PALM CANYON’S SORDID LIVES: BLACK COMEDY ABOUT WHITE TRASH
by June August
The clever article title isn’t mine. I lifted it from the program cover for Sordid Lives, the show I saw Friday night at Palm Canyon Theatre. It’s the perfect blurb for Del Shores’ comedy. Although Sordid Lives has been around the block for the past twenty-plus years, including a dozen or more reprises in Coachella Valley and a tv series, it’s still an entertaining show. I’m glad I didn’t miss it this time.
Let’s start with kudos for director Se Layne and the entire cast. Not for a moment did anyone drop out of character, sliding into their roles like happy feet in comfy slippers. Sure, there was a barely noticeable glitch or two, but the dialogue remained as smooth as frosting on a cake.
So who are these outrageous people from Winters, Texas, and why are they here? The play covers the chaotic two days following the death and preceding the funeral of Peggy Ingram, a respectable Christian grandmother who died from a fall in a seedy motel room during a rendezvous with a legless Vietnam War vet, GW (Dan Graff), the husband of one of her best friends, Noleta (Jo Beth Henry). On one hand, Peggy’s daughters, Latrelle (Judith Chapman) and Sissy (Michele Davis), are dealing with their grief. On the other hand, they are trying to reconcile their shame about family members Ty Williamson (Michael Sturgis) and Brother Boy (Mike Hadley).
Each scene is introduced by a young woman on guitar, Bitsy Mae Harling (Dani Jara Lesaca), which sets the mood. She did an excellent job in her role. Rounding out the cast are
Morgana, your bit on the barstool as Juanita Bartlett was subtle and brilliant. And the boys in the bar? Wardell (David Brooks), Odell (Nick Edwards, who also plays the Reverend Barnes), and that dirty, rotten GW were charming in all their glory. We might not have witnessed that had it not been for pistol-packin’-mama, LaVonda (Mary Ewing).
Michael Sturgis’ portrayal of Ty unexpectedly moved me to my core. Each phrase -- each pause -- went a little deeper. Michael perfectly embodied his character and brought him to life in the two-scene with his mother, Latrelle. Judy, Judy. Judy…I mean Judith Chapman. Once again, you got it right. Your scene with Michael was very much like I’d imagine a coming-out scene would be, except funnier.
And now we have the psychologist, Dr. Eve Bolinger (Denise Strand), who is treating Brother Boy (Mike Hadley). What was the film that gave us the iconic line, “You had me at ‘hello’”? It applies here. I had to stop laughing to catch my breath. For those of you who plan to see the show, I’m not going to give anything else away. You have until January 28th with a recently added Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. on January 27th. As the Phantom of the Opera would say, G-O-O-O-O!
The rest of the performances are on Friday, January 26th at 8 p.m., Saturday, January 27th at 2 p.m. and at 8 p.m., and Sunday, January 28th at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $32 for adults and senior and $17 for students and children, plus $3 in fees. (For musicals, prices are $38 for most adults, $34 for seniors, and $17 for students and children, plus a $3 fee). For tickets, call 760-323-5123 or visit www.palmcanyontheatre.net. The theater is located at 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, between N. Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, on the north side of E. Alejo Road.
The rest of the 2023-24 season consists of:
SOMETHING ROTTEN! (Feb 9-25, 2024)
SWEENEY TODD (Mar 8 – 24, 2024)
THE BOYS IN THE BAND (Apr 12 – 21, 2024)
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (May 10 -19, 2024)
BYE BYE BIRDIE (July 5-14, 2024)