Coachella Valley Theater guide Feb. 19-25: Mystery, comedy and more
This week in theater includes "The Mousetrap," "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and more.
Coachella Valley theater companies can submit their theater listings — one per form — at bit.ly/TheaterGuideForm to be included in the weekly Theater Guide inside Sunday's Arts & Culture section.
Here's our list of must-see performances in the Palm Springs area this week:
'South Pacific'
In 1949, with Americans optimistic about a new era of peace and prosperity in the aftermath of World War II, "South Pacific" premiered on Broadway. Based on short stories by James Michener published as "Tales of the South Pacific," the musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II was enormously popular, running for 1,925 performances. It received critical acclaim, earning 10 Tony Awards — including Best Musical — and the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was also highly controversial, featuring two love stories set against the brutality of war and an environment of racial prejudice. Nearly 75 years later, the landmark musical is coming to life at Desert Theatricals with messages that resonate as deeply as when "South Pacific" premiered.
Venue: Rancho Mirage Amphitheater, 71-560 San Jacinto Drive, Rancho Mirage
Running dates and times: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 (closing night)
Ticket prices: General Admission is $50. Dinner theater catered by Lulu Catering and Events is $560 (for a side table of four); $620 (for a center table of four); $840 (for a side table of six); or $930 (for a center table of six)
More info: desert-theatricals.com/southpacific
Agatha Christie’s 'The Mousetrap'
Desert TheatreWorks adapts Agatha Christie's murder mystery about a group of seven strangers stuck at a guesthouse with a killer among them. The story follows the group of strangers trying to unravel the mystery while they are snowed-in at a countryside guesthouse. This thriller is also the longest-running play in history.
Venue: Playhouse at Indio Performing Arts Center 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Running dates and times: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 10 to March 5
Ticket prices: $40
More info: dtworks.org/tickets
'The Scarlet Pimpernel'
This musical is based on Baroness Orczy's novel about a wealthy man named Sir Percy Blakeney who lives a secret life of rescuing those sent to execution during the French Revolution. The premise resembles a super hero double identity, as the character's wife is unaware of her husband's action-filled adventures.
Venue: Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Running dates and times: 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 10 to March 5
Ticket prices: $38
More info: palmcanyontheatre.net/show-tickets
'Once'
Enjoy this beloved musical that aims to remind us of how the language of music is universal. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "Once" tells the story of Guy, an Irish songwriter who spends his days fixing vacuums in the Dublin shop he runs with his father. On the verge of giving up, a girl walks into his life who changes everything, eventually getting him to arrange a motley crew of musicians to record a demo album.
Venue: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Running dates and times: Various times Feb. 21 – March 11, check website for specifics
Ticket prices: $63
More info: cvrep.org
Editor's note: The run of "Once" has been extended since the printing of this article in the Feb. 19 issue of The Desert Sun.
This story includes previous reporting by Desert Sun contributor Barbara Kerr and Desert Sun intern Kevin Caparoso.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Theater guide: Palm Springs-area shows to check out Feb. 19-25
