by Audrey Liebross

My Coachella Valley Theatre World colleague, Stan Jenson, and I had the pleasure of visiting the under-construction space of the Coachella Valley’s newest theatre, Revolution Stage Company (RSC), and talking with two of its representatives about plans for their first full season.

Revolution intends to live up to its name by being revolutionary; producing partners Gary Powers and James Owens have numerous innovative ideas about how to gather interest for their own 501(c)(3) company’s productions as well as to increase interest in theatre in general in the local area.

Revolution occupies the space formerly used by Desert Rose Playhouse, a fine LGBT+ oriented theatre that, sadly, went out of business after the pandemic. The building is in a high-traffic location in the same shopping center as the Palm Springs Revivals thrift store. Gary and James have installed 130 permanent seats; there is room for about twenty more people on high-top tables around the sides. The partners have added a new dressing room and passage for the technical crew to go from their balcony locations at the back of the theater to the backstage area, without having to walk through the house. Of great interest to those who like drinking and snacking, they have left the bar intact, and plan to serve mixed drinks as well as beer, wine, and soda. I’m definitely looking forward to their Haagen-Dazs ice cream counter.

The team is also constructing an area on the side to host cabaret performances, for use when the main stage is dark — Gary specifically mentioned that his goal is to have the space used for some kind of performance every night. It will also be available for rent, including for other theatre companies; he pointed out that some groups perform in small spaces that they will quickly outgrow

Gary, who is an experienced dramaturg, spent many years working on Broadway as a ticket seller, and became familiar with techniques for maximizing attendance at each performance. James is both a community theatre actor-director and a middle school teacher. I was impressed with their combined theatrical experience and their evident enthusiasm as they discussed their plans.

Gary mentioned that his goal is to produce excellent shows, with top-notch technical artistry and acting. Gary told us that he wants “people to say they do great work” at Revolution. In pursuit of this goal, he and James will pay all the performers and give Equity contracts to union members, even though the company is not a member of Equity. In addition, they will institute a practice that is relatively uncommon in local theatres: They’ll put on preview performances to ensure that the first full run with a paying audience is not on opening night.

Another goal is to produce new works, especially by local playwrights — both musicals and straight plays. Revolution has a committee that reads submissions by playwrights to look for promising material. Gary mentioned that theatre personnel often debate whether local theatre audiences will attend new plays, or whether they are wedded to well-known shows. However, Gary and James believe that, if the production values are high and the acting is terrific, people will be happy to see something new, even if the theme is unusual. For example, Off the Street, a new musical for which Gary wrote the book, features homeless characters. Yet, despite the seemingly grim subject matter, Gary told us that the audience at a Palm Springs Underground reading thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Another innovation that Gary and James are instituting is that they will partner with a theatre company in London that will produce the same plays. In my opinion, having another theatre with a different perspective working on the same plays allows them to provide advice to each other, as well to provide a British venue for the new plays. Gary mentioned that he hopes Palm Springs is only the first stop for his productions, with some moving on to the Pasadena Playhouse. He even aims to produce especially promising plays off-Broadway.

Gary and James are planning a festival of ten-minute plays over the Martin Luther King Day weekend, in 2024. During their second season, they would like to host a fringe festival in Palm Springs, which would double the number of fringe festivals in the general area.

In addition to Revolution’s ambitious goals for itself, Gary and James want to increase the Coachella Valley’s draw as a theatre destination. For example, the Coachella Valley DNA Project is a new program to “develop new audiences,” which is what the abbreviation “DNA” stands for in the name. One of Gary’s hopes is for downtown Palm Springs to host the equivalent of New York’s TKTS booth, where theatregoers can purchase available tickets at a reduced price on the day of the performance. “We really want to make Palm Springs a theatre town,” Gary said. He emphasized that he wants people from places such as Los Angeles and San Diego to realize that there are shows playing over a period of several days that they look forward to seeing here in the Coachella Valley, and to plan a trip for the specific purpose of attending.

Revolution Stage Company is located at 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, in the same shopping center as the Palm Springs Revivals. For more information and to purchase tickets to its plays or special events, go to the Web site, at www.RevolutionStageCompany.com. Revolution’s presentations for the rest of 2023 consist of:

Mid-Century Moderns (October 6th to November 19th)

Written and Directed by Mark Christopher, Produced by Mark Christopher, Dan Gelfand

Maryann Popecky, a Wisconsin widow, dreams of moving West to become a secretary. But when her car breaks down in the shadow of Mt. San Jacinto, it seems that the fates have something else in store. This show features the music of Tom Jones, Petula Clark, Lesley Gore, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, The Association, The Monkees, and many more.

Not In Front of the Children (October 12th to October 29th)

Written and performed by GARY POWERS, Directed by JAMES OWENS, Music arranged by DENIS MOREEN

Danny shares what it's like to grow up “different,” learning to “play the game,” and surviving in a world that feels far from safe. After quitting a job, and suffering a mental breakdown, Danny is ready to be honest with his sister about who he truly is. But he is quickly warned not to talk about it in front of her children. As Danny maneuvers through a world without a guidebook, he meets some interesting characters along the way to self-acceptance. This one-person musical, which features eight original songs, has been presented in numerous readings, but this is its world premiere.

Off the Street (November 6th to November 21st)

Music and Lyrics by Jeanie Cunningham and Matt Naylor, Book by Gary Powers, Produced by RSC with Dan Kerrigan

The matriarch of the Palm Sprinkles’ homeless community is Lila, who has had the same dream for years — on a moonlit night, on the eve before she turns fifty, a King or Queen will find her a home off the street. After a new mayor promises to solve the issue of homelessness, Lila believes her dream is about to come true. After a much-heralded reading last fall at Palm Springs Underground, the show receives its world-premiere production.

Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol (December 1st to December 23rd)

By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Scott Palmer, Directed by Laura Stearns

This exciting new adaptation follows author Charles Dickens while he is conceiving and writing a new story called A Christmas Carol. While pondering the plot, he is visited by muses in his head who throw ideas out to him as he forms the story. These muses act out the story, chiming in from time to time with ideas as he writes. This take on A Christmas Carol is appropriate for the whole family.