David Green - Page 5

The McCallum Theatre welcomes YouTube sensation The Piano Guys back to the Coachella Valley, for three exciting shows: At 8:00 pm, Friday, January 17; and 2:00 and 8:00 pm, Saturday, January 18. The January 17 show is made possible through the generosity of Dan and Brooke Koehler. The Piano Guys are one of the most popular acts on social media today. The quartet has earned a whopping 1.6 billion-plus views on YouTube, along with 6.65 million subscribers. Not bad for four Utah dadsa?"Paul Anderson (producer/videographer); Jon Schmidt (pianist/songwriter), Steve Nelson (cellist/songwriter) and Al van der Beek (producer/songwriter)a?"who got their start when Paul was looking for a way to promote his St. George, Utah, piano store.

The McCallum Theatre welcomes Backhausdance, which recently completed its 15th anniversary season, to Palm Desert at 8:00pm., Thursday, January 16. The critically acclaimed Orange County dance company, which was called a?oehypnotic, ethereal, powerfula?? by The Orange County Register, will be presenting three pieces in this special McCallum performance. The show will begin with choreographer and artistic director Jennifer Backhaus'Hive (2017), a percussive and intricate repertory piece, performed to the music White Man Sleepsby Kevin Volans and performed by Kronos Quartet. A complex series of interactions, the unfolding and dissolving relationships are musically driven and create a strong, viscous group dynamic.

The McCallum Theatre welcomes the sensational a cappella group Voctave, performing its holiday show The Spirit of the Season, on Monday, December 16, at 7:00pm. The show is made possible through the generosity of Harold and Maudella Green.a??a??a??a??a??a??a?? Voctave is an 11-member a cappella group from the Central Florida area known for gorgeous performances of Disney and Broadway hitsa?"as well as beautifully arranged holiday songs. The group formed in the winter of 2015, with roots in the Walt Disney Entertainment worlda?"but the group's range does not stop there. From gospel music to musical theater, contemporary Christian to barbershop, pop music to choral specialties, Voctave voices have covered it all, both in and out of the a cappella realm.

A holiday tradition returns as the McCallum Theatre welcomes the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2019 at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 18. The show is made possible through the generosity of Wayne and Rachelle Prim. Since the beginning of his career, Koz has been all about dodging expectations and traditions. His brand-new holiday album, Gifts of the Season, is his seventh holiday release, and features the very same guests with him on this year's Christmas tour.

The Tony-nominated hilarious, hit musical WAITRESS, which opens December 6-8 has cast two young area actresses to take on the role of a?oeLulua?? during the McCallum Theatre engagement. Emma Ayeni, AGE 4, and Ellie Weinstein will alternate the role of a?oeLulu,a?? the daughter of the production's main character, Jenna. Both young ladies are from the Coachella Valley. WAITRESS tells the story of a?oeJennaa??, an expert pie baker working at a local diner and stuck in a loveless marriage.   Her salvation comes in the form of her daughter, a?oeLulu.a??

A McCallum Theatre holiday tradition, Colors of Christmas, returns on Friday, December 13, at 8:00pm with a new lineup of stars presenting a fantastic evening of holiday music and classics, backed up by a 12-piece band. This year's Colors of Christmas stars are Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, Ben Vereen and Jody Watley.

The McCallum Theatre presents Rhythmic Circus and Holiday Shuffle on Monday, December 2, at 7:0pm. There's tap dancing, and then there's Rhythmic Circus, the percussive-dance phenomenon that electrifies audiences with its hard-hitting, rapid-fire tap, humor and finger-snapping tunes. Rhythmic Circus is a troupe of internationally renowned artists, home-grown hoofers from Minneapolis that hit the road with a trunk full of tap shoes, funky costumes and a big brass band, ready to burst onto the stage with their holiday spectacular Holiday Shuffle.

The McCallum Theatre presents Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel on Monday, December 9, at 7:00pm. This performance, a?oeWarm, Romantic Music From the Cold, Far North,a?? will feature a smorgasbord of musical delights. The show kicks off with a?oeFestive Prelude,a?? a?oeThe Dream of Merry Christmasa?? and a?oeThe Spinning Topa?? by Carl Nielsen. After a?oeFantasy, Op. 11, No. 1a?? from Wilhelm Stenhammar, two Jean Sibelius works will be featured: a?oeThe Snapdragon, Op. 85, No. 4a?? and a?oeSpruce, Op. 75, No. 5.a?? Those will be followed by three works by Edvard Grieg: a?oeNorwegian Dance, Op. 47, No. 4,a?? a?oeShepherd's Boy, Op. 54, No. 1a?? and a?oeThe March of the Dwarfs, Op. 54, No. 3.a?? The first portion of the show will conclude with Christian Sinding's a?oeRustles of Spring, Op. 32, No. 3.a??

