Celebrities Join Sinatra for Plaza Theatre Effort

PALM SPRINGS — Celebrities are lining up behind Nancy Sinatra to help raise money to restore the iconic Plaza Theatre, a project estimated to cost between $10 million and $12 million.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at noon for a February event that Sinatra will host during Modernism Week at the historic Plaza Theatre.

The event, in support of the Plaza Theatre Restoration Project, is set for Sunday, Feb. 16 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive. The occasion will include a special screening selection of Sinatra’s work followed by a conversation with the audience and a cabaret performance by her daughter A.J. Lambert.

Sinatra also promises to bring special guest celebrities. To date, the list includes well-known singers James Darin and Steve Tyrell along with lyricist and composer Don Randi. Tickets can be purchased by click here.

“As the daughter of Frank Sinatra, perhaps one of the most famous of the many Hollywood celebrities who helped put Palm Springs on the international stage, Nancy has many fond memories of growing up here and is a huge supporter of preserving our past and our city’s historic architecture,” Councilmember J.R. Roberts said in a news release “We are incredibly honored that Nancy is getting involved in the effort to restore this important Palm Springs icon to its former glory.”

Sinatra’s appearance comes on the heels of Lilly Tomlin who recently appeared in a special video asking for community support while explaining the importance of restoring and preserving the Palm Springs landmark.

At the State of the City address, held for the first time at the Plaza Theatre, Roberts and Mayor Rob Moon announced a campaign to raise money for the restoration project along with two major donations — $100,000 from Modernism Week and $50,000 from the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation. The total financial commitment to date is about a quarter of a million dollars.

The theatre, built in 1936, has long been a gathering place for celebrities as they attended Hollywood film premieres, national radio broadcasts, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.

The Plaza Theatre has been vacant since the departure of the Follies. It was recently cleaned up for the State of the City, but the Historic structure still requires significant work.

To better comprehend what it will take financially to restore the building, the city recently tapped an international architectural firm and preservation consultants to develop a restoration and rehabilitation plan. The plan calls for installing 670 new seats, significant infrastructure repairs, installation of new theatrical equipment, and structural improvements to ensure the building meets current fire prevention and Americans with Disabilities Act mandates.

For more information about the project or to donate, click here.