Only seven more performances remain of Palm Canyon Theatre’s (PCT) popular, original musical – Palm Springs Getaway. The production is a nostalgic romp through the popular oasis featuring glimpses of history, icons and the celebrities who made the city famous. With a collection of well-known and original songs, the show transports audiences from the early desert landscape to the vibrant and inclusive community people know and love today – and every decade in between.
The show begins in Hollywood in the 1930s, where the protagonists, played by Ben Reece and David Brooks realize they need a “getaway” as they try to escape some mobsters set on revenge. Prompted by a mysterious fortuneteller, Georgia Smith, who suggests they visit the “Playground of the Stars,” our heroes set off on a time-jumping adventure reminiscent of the lighthearted, screwball comedy films of the 1930s and 40s.
The fast-paced farce is filled with physical comedy and campy energy, with bits of Palm Springs history and lore sprinkled throughout. Distinct music, performed by a four-piece band, era-specific dance styles, plus historic photographs and video projections as the backdrop, usher audiences down memory lane. A company of more than 30 local talents, ranging in age from seven to 80+, transform from one iconic character to the next showcasing not only decades past, but the magic that remains in Palm Springs today. Palm Springs Getaway opened in preview at PCT – to sold out audiences – last season with an original book by Cara Van Dijk and original direction and choreography by Se Layne. This season’s revised production incorporates additional material by Eric Stein-Steele and Layne.
Palm Springs Getaway 2023 Edition runs January 20-29. Show times are 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $38 for adults; $34 for seniors; $17 for students. Group discounts are available.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or other information, call the PCT Box Office at (760) 323-5123 or order online: PalmCanyonTheatre.org. The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Box Office hours are currently Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
