David Green is the Executive Director of The Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts -- working to restore the Arts to our nation’s public schools and provide an arts education to every child in America. He is the founder and President of the nationally acclaimed Conservatory Musical Theatre University, a training ground for talented young people with aspirations for careers in theatre, most specifically musical theatre. Mr. Green's Broadway alumni include Tony -nominee Matthew Morrison, Stephanie Block, Lindsay Mendez, Scott Barnhardt, Anneliese VanDerPol and Krysta Rodriguez, to name a few. As a producer and director, he has staged over 150 theatrical productions for both educational and professional theatre and with such stars as Carol Channing, Cathy Rigby, Jonelle Allen, Eric Kunze, Davis Gaines, Stephanie Zimbalist, John Raitt, Betty Garrett and more. Mr. Green is honored to serve the Inland Empire of Southern California as a contributor to BroadwayWorld.
 Co-Grand Prize Winners Named at McCallum Theatre's OPEN CALL
April 26, 2013
Saxophonist Emma Reinhart and Vocalist April Murphy shared the Helen Turner Grand Prize Award at the McCallum Theatre's Annual Open Call Talent Competition on Saturday night, the first time in the event's fifteen year history the judges declared a tie for the top prize. The winners were announced by host (and Open Call 2011 Grand Prize winner) Rob Watkins following a rousing finale which featured all twenty-two finalist acts (76 individual performers) before a sold-out audience. The family of award namesake Helen Turner determined on the spot that each winner would receive the $2,500 grand prize.
 BWW Reviews: Almost Too Good To Be TRU! Coyote Stageworks Production A "Must See" At The Annenberg Theatre
April 26, 2013
Rumour has it that Coyote Stageworks' current production, which plays through Sunday at The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, is a one of the desert's finest theatrical offerings of the season. I am happy to report - It's all TRU! Coyote Stageworks' founding artistic director, Chuck Yates, stars in this one-man (plus a few voices) tour de force that chronicles a couple of introspective nights in the life of Truman Capote, set in his New York Apartment just before Christmas in 1975, as an excerpt from his unfinished 'tell all' novel Answered Prayers has just been published in Esquire and he has been abandoned by his closest confidantes. TRU is one of the first 'Must See' productions I have endorsed in quite a while - perhaps since last time I attended a Coyote Stageworks production. It is a 'drop everything if you can and buy a ticket' night in the theatre.
 Coyote StageWorks Brings Poignant and Witty TRU to Annenberg Theatre, Now thru 4/28
April 19, 2013
Coyote StageWorks is wrapping up its hugely successful 2012/13 Season at the Annenberg Theater with TRU, the award-winning play about Truman Capote, by the outstanding American screenwriter, playwright, stage director, television producer and novelist, Jay Presson Allen. Allen, who also wrote MARNIE, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODY, CABARET, FUNNY LADY and more, was said to have been at first hesitant to write a play about Truman Capote, who she had met but did not know. In the end, though, her work was praised by everyone, including Capote's family, as accurately portraying one of America's most controversial authors in his last years.
 The McCallum Theatre Welcomes Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Tonight
April 11, 2013
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, brings its 21-city U.S. tour to the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert for one performance tonight, April 11 at 8:00pm. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Artistic Director Robert Battle is thrilling audiences in major cities across the country. Artistic Director Robert Battle continues to surprise and delight audiences with premieres and new productions that expand his vision for the company, adding dynamic choreographic voices to the repertory that give Ailey's extraordinary artists new ways to inspire.
 Desert Rose Playhouse Presents Mart Crowley's THE BOYS IN THE BAND, Now thru 5/5
April 5, 2013
The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present Mart Crowley's classic play 'The Boys in the Band', at The Commissary in Rancho Mirage. The show will open tonight, April 5, 2013 for a five-week run closing on May 5.
Desert Rose Playhouse to Present Mart Crowley's THE BOYS IN THE BAND 4/5-5/5
April 2, 2013
The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present Mart Crowley's classic play 'The Boys in the Band', at The Commissary in Rancho Mirage. The show will open April 5, 2013 for a five-week run closing on May 5. It's Harold's birthday and his friends are throwing him a party he'll never forget, complete with his surprise gift --- a street hustler named Cowboy. As the evening progresses, many drinks are swilled and a game of Truth goes terribly wrong.
