Palm Springs Plaza Theatre to host open house, other festivities to celebrate reopening
City News Service
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – To showcase the newly-restored Plaza Theatre before the first slate of shows begin in December, a community open house and block party will be held Nov. 22 to celebrate the reopening.
The open house will run from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. and feature tours highlighting aspects of the theatre that has been preserved along with new state-of-the-art technology and live performances, Mayor Ron deHarte announced Tuesday.
Participating performers on the theatre’s stage will include the Coachella Valley’s Men’s Chorus at 10 a.m., Coachella Valley Voices at 11 a.m., Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus at noon and Musical Theatre University at 1 p.m.
South Palm Canyon Drive will be closed from Tahquitz Canyon Way to La Plaza for other festivities, including community booths from local organizations and music by DJ Mod Girl.
The theatre’s box office will be open and Plaza Theatre merchandise will be available for sale.
Funding for the restoration was provided through a multi-year campaign in which the theatre continues in the process of raising the remaining funds needed.
An opening night gala will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, with “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo set to headline.
“It is estimated that after the theatre reopens it will accommodate approximately 135,000 patrons per year who will potentially generate more than $40 million in incremental spending and provide more than $4 million direct economic impact to the city through sales and transient occupancy taxes,” officials said.