Download EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE April 3, 2016

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
April 3, 2016
CONTACT:
Cate Ervin – (760) 972-7100
McCALLUM THEATRE ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED 2016-2017 SEASON
Subscriptions available at McCallum Box Office beginning Tuesday, April 5, 2016
at 8am or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com
MCCALLUM DEBUTS BY GEORGE TAKEI, DRUMLINE LIVE, JOHN CLEESE, CELTIC THUNDER,
TAKE 6, EZRALOW DANCE AND MORE
LADIES OF SONG INCLUDE BROADWAY DIVAS BERNADETTE PETERS AND KRISTIN
CHENOWETH, AS WELL AS JANE LYNCH, JACKIE EVANCHO, STORM LARGE AND LORNA LUFT
INTERNATIONAL DANCE IS A MAJOR SEASON HIGHLIGHT WITH PERFORMANCES BY TANGO
ESTAMPAS PORTEÑAS, BALLETBOYZ®, EZRALOW DANCE, ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET AND
MALANDAIN BALLET BIARRITZ
CLASSICAL SENSATIONS ITZHAK PERLMAN, JOSHUA BELL AND VIENNA BOYS CHOIR RETURN
TO THE MCCALLUM
TEN TENORS, MOST POPULAR GROUP IN THE HISTORY OF THE MCCALLUM THEATRE,
RETURNS FOR EIGHT PERFORMANCES
SOLID GOLD MEMORIES FROM FOREIGNER, THE BEACH BOYS AND ART GARFUNKEL
BROADWAY BLOCKBUSTERS SERIES INCLUDES THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE FAREWELL TOUR
OF MAMMA MIA, RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES AND THE #1 LONGEST RUNNING AMERICAN
MUSICAL, CHICAGO
BROADWAY AND BEYOND SERIES: ANNIE, THE ILLUSIONISTS™, ELVIS LIVES AND THE SECOND
ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO THE FOLLIES
LAUGH OUT LOUD WITH A STAR-PACKED COMEDY LINEUP FEATURING JAY LENO, GARRISON
KEILLOR, CATSKILLS ON BROADWAY, MONTY PYTHON’S JOHN CLEESE AND MCCALLUM
FAVORITE RITA RUDNER
MITCH’S PICKS RETURN FOR A THIRD SUCCESSFUL SEASON WITH A UKULELE, A TENOR, AN
INTERNATIONAL CABARET ARTIST, LOTS OF BRASS AND GOLDEN AGE BIG BAND MUSIC
WITH A TWIST
FITZ’S JAZZ CAFÉ RETURNS FOR 18TH SEASON WITH FAVORITES HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL,
VANESSA WILLIAMS, STEVE TYRELL AND CHRIS BOTTI AND THE VERY FIRST PAIRING OF
LEGENDARY VOCAL GROUPS, THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER AND TAKE 6
5TH ANNUAL FAMILY FUN DAY BRINGS THE UNDERWATER BUBBLE SHOW TO THE VALLEY
RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE IRISH TENORS, COLORS OF CHRISTMAS, THE UKULELE
ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN, JOHNNY MATHIS AND LOS ANGELES BALLET’S
THE NUTCRACKER
PALM DESERT, CA (April 3, 2014) – The McCallum Theatre announced today its new lineup of
world-class entertainment scheduled for the 2016-2017 season with McCallum debuts, classical
superstars, international dance, Broadway divas, family-friendly musicals and entertainment, holiday
surprises, comedy legends and solid gold memories, all part of a very full and exciting roster.
Subscriptions go on sale on Tuesday, April 5th at 8am for the Broadway Blockbuster Series,
Broadway and Beyond Series, Fitz’s Jazz Café at the McCallum Series, Keyboard Conversations®
with Jeffrey Siegel Series, as well as a Create-Your-Own Series which allows patrons to mix, match,
and program one performance or a full season of entertainment tailored to their own individual tastes.
Subscriptions will be available at the McCallum Theatre Box Office, 73000 Fred Waring Drive in Palm
Desert or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com.