 The McCallum Theatre Announces Its Star-Studded 2013-14 Season
April 2, 2013
The McCallum Theatre announced today its new lineup of world-class entertainment scheduled for the 2013-2014 season with Tony Award-winning musicals and plays, legendary performers, beloved singers, Desert favorites, and international artistry all part of a very full and exciting roster. Subscriptions go on sale on Monday, April 8th at 8am for the Rabobank Broadway Blockbuster Series, Broadway and Beyond Series, Fitz's Jazz Cafe at the McCallum Series, Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel Series, as well as a Create-Your-Own Series which allows patrons to mix, match, and program a full season of entertainment tailored to their own individual tastes.
 BWW Interviews: The Newest 'Must-See' Show in Palm Springs! Steve Connolly is SPIRIT OF THE KING at Spa Resort Casino
April 2, 2013
Veteran Las Vegas performer Steve Connolly stars as the legendary Elvis Presley in the stage production SPIRIT OF THE KING, which premiered March 6 for an open-ended engagement in the Cascade Lounge of the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs. Dubbed "The hardest working KING in show biz," Steve Connolly has performed as Elvis Presley more than 4,000 times in his career and was chosen by the Las Vegas Review Journal's staff as "Best Elvis in Las Vegas" in 2006 and 2007. I had the chance sit down recently with Mr. Connolly to talk about his career and "all things Elvis". He was charming, funny, charismatic -- and, holds "The King" and his legacy in great reverence. Here are a few highlights from our brief chat:
 BWW Interviews: Two NAKED BOYS Bare It All – Fully Clothed
April 1, 2013
NAKED BOYS SINGING just completed a rare West Coast engagement at The Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs to sold-out, and very enthusiastic, crowds. In my recent review I singled out Christopher Trepinski and Juan Guerrero as the two stand-out talents in this particular troupe and had the wonderful opportunity to chat with them about their backgrounds, career aspirations and 'all things naked boys'. Here are a few highlights from that conversation:
 BWW Reviews: Awestruck! BLUE MAN GROUP Astounds at The McCallum Theatre
March 30, 2013
I will admit, from the start, that I was not racing to the theatre to see BLUE MAN GROUP. Having only seen them once or twice on television, and never being blown away by what I saw, I was more attending the show to fulfill my obligation of covering all of the Broadway offerings at The McCallum Theatre than anything else. I assumed I might be mildly entertained. I was way off base in my assumption. The easiest way to write a review of BLUE MAN GROUP would be to head straight to the Thesaurus and find all of the superlatives that sound great in print. And they would all be true. To choose just one - BLUE MAN GROUP was astounding!
 BWW Reviews: NAKED BOYS SINGING Delivers “Gratuitous Nudity” and Little More at The Palm Canyon Theatre
March 29, 2013
Everyone is familiar with the old adage 'You Get What You Pay For'. Never was it more true than with NAKED BOYS SINGING, now playing for a limited engagement at The Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs. You get exactly what you pay for - six naked boys singing. So who could complain? They don't promise 'the best songs and the wittiest lyrics you've every heard' or 'Broadway caliber staging and choreography', or even 'the most talented males singers we could find in New York singing naked'. Simply 'naked boys singing', period. So, what's to critique? As I write, I am determined to labor over finding just the right words for this review because I promised myself I wouldn't fall into the trap of ANY double entendre 'genital puns' when describing the production.
 BWW Reviews: The SPIRIT OF THE KING is in the Building at Spa Resort Casino
March 27, 2013
Veteran Las Vegas performer Steve Connolly stars as the legendary Elvis Presley in the stage production SPIRIT OF THE KING, which premiered March 6 for an open-ended engagement in the Cascade Lounge of the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs. Dubbed "The hardest working KING in show biz," Steve Connolly has performed as Elvis Presley more than 4,000 times in his career and was chosen by the Las Vegas Review Journal's staff as "Best Elvis in Las Vegas" in 2006 and 2007. I had the chance to see the production on opening night and again this week and it could, and very well should, become one of the "must see" attractions in Palm Springs. But, even though Connolly is at the top of his game, it just misses the mark. It is, however, still a "work in progress" and so I have extremely high hopes for its success.
