Palm Springs Performs: A Tour Of The Desert’s Finest Theaters

Beyond its scenic mountain views, mid-century modernist appeal, and boutique hotel poolside sanctuaries, Palm Springs is also a vibrant hub for live theater. For those seeking to infuse their vacation oasis with a splash of drama, Palm Springs and its neighboring cities in the Coachella Valley offer a year-round theatrical journey like no other.

I recently had the opportunity to experience the local theater scene myself, and am thrilled to be spotlighting five theater companies that are raising the bar here in the low desert.

The Bent

“Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde” is part of The Bent’s first full season. Photo: Jim Cox

About: The Bent is a nonprofit theater that has served the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley LGBTQ+ community since Dec. 13, 2022. As a relatively new theater company in town, The Bent’s mission is to keep LGBTQ+ theater alive here in the Valley. 

The local community and other organizations came together to support The Bent in their inaugural year, as they launched their first full season and gained their sea legs. The Bent’s first three shows were all nominated for either Best Comedy or Best Drama of the Year by the Desert Theater League, and had a total of 14 nominations.

My experience: I had the opportunity to attend Gross Indecency: The Three Trials Of Oscar Wilde, by Moises Kaufman. Based entirely on facts, the show was a blueprint for the price Oscar Wilde paid for his status as a gay icon. The performance I saw was masterful in its writing as well as its acting. The show starred Brent Anderson, Melanie Blue, Tony Bradford, Kai Brothers, Stan Jenson, Barbara Kerr, Jason Mannino, Willie Mullins, Alex Price and Koby Queenen. Every detail was well executed, from the beautiful set to the dynamic, versatile cast. I’m looking forward to seeing more from The Bent.

The Bent, The Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs

Coachella Valley Repertory

“The Fantasticks: A Love Story Reimagined” had its West Coast debut at the Coachella Valley Repertory. Photo: David A. Lee

About: Coachella Valley Repertory’s new Executive Artistic Director Adam Karsten is committed to bringing Broadway-caliber talent to the desert for a true theater experience in an intimate setting at affordable prices. During a recent conversation I had with Karsten, he mentioned the phenomenon that “heartbeats can actually synchronize throughout a show when it’s this intimate.” 

With the Coachella Valley Repertory now in its 16th season, Karsten’s vision is to continue building upon a storied history while introducing fresh initiatives, like their new works program Origins, a page-to-stage development program. The first show, Summer Session with The Bones Brigade, is premiering this month.

My experience: I was invited to the West Coast premiere of The Fantasticks: A Love Story Reimagined. I was very impressed with the aesthetics and caliber of operations within the theater itself before the show even began. While I can’t say The Fantasticks has even been one of my favorite shows, it was refreshing to see a new, very LGBTQ-inclusive spin on the play. It was a heartwarming Romeo-and-Juliet love story between two boys (in this reimagined version) with their mothers at the helm. The real highlights for me were the characters Henry and Mortimer, who both provided comic relief and masterful acting throughout. As a musician myself, I also felt it was an intriguing choice to have the orchestra consist of only a pianist and a harpist. I can’t wait to check out a new works production in the near future.

Coachella Valley Repertory, 68510 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City

Dezart Performs

“The Thanksgiving Play” is a snarky comedy. Photo: David A. Lee

About: Running strong for 16 years now, Dezart Performs has consistently produced innovative, contemporary plays that audiences in the Coachella Valley would otherwise only see while visiting a larger city like Los Angeles or San Francisco. That was one of their founding principles, and the Valley has welcomed the kind of bold, thought-provoking work that Dezart Performs presents. And as an Equity-sanctioned professional theater, Dezart Performs draws upon the rich talent pool both locally and from across Southern California, casting gifted amateurs alongside experienced pros.

My experience: I attended Larissa FastHorse’s The Thanksgiving Play, a snarky comedy about four well-intentioned but terminally “woke” theater artists at an elementary school attempting to create a pageant that will somehow celebrate both Turkey Day and honor Native American Heritage Month. FastHorse is the first Native American playwright to have a show produced on Broadway, which is important to know in order to really appreciate a show this brash. That said, I was particularly fond of the writing and the flavor of comedy screaming through the storyline. While the jokes weren’t always delivered as I believe they were intended to be, it was a strong, committed cast throughout. It will be interesting to see what Dezart Performs does next.

Dezart Performs, Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Rd., Palm Springs

Desert Ensemble Theatre

“Collective Rage: A Play In 5 Betties” is an outrageously fun production. Photo courtesy of Desert Ensemble Theatre

About: Desert Ensemble Theatre is committed to producing innovative plays that underscore the complexity of human interaction. DET offers theater internships to high school students, giving them on-the-job experience in professional productions and even awarding scholarships to graduating seniors who plan on continuing their higher education in theater arts. DET was named Best Repertory Company in the Desert Sun’s 2018 Best of the Valley Awards, and has since been honored with 28 Desert Theatre League Awards in all major categories.

My experience: I had the joy of sitting front-row center for a performance of Collective Rage: A Play In 5 Betties, an outrageously fun, queer, and female-focused show by Jen Silverman. It’s a story about when the lives of five women named Betty collide, and it’s a hard one to explain without seeing it for yourself. This was a strong cast of Betties, and there was one particular Betty who made me laugh until I cried towards the end of the performance; it was a glorious way to close out a show. It’s always a treat to see a Desert Ensemble Theatre production.

Desert Ensemble Theatre, The Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs

Palm Canyon Theater

“RENT” is part of the Palm Canyon Theater’s 27th season lineup. Photo: Carlos Mendoza

About: Palm Canyon Theater is proud to be the Coachella Valley’s longest-running theater company. They opened their doors in September 1997 after Dr. William “Bill” Layne and his family submitted the winning proposal to the City of Palm Springs for how to repurpose the historic Frances S. Stevens School with a cultural nonprofit organization. Now in their 27th season, the Palm Canyon Theatre has since grown into a huge family taking on all sorts of ambitious and widely-loved shows in their lineup.

My experience: I had the opportunity to attend Palm Canyon Theatre’s production of RENT, however… I missed the performance entirely because I had the date wrong on my calendar (doh!). As embarrassed as I was to admit that to the kind people who comped me two press passes, I am still thrilled to include them in this article. 

I caught one number from PCP’s cast of RENT in a live concert performance at the Arenas Halloween Block Party main stage, and I was very impressed. That said, I can’t wait to see a future PCP show myself. I’m particularly fond of the music from The Light in the Piazza, so I’m looking forward to being in the audience for that one.

Palm Canyon Theater, 538 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs

A rich cultural fabric

These theater companies exemplify the thriving artistic spirit here in Palm Springs and its surroundings. Each venue offers a unique glimpse into the world of live performance, reflecting the diverse and rich cultural fabric of the area. From the intimate, reflective shows at The Bent to the grand, Broadway-like productions of the Coachella Valley Repertory, there’s a performance here for every theater enthusiast.

Just as these theaters bring stories to life, our small boutique hotels craft a similarly unique and personal experience. Each hotel, with its distinctive style and intimate setting, offers a gateway to the local culture and the vibrant heart of Palm Springs. There’s truly nowhere else quite like it for a vacation filled with fun, culture, and bottomless hospitality.