“Coming off the most successful season in the Theatre’s history, we tried to put together a schedule
with a great mix of the new and different along with the tried and true,” said McCallum President and
CEO Mitch Gershenfeld. “We feel like we have another exciting lineup for Coachella Valley
residents and visitors and expect many of the shows to sell out quickly, so we hope people will place
their orders as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
Among the new season’s highlights are several first time visitors to the McCallum including The
Queen of Mexican Music and America’s first all-female mariachi ensemble, Aida Cuevas and
Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles (Oct. 15); B – The Underwater Bubble Show, featuring the
inhabitants of Bubblelandia, for McCallum’s Fifth Annual Family Fun Day (Oct. 23); PBS sensation
Celtic Thunder (Nov. 4); Deseos, stories of longing and desire told through Argentine tango and
music by Tango Estampas Porteñas (Nov. 16); An Evening with George Takei (Nov. 19), an
intimate conversation with the iconic Star Trek star who remains a powerful voice in popular culture.
Also new to the McCallum this season are a brand new production of The Sound of Music (Nov. 2227); DRUMLine Live, an international tour based on the Historically Black College and University
marching band tradition (Jan. 22, 2017); The Illusionists™, the world’s best-selling magic show,
direct from Broadway (Jan. 28-29, 2017); the incomparable Take 6 who will join forces with The
Manhattan Transfer in an unforgettable musical summit (Feb. 10, 2017); Ezralow Dance featuring
the work of award-winning director/choreographer and multi-media artist Daniel Ezralow, recipient of
the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award at the McCallum’s Choreography Festival (Feb. 13, 2017);
Monty Python’s living legend of comedy, John Cleese (Mar. 12, 2017); a brand new production of
Neil Simon’s madcap comedy, Last of the Red Hot Lovers from Walnut Street Theatre (Mar. 14,
2017); plus all six of this season’s Mitch’s Picks.
The 2016-2017 Broadway Blockbuster Series takes on an international flair, starting in the lively hills
of Salzburg, Austria with The Sound of Music (Nov. 22-27) on the heels of the popular live television
presentation and fifty-one years after the release of the most successful movie musical in history.
Travel next to the picturesque Greek Isles with the Farewell Tour of the ultimate feel-good show,
Mamma Mia (Dec. 2-4) with such hits as “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A
Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All.”
Liverpool and The Fab Four come alive in February when Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles takes to the
McCallum stage (Feb. 17-19, 2017) This live multi-media spectacular takes audiences on a musical
journey through the life and times of the world’s most celebrated band. Round out the series in
Prohibition-era Chicago, the number one longest-running American musical in Broadway history,
featuring the musical mayhem of merry murderesses Roxie and Velma, along with their slippery
lawyer, Billy Flynn. Chicago tells a universal tale of fame, fortune and “all that jazz.” (Mar. 17-19,
2017). Four show series packages are available from $178 - $458.
The King of Rock and Roll meets the most adorable little red-headed girl ever, mixed in with some
jaw-dropping illusions and a throwback to the golden age of vaudeville in the 2016-2017 McCallum
Theatre Broadway and Beyond Series.
Everyone’s favorite redhead, Annie returns to the McCallum in a brand new incarnation featuring
such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street” and the eternal anthem of
optimism, “Tomorrow;” (Jan. 10-11, 2017). Called “a high-tech magic extravaganza” by The New
York Times, The Illusionists™ is a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of
seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth (Jan. 28-29, 2017); Elvis Lives is an unforgettable
multi-media and live musical journey through the life of the King of Rock and Roll (Feb. 22-23, 2017);
and the Second Annual Tribute to the Follies returns after its sold-out engagement, this time with
John Davidson and Ann Hampton Callaway helping to pay tribute to the Folies Bergère, Ziegfeld
Follies and the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies (Mar. 8-9, 2017). Four show series packages are
available from $178 - $398.