Coyote StageWorks to Bring Poignant and Witty TRU to Annenberg Theatre, 4/19-28
March 26, 2013
Coyote StageWorks is wrapping up its hugely successful 2012/13 Season at the Annenberg Theater with TRU, the award-winning play about Truman Capote, by the outstanding American screenwriter, playwright, stage director, television producer and novelist, Jay Presson Allen. Allen, who also wrote MARNIE, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODY, CABARET, FUNNY LADY and more, was said to have been at first hesitant to write a play about Truman Capote, who she had met but did not know. In the end, though, her work was praised by everyone, including Capote's family, as accurately portraying one of America's most controversial authors in his last years.
 BWW Reviews: An American Musical Theatre Treasure, Barbara Cook Mesmerizes at The McCallum
March 23, 2013
It is probably not the best form for a writer to begin a composition with There are No Words To Describe but that is the first thing that came to mind after spending a glorious evening in the theatre with a true American Musical Theatre treasure, Barbara Cook, last Thursday at The McCallum. In actuality, there are words. Marvelous. Magnificent. Mesmerizing. And, many more. It was one of those Pinch me -- I'm so lucky to be here tonight sort of evenings and one I will not soon forget. Ms. Cook, at 85, was suffering from an infection in her vocal chords and began the show with a tongue in cheek disclaimer Now, don't go home and tell everybody she's losing her voice but even at partial voice' it was an evening not to be missed.
 BWW Reviews: Easy to Fall in Love with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at The McCallum Theatre
March 23, 2013
Last night I fell in love again with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST! And that was surprise. The Musical holds a very special place in my heart since Broadway's original Belle, Susan Egan, and Broadway's final Belle, Anneliese Vanderpol, are both former students of mine. I was looking forward to seeing the production - but I was, in no way, expecting to be so completely taken in. It was a first class production all the way and was, by far, for me, the best musical theatre production in the McCallum's 25th anniversary season and the perfect way for them to begin to bring down the curtain on a tremendous and memorable year.
 BWW Interview: Linda Eder to Bring Newest Concert Based on CD NOW to McCallum Theatre
March 19, 2013
Famed concert. cabaret and Broadway singer, Linda Eder, returns to The McCallum Theatre on April 2 at 8:00 pm with her newest concert, rescheduling her appearance which was cancelled -- rather stopped mid show -- due to illness.. Based on her most recent CD 'Now' featuring the music of Frank Wildhorn. Eder is said to possess one of the greatest contemporary voices of our time. She is possibly most widely known for her Drama Desk Award winning performance as Lucy in the original Broadway production of 'Jekyll And Hyde' but her career also includes televised specials on Bravo and PBS and sold out concerts at The Greek Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, The Palace Theatre and Carnegie Hall. I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Eder about her upcoming concert at The McCallum. Here are a few highlights from that interview.
The McCallum Theatre to Welcome Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 4/11
March 19, 2013
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, brings its 21-city U.S. tour to the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert for one performance on Thursday, April 11 at 8:00pm. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Artistic Director Robert Battle is thrilling audiences in major cities across the country. Artistic Director Robert Battle continues to surprise and delight audiences with premieres and new productions that expand his vision for the company, adding dynamic choreographic voices to the repertory that give Ailey's extraordinary artists new ways to inspire.
 BWW Interviews: 'Local' Belle, Hilary Maiberger, Talks Starring in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and More
March 18, 2013
Disney's Beauty and the Beast is coming to Palm Desert as part of the Rabobank Broadway Blockbusters Series at The McCallum Theatre and it stars "local girl' Hilary Maiberger as Belle. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on the McCallum stage for five performances on Friday, March 22nd at 8pm, Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday March 24th at 2pm and 7pm. I had the chance to chat with Hilary about "being Belle", life on the road, career aspirations and a number of other things. Here are a few excerpts from that interview:
 BWW Review: Palm Canyon Theatre's SUNSET BOULEVARD Is Worthy Of A Close-Up
March 12, 2013
I am a big fan of The Palm Canyon Theatre. It is a community-based theatre with community at its heart. The casting and creative team is a mix of industry professionals with dazzling resumes (most of whom are locals) and 'just plain locals' with a passion, if not professional aspirations, for theatre. And that is part of its great charm.
