Spotlight on Youth Talent, Theatre, Culture

Our desert home is known for many things. One of them is the many cultural opportunities offered from one end of the valley to the other. For some, however, ticket prices can be a deterrent to enjoying amazing theatre and musical performances.

That’s where youth talent comes in. In addition to a number of excellent youth groups, the schools of Desert Sands provide excellent opportunities to see outstanding theatre and concerts.

Here is a recap of those dates as well as a synopsis of the plays. Student theatre performances are not only outstanding, they are affordable. Those on a budget can see some well-known and lesser known plays as well as listen to very talented musicians and singers. Families with young children may not feel comfortable in a theatre or concert setting but they are welcome at our schools as they introduce their young children to the mystery and laughter presented in these plays. Come join us!

October 23 & 24

Palm Desert Charter Middle School presents Shuddersom: Tales of Poe at 2:30 pm on October 23, $5 pp; 7 p.m. on October 24, $7 pp

An eerie and vividly theatrical adaptation of Poe’s best known works brought to you live on stage. The cast includes a number of students who perform in the best of our local youth theaters.

October 23

Indio Middle School, presents a Musical Concert, 5:50-8:00 pm, $1 pp

A wide variety of musical genres are covered by this award winning orchestra.

October 24, 25 & 26

La Quinta High School & B.E.S.T. Productions presents Thirteen Past Midnight by Bill St. John, 6:30 pm each night, $10 adults, $8 students, $5 seniors and children under the age of 5

When powerful millionaire Victor Winslow, producer of a popular TV soap opera, invites members of the cast and crew to his mansion for a party, none dare refuse. Winslow informs his guests that he has assembled them to help him develop a new murder mystery game titled Thirteen Past Midnight. But before the game begins the host gives the players ample motives to want to kill him – for real!

 

October 28, 29 & 30

John Glenn Middle School presents Asylum, 3:00-6:00 pm each day, $4 for JGMS students; $5 for general public

A student written and directed interactive play providing a creepy and scary tour of one of the worst asylums in history.

November 7, 8, & 9

Indio High School presents Peter and the Starcatcher, 7 pm, $10 pp

A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training, who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is “starstuff”, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates–led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own–the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.

November 7, 8 & 9

Shadow Hills High School, presents Alice Meets Dorothy…and Jack!, 7:00 pm (Saturday matinee on November 9 at 2:00 pm), $10 pp ($8 for students with ASB IDs, seniors, and military); children under 5 are free

Two one-act plays. A crossover tale, Dorothy Meets Alice, finds a typical teen putting off his book report until the night before. He falls asleep and wakes up somewhere between Oz & Wonderland. All the classic characters collide in a story of embracing differences, helping others, and accepting responsibility. The second play is a comic re-telling of Jack, his faithful pal Milky White and the infamous magic beans. Complete with three “union narrators” who go on strike before the play is over. Audience interaction and…spoiler alert…YOU are the giant!

November 14, 15 & 16

Palm Desert High School presents And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, 7 pm, $7 pp

Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past that they are unwilling to reveal and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. As the weather tunes and the group is cut off from the mainland, the carnage begins and one-by-one they are judged in accordance with the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme.

December 6 & 7 AND December 13 & 14

John Glenn Middle School presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

12/6 & 12/13 at 7:00 pm; 12/7 & 12/14 at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm

$12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $9 for students 18 and under

Based on the classic film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is an authentic piece of Americana, a time-tested romantic comedy with a special, contemporary relevance. Bringing the raucous Oregon frontier from the screen to the stage, it is a crowd-pleasing hit that has audiences cheering from the opening scene to the curtain call. Saddle up for a joyride in this theatre tale of stubborn men and cunning women.

December 10

Shadow Hills High School presents Sounds of the Season Choral Concert at 6 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for students/seniors/military

December 18

Indio Middle School presents a Musical Concert, 5:50-8:00 pm, $1 pp

A wide variety of musical genres, including holiday music, are covered by this award winning orchestra.

March 7

Shadow Hills High School presents Annual Choir Dinner Show & Silent Auction, 5:30 p.m. for auction item viewing; 6 p.m. dinner, $20 pp; $145 table for eight

March 27 & 28 AND April 3 & 4

John Glenn Middle School presents Les Miserables School Edition

3/27 & 4/3 7:00 pm; 3/28 1:00 pm; 3/28 & 4/4 6:30 pm

$12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $9 for students 18 and under

Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musicals — a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. The multi-award-winning Les Misérables is as groundbreaking today as it was when it first premiered in London theatre in 1985. In nineteenth century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter.

May 12

Shadow Hills High School presents A Spring Fling Concert, 6 p.m.,$5 for adults, $3 for students/seniors/military