Returning for a third season, Mitch’s Picks, showcases artists with whom Valley audiences many not
yet be familiar, but come with the personal recommendation of McCallum President and CEO Mitch
Gershenfeld. All six shows are first-time visitors to the McCallum. Ukulele virtuoso Jake
Shimabukuro kicks off the Mitch’s Picks series on November 29, followed by Daniel Belle, a former
member of The TEN Tenors who will make his American concert debut on January 20, 2017. COLE
is a one-man tribute to the legendary Cole Porter, brought to life by Australian cabaret sensation
Michael Griffiths (Feb. 3, 2017); Simply Three brings the combination of violin, cello and double
bass to new heights playing covers of classic rock and contemporary hits (Feb. 15, 2017); Mnozil
Brass, both incredible musicians and hilarious fun, make the Canadian Brass look downright stodgy
(Mar. 23, 2017); and Max Raabe & Palast Orchester bring the sophisticated look and sound of
Berlin’s Golden Age of the 1920s to the McCallum, paying homage to The Comedian Harmonists, as
well as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Fred Astaire (Mar. 30, 2017).
Celebrating its 18th Anniversary and co-sponsored by the McCallum Theatre, CV 104.3’s morning
personality Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald brings another exciting roster of exceptional performers to the
desert in 2016-17 for his wildly popular Fitz’s Jazz Café at the McCallum series. The lineup includes
return engagements by favorites Herb Alpert and Lani Hall (Nov. 5), Vanessa Williams (Jan. 14,
2017), Steve Tyrell (Mar. 25, 2017) and Chris Botti (Apr. 8, 2017). A big highlight of the series is
The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6, combining forces for the first time two of the
most acclaimed, award-winning vocal groups in pop music history (Feb. 10, 2017). Tickets for the five
show series range from $249 - $449.
The indomitable Jeffrey Siegel brings his acclaimed Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
back to the McCallum for its 15th Anniversary Season of making classical music accessible, interesting
and fun. His popular and intimate evenings of piano and commentary return to the McCallum in the
2016-2017 season with four programs: Fiesta! The Glorious Music of Spain and Argentina (Nov.
28); The Miracle of Mozart (Jan. 23, 2017), featuring two of Mozart’s most beloved concertos. Siegel
will play, speak and conduct the McCallum Theatre Chamber Orchestra with 36 of the best Los
Angeles-based musicians; The Genius of Chopin (Feb. 27, 2017); and an Audience Choice concert
(Apr. 3, 2017) for which details on how to submit favorites for consideration will be released at a later
date. These performances are presented through the generosity of Donna MacMillan. Tickets for all
four concerts range from $88 - $168.
The 2016-2017 season kicks off with the McCallum’s Fifth Annual Family Fun Day (Oct. 23).
Proceeds from this great family-friendly afternoon at the Theatre support the education and outreach
programs of the McCallum Theatre. This season’s Family Fun Day will feature B – The Underwater
Bubble Show (or The Unexpected Journey of Mr. B in the Colorful Underwater World of
Bubblelandia) which just celebrated five successful years of touring between Italy, Switzerland,
Russia, China, Qatar, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Lebanon, Turkey and its homeland of Latvia.
Inspired by “Cirque du Soleil,” the show is rich in various stage effects using the latest laser
technologies, snow cannons, soap bubble tornadoes, theatrical fog, magic, gigantic smoke rings,
smoke-filled soap bubble machines, optical illusions and many other surprises.
International dance is represented at the McCallum in a major way in 2016-2017. In addition to
performances by Tango Estampas Porteñas and Ezralow Dance, the lineup includes McCallum
Theatre’s 19th annual Choreography Festival, which features exciting original dances in a number of
styles performed by companies from across the nation (Nov. 12-13); the triumphant return of
BalletBoyz®, from Great Britain who caused a sensation at the McCallum in 2014 (Jan. 30 & 31,
2017); the percussive dance phenomenon, Rhythmic Circus in Feet Don’t Fail Me Now (Feb. 7,
2017); Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the pioneering jewel of a dance company from the American West
(Mar. 7, 2017); and Malandain Ballet Biarritz (McCallum debut) with a brilliant new production of
Beauty and the Beast (Mar. 20, 2017).
An expanded Holiday Season of shows fills December at the McCallum and includes: celebrate
Christmas in Vienna with Vienna Boys Choir (Dec. 5); The Irish Tenors Christmas (Dec. 6)
featuring Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Finbar Wright; the popular Colors of Christmas
(Dec. 9) starring Oleta Adams, Melissa Manchester, Jon Secada and Ruben Studdard;
Christmas with The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, returning to the McCallum after their
successful appearance as part of the Mitch’s Picks series two seasons ago (Dec. 11); Los Angeles
Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 13); and A Johnny Mathis Christmas (Dec. 16 & 17) showcasing the
legendary vocalist with his quartet and a 31-piece orchestra.