 Coyote StageWorks Presents Free Performance of Laurence Luckinbill's CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT! Today
March 10, 2013
'CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT!', starring renowned actor and Emmy Award winner, Laurence Luckinbill, is set to be the first presentation in Coyote StageWorks' new free community outreach series, 'Play Dates'. Luckinbill, who has written and performed in a number of solo plays about such notables as Lyndon Johnson, Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway, will read CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT! at the Annenberg Theater today, March 10, 2013 at 2pm.
 BWW Review: WEST SIDE STORY Misses Emotional Mark at The McCallum Theatre
March 8, 2013
West Side Story is widely considered to be one of the finest musicals ever written and it can be one of the most moving and emotionally-draining experiences one can have in the theatre. It has the capability of taking the audiences on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows - from laughter to despair -- that, in capable hands, is so satisfying. However, I found the production last night at The McCallum to be less than satisfying. It was pretty. It was polished. But it was also pat and predictable and not the emotional journey that it could have been. This touring production wavered between 'soap opera' and 'sitcom' and never quite hit the mark on a dramatic level.
 BWW Interview: Singer, Recording Artist and Popular Radio Personality Joey English Stars in PCT's SUNSET BOULEVARD
March 8, 2013
Singer, recording artist and popular radio personality Joey English stars as Norma Desmond in The Palm Canyon Theatre's 'Sunset Boulevard' March 8-24, as part of the PCT's 16th season. The production is directed by Judith Chapman, star of television's 'The Young And The Restless'. I sat down with Ms. English in her beautiful Palm Springs home to chat about her career, the upcoming production and 'all things Joey'. Here are a few highlights from that conversation:
 'Something's Coming' to the McCallum Theatre! It's WEST SIDE STORY, Running Now thru 3/10
March 7, 2013
The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of West Side Story is coming to the McCallum Theatre for five performances, tonight, March 7, through Sunday, March 10. This production is part of the Rabobank Broadway Blockbuster series. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz and The Life).
 BWW Review: Night And Day! Michael Feinstein Brings Style and Sophistication To THE SINATRA PROJECT at The McCallum Theatre
March 4, 2013
Michael Feinstein's SINATRA PROJECT at The McCallum Theatre was 'Night And Day' above the theatrical offering I had seen the night before. (See my review of 'Prince Poppycock and Frenchie Davis' if you want to know what I am talking about). It was everything a concert should be and he was everything a showman should be - slick, stylish and produced to perfection. Feinstein payed tribute to 'the greatest singer of the 20th century, and beyond', backed by a seventeen-piece big band, and wowed the sold out crowd with tune after tune and tale after tale. He was born to sing this music and the notes and lyrics fall from his lips as if they were written just for him to sing. It may have been an homage to Sinatra, but even as he paid tribute to one of his greatest influences and role models he made the music his own and left everyone wanting more - MORE FEINSTEIN!
Coyote StageWorks to Present Free Performance of Laurence Luckinbill's CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT!, 3/10
March 4, 2013
"CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT!", starring renowned actor and Emmy Award winner, Laurence Luckinbill, is set to be the first presentation in Coyote StageWorks' new free community outreach series, "Play Dates". Luckinbill, who has written and performed in a number of solo plays about such notables as Lyndon Johnson, Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway, will read CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT! at the Annenberg Theater on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2pm.
 BWW Review: A Disappointing Dose Of Reality! Prince Poppycock, Frenchie Davis and More at The McCallum
March 1, 2013
For those who are fans of reality television - in particular 'reality competition' television - last night was a 'must see' evening in the theatre that featured finalists from three of prime time's most popular shows - American Idol, America's Got Talent and, the one I actually, personally, enjoy - The Voice. For me, this 'dose of Reality' was more than a little disappointing. Despite the high quality of the performers, it felt more like a 'high school talent show' than a professional production - and, in fact, I have seen a few high school talent shows that had a more slick and professional flair. It was weak form both a technical and directorial perspective and might as well have been produced at a county fair than in the beautiful McCallum - or, in fact, any other professional theatre. I think at a county fair I would have been more forgiving because the barre would have been set low enough that they might have had a chance of reaching it.
