Miss USA meets 'Real Housewives' reunion in new comedy show 'Aces' at Oscars

Have you ever wondered what shiny pageant winners would say to each other if they got a chance on a "Real Housewives"-esque reunion? A new show at Palm Springs' Oscar's gives audience members a sneak peek.

"Aces" is based on a real story of five Miss Texas USA contestants who were consecutive winners of the Miss USA title from 1985 to 1989. In this fictional show, the ladies reunite at a Texas television station with another former winner to tell their stories in front of a live TV audience. They discuss all the glitz and glam from their pageant days and even engage in a few heartfelt conversations with some help from backstage champagne.

The show was written by Davis Gordon Gilbert and is directed by "The Young and the Restless" actress Judith Chapman.

Performances will take place 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays between March 9 and 31 at Oscar's, located at 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner service.

The cast includes:

• Denise Strand as Kim Tomes, Miss USA 1977

• Dana Adkins as Laura Harring, Miss USA 1985

• Kitty Murray as Christy Fichtner, Miss USA 1986

• Yo Younger as Michelle Royer, Miss USA 1987

• Denise Carey as Courtney Gibbs, Miss USA 1988

• Christine Tringali Nunes as Gretchen Polhemus, Miss USA 1989

The show's leading ladies got together over the summer to do a live reading of the piece with Gilbert and former Desert Rose Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Robbie Wayne, Murray explained. Gilbert was "elated" at what the women did and asked if they would put on the production.

During that first read, Murray, who is also the producer, thought the show was "cute," but with Chapman at the helm, she said "she's just done wonders with this show."

During the show, the pageant queens will don their crowns, sashes and best evening attire as they reminisce about their wins. Once they head to the drink table, the politeness wanes and they "start digging at each other," Murray said. That is until Tomes calls the Aces back to the camera and their prim and proper ways return.

Other than all the backstage drama, audience members will learn interesting tidbits about the actual contestants. For example, Fichtner's main competition and eventual first runner-up at Miss USA was actress Halle Berry.

"We do a whole funny thing about that," Murray said. "The girls are always ribbing me about her because I always brag about Halle Berry. They go, 'Oh god, not again.'"

There are also poignant and heartfelt moments that dig into these women's lives. Harring, who pursued an acting career and is best known for her performance in "Mulholland Drive," was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting at 12, which the show delves into. Murray added that two men groomed several of these women and others in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We talk about how they put us through hell sometimes," she said, "but in a good way because all of us ended up winning Miss USA."

There's no dress code for the evening, but guests are more than welcome to come with their favorite tiara or evening gown on − but maybe leave the swimsuit for the pool.

If you go

What: "Aces"

When: 7 p.m. every Thursday and Friday between March 9 and 31

Where: Oscars, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs

How much: $45 for general admission and $65 for front seating; $25 food/drink minimum

More information: oscarspalmsprings.com/product/03302023/

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Miss USA meets 'Real Housewives' reunion in new comedy show 'Aces'