Elissa Landi

Palm Canyon Theatre's (PCT's) PALM SPRINGS GETAWAY is the world premiere of a handclapping, foot-stomping revue that describes the history of Palm Springs, California in a funny, mostly wholesome way. I enjoyed myself immensely at this high-quality getaway from events in the world. Judging from other audience members, so did they.

Summer is the time for light, fun entertainment, and Palm Canyon Theatre has always selected their brightest, breeziest show as their summer offering. This year's choice is The Wedding Singer, a musical firmly set in the 80's which is based on the 1998 movie with the same title. Director Anthony Nannini has assembled a blue-ribbon cast, and directed and choreographed them through two hours of high energy singing, dancing and acting. They are accompanied by a live four-piece rock band on stage, led by musical director Jaci Davis. The results are sure to put a big smile on even the most heat-weary viewers!

Since its Broadway debut in 1959, Gypsy has been revered as one of the finest American musicals ever written. The touching - and sometimes horrifying - story of the quintessential stage mother bulldozing her two daughters into Vaudeville is based on Gypsy Rose Lee's autobiography, but focuses on Rose, her mother. The show either succeeds or fails based on the performance of Rose, and Palm Canyon Theatre's current production succeeds in trumps with the powerhouse delivery of Jaci Davis. Her voice fills every ounce of the theatre, and her energy in speaking, moving and singing never flags during an almost-three-hour performance!