The McCallum Theatre welcomes the return of The Beach Boys for two performances on Sunday, December 1, at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. You can capsulize most pop music acts by how many hits they've had and how many millions of albums they've sold. These conventional measurements fall short when you're assessing the impact of The Beach Boys. This band birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums by the tens of millions. Its greater significance lies in the fact that The Beach Boys' songs forever changed the musical landscape, profoundly influencing countless performing artists.

The McCallum Theatre welcomes the hit Broadway musical WAITRESS, inspired by the beloved film, for five performances, taking place Friday, December 6, through Sunday, December 8. The performance on Friday, December 6, is made possible through by the generosity of Jerry and Sarah Mathews.

The McCallum Theatre presents John Tesh in his performance of a?oeAcoustic Christmasa?? on Saturday, November 30, at 8:00 pm. With six music Emmys, two Grammy nominations, three Gold records, seven Public Television specials and 8 million records sold and more than three decades as an international entertainer, John Tesh's recording and live concert career continues to thrive today. 

The McCallum Theatre presents Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis for two performances on Friday, November 29, at 3:00pm and 8:00pm. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America's favorite holiday tradition for over 30 years. Grammy winner Chip Davis has created a show featuring Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with compositions from Chip's Fresh Aire series which introduced the distinctive Mannheim sound to America. Dazzling multimedia effects are performed in an intimate setting as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.

From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award-winning musicalDear Evan Hansen and the Academy Award-winning film La La Land, A Christmas Story, The Musical,brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage at the McCallum Theatre for three performances a?" Tuesday, November 26, at 8:00pm, and Wednesday, November 27, at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.

The McCallum Theatre presents The Highwaymen a?" A Musical Tribute featuring Waylon, Willie and Johnny on Sunday, November 24, at 3:00 pm. Perhaps the greatest super-group in country music history, the original Highwaymen, formed in 1985 and consisted of Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. This recreation of that amazing band continues the legacy with tributes to Waylon, Willie and Johnny. You will see the friendship and comradery that existed between these legends, reliving great moments in country music history. Combining their unique approaches to life and recording, they traveled the world performing country music to millions of fans.

Roy Firestone Brings His ONE MAN SHOW To Jewish Family Services Of The Desert For One Very Special Performance, Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 pm at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Campus. Critically acclaimed as a performer, monologist, humorist, musician and impressionist, Roy Firestone, the seven-time Emmy® Award and seven-time Cable ACE Award winner, has performed in more than 2,000 venues spanning over two decades. He has shared the stage with performers  Josh Groban, Reba McEntire, David Foster, Forest Whitaker, and Bon Jovi. As an actor, Firestone was featured in the Academy Award-winning film Jerry Maguire, where he played himself in an unforgettable and often repeated scene with Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. I had the opportunity to catch up with Mr. Firestone as he was preparing for his desert performance. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

Evelyn 'Champagne' King, one of the most prolific R&B artists of our time and Grammy® Award winner will showcase her mega hit singles 'SHAME', 'I'M IN LOVE' and 'LOVE COME DOWN',  with her 5-piece band and back up singers as headliner for Halloween Palm Springs Thursday, October 31. The party starts at 4:00p.m. and entertainment from 5:00-10:00p.m.  Bringing the beat to the street will be Pulp Vixen, Probe 7, DJ Galaxy and Channel Q 103.1 FM's Lisa Pittman! 

Outlandish launches its third season on Saturday, October 12 with America's favorite Nanny Fran Drescher, performing a show for the first time in Palm Springs. In a?oeSchmoozing With Fran Dreschera??, the legendary actress/comedian/activist shares, in her unique voice, both hilarious and poignant stories of her life. Produced by Logo TV Founder Matt Farber in partnership with the Palm Springs Cultural Center and benefiting the LGBT Community Center of the Desert (The Center), the Outlandish series will feature six iconic acts known in the LGBT and mainstream media for their cutting-edge wit and humor. I had the chance to chat with Ms. Drescher as she was preparing for her upcoming Palm Springs foray. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Dezart Performs presents SQUEEZE MY CANS: Cathy Schenkelberg's acclaimed one-woman show chronicling her journey into-and-out-of Scientology for tow performances only, October 7 and 8.. A benefit for Dezart Performs and the Scott Smith Scholarship Fund, the performances will take place in a special one-time partnership at the Desert Rose Playhouse.

Dezart Performs has secured 17 nominations for the annual a?oeDesert Star Awardsa?? including the categories of Outstanding Production Comedy and Drama, Director, Lead Actor and Actress, and Set, Sound and Lighting Design. The winners will be announced at the 32nd annual Desert Theatre League Gala on Sunday, October 13.

The Board of Directors of the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California announced today the appointment of Terrence W. Dwyer as its new President and CEO effective September 9, 2019.  Dwyer will succeed Mitch Gershenfeld who is retiring after 20 years with the McCallum Theatre, the last seven of which as the Theatre's President and CEO.