 Michael Feinstein Channels 'Old Blue Eyes' as He Brings THE SINATRA PROJECT to the McCallum, 3/1-2
March 1, 2013
Cabaret Icon Michael Feinstein returns to the McCallum Theatre with 'The Sinatra Project,' for two performances - tonight, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 -- dedicated to the great Frank Sinatra. Michael reflects Sinatra's sensibility by interpreting the songs in conceptually different styles from Sinatra's own renditions. The results are fascinatingly unique and memorably beautiful. Billed 'The Sinatra Project', the concert is presented in two parts on these consecutive evenings. In the second concert, Michael reinterprets songs by such greats as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, and more. 'The second volume is really about Sinatra and his friends,' says Michael. 'It's about the people he influenced and who influenced him.'
BWW Interview: Singer, Recording Artist and Popular Radio Personality Joey English Stars in PCT's SUNSET BOULEVARD
February 28, 2013
Singer, recording artist and popular radio personality Joey English stars as Norma Desmond in The Palm Canyon Theatre's "Sunset Boulevard" March 8-24, as part of the PCT's 16th season. The production is directed by Judith Chapman, star of television's "The Young And The Restless". I sat down with Ms. English in her beautiful Palm Springs home to chat about her career, the upcoming production and "all things Joey". Here are a few highlights from that conversation:
 BWW Reviews: Their Love Is Here To Stay! Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely Put Their Love Story On Display At The Annenberg Theatre
February 27, 2013
Broadway's "Golden Couple", Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely, brought their newest Concert-Cabaret to The Annenberg Theatre last Saturday night to a near-sold-out, highly appreciative crowd and for ninety-plus minutes recounted their personal love story in anecdote and song. ("We've been married for 16 years - which is like 60 years in Show Business") I have to say I was neither overwhelmed nor under-whelmed by the performance - it never really moved me emotionally and was, at best, lukewarm - but I wouldn't say it was completely unsatisfying either.
 BWW Review: The Vocal Wonder From Down Under! THE TEN TENORS Rock Opera at the McCallum Theatre
February 27, 2013
The highlight of The McCallum Theatre's 25th Anniversary Season thus far is, hands down, the incredible rock-opera concert put on by Australia's favorite singing frat boys, The Ten Tenors, who nearly blew the roof off of the theatre last weekend with their 'off the charts' vocals, irresistible charisma and uncontainable high energy. Back by popular demand - truly, because after their sold out run just eighteen months ago the McCallum's management office was literally flooded with calls begging for s return engagement -- the ten multi-talented vocalists had the audience on their feet over and over again, resulting in three encores.
 BWW Interviews: The First Lady Of The British Theatre, Elaine Paige, Graces The McCallum Theatre Stage 2/27
February 27, 2013
The incredible Elaine Page brings her one woman concert to the McCallum Theatre tonight for a one-night-only, intimate look into her life and her career, singing the songs and recreating the magical moments from her many hit shows on Broadway and the West End. I had the opportunity to catch up with Ms. Paige as she was preparing for her concert this evening at The McCallum Theatre. Here are a few highlights from that conversation.
 Elaine Paige Brings a Little Broadway and West End to The McCallum Tonight
February 27, 2013
Elaine Paige celebrates her love of jazz classics and contemporary songs in her own unique style in a one-night-only headline performance tonight, February 27, at 8:00pm at McCallum Theatre. Paige is famous for her countless successes on both sides of the Atlantic, from originating the role of Grizabella in Cats to her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard. She is an actress, recording artist, producer and broadcaster and has made a major contribution to the modern musical which ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre'.
 Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley Bring Musical Lovenote HE SAID/SHE SAID to Annenberg Theatre Tonight
February 23, 2013
Broadway's 'Golden Couple', husband and wife team Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, will bring their newese show He Said/She Said to The Annenberg Theatre for one very special performance tonight, February 23 at 8:00 pm.
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