It’s a year of legendary ladies of song starting with the Palm Desert debut of Jane Lynch (Oct. 29),
best known as the iconic Sue Sylvester on Glee, followed by Pink Martini’s Storm Large, along with
her band Le Bonheur (Jan. 25 & 26, 2017); three-time Tony® Award-winner Bernadette Peters
(Feb. 4, 2017); young phenom and America’s Got Talent finalist Jackie Evancho (Feb. 11, 2017);
Valley favorite Lorna Luft performing “The Judy Garland Songbook” (Feb. 14, 2017) and Broadway’s
sweetheart Kristin Chenoweth of Wicked and Glee fame (Mar. 24, 2017), as well as the
aforementioned Vanessa Williams.
Not to be left out, male vocals will be well-represented as The TEN Tenors, the most popular group in
the history of the McCallum Theatre, return for eight performances (Feb. 28 – Mar.-5, 2017), as well
as a tribute to the life and music of Mel Tormé, Tormé Sings Tormé, starring the legendary jazz
singer’s first-born son, Steve March Tormé (Feb. 6, 2017); and the Great American Songbook’s best
friend, Michael Feinstein (Feb. 25, 2017).
The solid gold sounds from your AM/FM radio take to the McCallum stage in 2016-2017 including:
Foreigner playing hits like “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice,” “Waiting
for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” (Nov. 2); those ageless surfer dudes, The
Beach Boys (Nov. 20); and classic hitmaker Art Garfunkel (Mar. 31, 2017).
And comedy is king as the McCallum presents late night champ Jay Leno (Jan. 21, 2017); Lake
Wobegon’s favorite son, Garrison Keillor (Jan. 27, 2017); an ALL NEW version of the 1991
Broadway hit, Catskills on Broadway (Feb. 24, 2017) starring Freddie Roman, Sarge and Elayne
Boosler; the aforementioned John Cleese (Mar. 12, 2017); and favorite funny lady Rita Rudner (Apr.
7, 2017).
Two of classical music’s most indelible artists make a return stop to the McCallum in the new season:
violin legend Itzhak Perlman, accompanied by Rohan de Silva on piano (Jan. 19, 2017) and violinist
Joshua Bell, one of the most prominent American artists of his generation (Feb. 1, 2017). And the
Waring International Piano Competition returns with two shows: Three Pianos – Six Hands – One
Performance (Nov. 17) and Concerto Finals with Orchestra & Award Presentation (Apr. 2, 2017).
And nostalgia, tributes, spectacle and thoughtful theater make up the balance of the 2016-2017 with
performances including: folk masters New Christy Minstrels (Nov. 6); The Highwaymen – A
Musical Tribute to perhaps the greatest super group in country music history (Jan. 13, 2017); a third
rendition of Palm Springs Legends featuring the top tribute artists honoring the iconic stars of the
Desert (Jan. 15, 2017); the breathtaking spectacle of Golden Dragon Acrobats (Feb. 122017); a
grand night of music with the Salute to Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall (Mar. 6, 2017) reliving the
legendary concert that made Goodman the most celebrated jazz bandleader of his day; additional
opportunities to see the deeply emotional drama, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, a McCallum sellout show in 2015 (Mar. 21 & 22, 2017); a fifth outing for the McCallum Theatre Concert Band (Mar.
26, 2017) with McCallum President & CEO Mitch Gershenfeld, conductor; and a Tribute to Glenn
Miller and the Vocal Groups Featuring The Tex Beneke Orchestra (Mar. 28, 2017) with special
guests The Four Aces, The Four Lads, String of Pearls and Paul Boland.
Performances are subject to change.
Series tickets are available beginning Tuesday, April 5th at 8:00am at the Theatre’s box office or web
site at www.mccallumtheatre.com. The McCallum Theatre is located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive,
Palm Desert CA 92260, accepts payment by cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and
American Express.