstanding Supporting Performer – One Acts***Melanie Blue - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreJean Sanchez - David and Nanc - Sun City Palm DesertMalcolm Stanley-Wolfe - Death of Bessie Smith - Groves Cabin TheatreTECHNICAL AWARDSOutstanding Set DesignBlair Dodson - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High SchoolMiri Hunter - True West - Thought TheatreKathy Karstens - Clue - Indio High SchoolKevin Maddrey - A Midsummer Night's Dream - Theatre 29Paul Mariani - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert Theatreworks***Richard Marlow - Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will? - Palm Canyon TheatreOutstanding Set Design - ProfessionalJimmy Cuomo - A Bright New Boise - Dezart Performs***Jimmy Cuomo - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsJ.W. Layne/Dr William Layne - She Loves Me - Palm Canyon TheatreJ.W. Layne - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreJ.W. Layne - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreLance Phillips - Barefoot in the Park - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Sound DesignNick Campbell - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon Theatre***Nick Campbell - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreGus Sanchez - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatrePenny Thompson - Widow's Waltz - Script2Stage2ScreenFrances Wright - True West - Thought TheatreOutstanding Sound Design - ProfessionalClark Dugger - A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsClark Dugger - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsDavid Hobday - Mostly Broadway staring David Burnham - Desert Theatricals***Chris Reba - Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsAdriana Reyes - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksGus Sanchez/Kevin M. O'Shaughnessy/Nick Wass - Kafka's Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreOutstanding Lighting DesignBen Core - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert Theatreworks***Blair Dodson/Stayg Hadley - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High SchoolKevin M. O'Shaughnessy - Kafka's Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreKevin M. O'Shaughnessy - Kill the Editor - Desert Ensemble TheatreMariah Pryor - The Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Lighting Design - ProfessionalJoel Howden - Mostly Broadway staring David Burnham - Desert TheatricalsJ.W. Layne - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatrePhil Murphy - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsPhil Murphy - A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsKeith Smith - Man of La Mancha - College of the Desert***Gavan Wyrick - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsOutstanding Costume Design***Jana Baumann - The Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksJana Baumann - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksMichelle Mendoza - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - Desert TheatreworksBritt Pannell - The Addams Family - Indio High SchoolBritt Pannell - Clue - Indio High SchoolOutstanding Costume Design - ProfessionalKathryn Ferguson - Nunsense A-Men! - Desert TheatreworksAndrew MacLaine - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreRebecca McWilliams - White Christmas - Desert TheatreworksJenny Wentworth Senior - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert Theatricals***Derik Shopinski - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreDerik Shopinski - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreJennifer Vigiletti/Tammy Vigiletti - Home for The Holidays - Desert TheatricalsThe Ron Hamm Award for Outstanding Hair and Makeup DesignStephanie Jauregui/Ashley Jauregui - The Addams Family - Indio High SchoolJessica Olwell - Shrek, the Musical - Rancho Mirage High SchoolTess Phillips - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert Theatreworks***Stephen Richardson - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksStephen Richardson - White Christmas - Desert TheatreworksThe Ron Hamm Award for Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design-ProfessionalArt Healey - The Miracle Worker - Desert Theatreworks***Anika Sanchez - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreAnika Sanchez - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreDenice Paxton/Kathryn Scott - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsLynda Shaeps - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreOutstanding PropsEdward Anguiano - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High SchoolNick Edwards - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreNick Edwards/Jackson Enzler - The Scarlet Pimpernel - Palm Canyon TheatreLouise Ross - A Bright New Boise - Dezart PerformsLouise Ross - Choir Boy - Dezart Performs***Greg Thorneycroft - The Garbologists - Dezart PerformsOutstanding Props - ProfessionalTessa Gregory-Walker - DO NOT REMOVE LABEL - Desert Ensemble TheatreTessa Gregory-Walker - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble TheatreAdriana Reyes - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap - Desert TheatreworksAdriana Reyes - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksJ.W. Layne/Trefoni Rizzi - Man of La Mancha - College of the Desert***Steve Rosenbaum - The Boys in the Band - the BentOutstanding Special EffectsEdward Anguiano - Little Shop of Horrors - La Quinta High SchoolNick Edwards - Palm Springs Getaway - Palm Canyon Theatre***Nick Edwards - Titanic - Palm Canyon TheatreBill Masco - Don’t Vote For Me - Script2Stage2ScreenMaddox Phillips - The Miracle Worker - Desert TheatreworksOutstanding Special Effects - ProfessionalJoshua Carr/Nick Wass - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Desert TheatricalsClark Dugger/Greg Thorneycroft - The Garbologists - Dezart Performs***Paul Mariani/Adriana Reyes - The Play That Goes Wrong - Desert TheatreworksAdriana Reyes - The Last 5 Years - Desert TheatreworksNick Wass - Guys and Dolls - Palm Desert High SchoolNick Wass - Kafka’s Joke - Desert Ensemble Theatre