Your Complete Guide to Palm Springs Area Theatre

Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley have emerged as a premier destination for world-class theatre, rivaling many major metropolitan areas with an impressive lineup of Broadway shows, intimate dramas, and musical spectaculars. Whether you're visiting during the holiday season or escaping the winter cold, the desert offers an extraordinary array of theatrical experiences. Here's your complete guide to the hottest shows hitting local stages over the next few months.

McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert)

Location: 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Website: mccallumtheatre.org

Capacity: 1,127 seats

Parking: On-site parking available

Since opening in 1988, the McCallum Theatre has been one of the country's most highly acclaimed performing arts venues, renowned for its superb acoustics and state-of-the-art sound system. Located on the campus of College of the Desert, this beautiful venue attracts top-tier touring productions and internationally recognized artists.

Upcoming Broadway & Musical Productions

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

December 9-14, 2025

Tickets starting from approximately $250-$485

The winner of 10 Tony Awards, this spectacular musical brings Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary film to life on stage. Enter the world of bohemian Paris at the turn of the 20th century and follow the story of a young composer who falls in love with the star of the infamous Moulin Rouge. Featuring dozens of pop songs reimagined in breathtaking arrangements, this show is a visual and auditory feast.

A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical

December 24-28, 2025

Tickets starting around $95-$300

Celebrate the holidays with the story and music of one of America's greatest entertainers. This jukebox musical chronicles Neil Diamond's extraordinary career, from his early days as a struggling songwriter in Tin Pan Alley to his emergence as a global superstar. Featuring classics like "Sweet Caroline," "America," and "Cracklin' Rosie," it's a nostalgic journey through decades of unforgettable hits.

Neil Berg's Fifty Years of Rock and Roll, Part 4

January 7-8, 2026

Tickets from $180-631

This beloved concert series returns for its fourth installment, taking audiences on a musical journey through rock and roll history. Featuring talented vocalists and a live band, the show covers everything from classic rock to contemporary hits.

The Book of Mormon

January 30 - February 1, 2026

Tickets from $250-485

From the creators of "South Park" comes this irreverent, hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical that follows two young Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda. Despite its controversial subject matter, the show has been praised for its heart, energy, and clever social commentary. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it's one of the most successful Broadway shows of the past two decades.

Dear Evan Hansen

February 21-23, 2026

Tickets starting around $60-110

This six-time Tony Award winner, including Best Musical, tells the profoundly moving story of a socially anxious high school senior whose life changes when a classmate's tragic death leads to an unexpected connection with the student's family. With its powerful score and relevant themes about social media, mental health, and the search for connection, "Dear Evan Hansen" has resonated with audiences worldwide.

Clue - A New Comedy

February 25 - March 1, 2026

Price range varies

Based on the iconic board game and cult classic film, this fast-paced murder mystery comedy features all your favorite characters—Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. Peacock, and more—as they try to solve a murder at a mysterious mansion dinner party. It's a clever, laugh-out-loud theatrical experience perfect for mystery lovers.

Other Notable Performances

The McCallum Theatre's winter season also features:

1. Dave Koz and Friends Christmas (December 22) - tickets from $115
2. Aaron Tveit (January 4) - tickets from $95
3. Katherine Jenkins (January 22) - tickets from $299
4. Paul Anka (January 17-18) - tickets from $226-236

Ticket Information:

Average ticket prices at McCallum Theatre in 2025 are approximately $196, though prices vary significantly by show and seating location. Tickets are available through the McCallum Theatre box office, Ticketmaster, and authorized resellers.

Plaza Theatre (Palm Springs)

Location: 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Website: palmspringsplazatheatre.com

Historic Venue: Originally opened in 1936

Parking: Downtown Palm Springs parking lots and street parking nearby

The historic Plaza Theatre is a Palm Springs icon that recently underwent extensive restoration. After closing for renovations in March 2024, this architectural gem reopened in December 2025, combining vintage charm with modern amenities. The theatre made history with its 1936 world premiere of "Camille" starring Greta Garbo, attended by presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.

Holiday & Winter Shows

A John Waters Christmas

December 5-6, 2025

Shows at 8:00 PM

The legendary filmmaker and provocateur brings his twisted holiday humor to Palm Springs for two nights only. Waters' annual Christmas show has become a cult favorite, featuring his signature irreverent humor and hilarious holiday-themed monologues.

Annie

December 4-11, 2025

Ticket prices vary

The beloved musical about the optimistic orphan who believes "the sun'll come out tomorrow" is perfect family entertainment for the holidays. Featuring unforgettable songs like "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard Knock Life," and "Maybe," this timeless classic brings warmth and joy to audiences of all ages.

Pops at the Plaza - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

December 22, 2025

7:30 PM performance

A festive celebration of holiday classics featuring talented performers in the beautifully restored theatre.

White Christmas: Sing-A-Long

December 24, 2025

3:00 PM matinee

A fun, interactive screening event perfect for Christmas Eve. Sing along to Irving Berlin's iconic songs in this beloved holiday film starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.

Judy Garland: We Need A Little Christmas

December 26, 2025

Performance time TBA

A holiday-themed tribute to one of entertainment's greatest legends, celebrating Judy Garland's iconic songs and performances.

Journals Of Adam & Eve

December 31, 2025

Performance time TBA

Ring in the New Year with this play starring television legends Hal Linden and Sally Struthers. Based on Mark Twain's humorous diaries, this production offers a comedic look at the first couple's life in the Garden of Eden.

Palm Springs Symphony Season

The Plaza Theatre is also home to the Palm Springs Symphony's 2025-2026 season, including:

1. Sleigh Ride & A Joyful Christmas Concert (December 7, 2025, 7:30 PM)
2. From Mozart to Modern – A Symphony Across Time (February 17, 2026)
3. An Evening of Elegance with the Red Violin (March 31, 2026)

Ticket Information:

Ticket prices at Plaza Theatre typically range from $47.70 to $279.90, with an average of $96.78. All tickets are sold exclusively through Ticketmaster. The theatre warns against third-party resale sites charging inflated prices.

Palm Canyon Theatre

Location: 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Website: palmcanyontheatre.net

Phone: 760-323-5123 (Box Office: Tues-Fri, 10 am-4 pm)

Parking: Street parking and nearby lots in Uptown Palm Springs

The Coachella Valley's longest-running theatre company, Palm Canyon Theatre, opened in 1997 in the historic Frances S. Stevens School building. Known for high-quality productions ranging from musicals to dramas, this intimate venue has become a beloved institution in the desert arts scene.

Upcoming Productions

Hair

February 6 - March 1, 2026

Tickets: $125-132

This vibrant rock musical captures the spirit of the 1960s counterculture as a tribe of young hippies fight for peace, love, and identity in a turbulent era. Bursting with freedom, rebellion, and powerful anthems like "Aquarius" and "Let the Sunshine In," Hair remains revolutionary and electric—a show that still resonates with its call for change. The production features the iconic score that defined a generation.

Sunset Boulevard

Coming Spring 2026

Andrew Lloyd Webber's hauntingly glamorous tale of fame, obsession, and faded dreams. When a struggling screenwriter meets a forgotten silent film star, the results are both dazzling and tragic. Featuring the iconic "As If We Never Said Goodbye," this musical is Hollywood noir at its best.

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Coming Spring 2026

Set in a brutal South American prison, this daring and poignant musical explores fantasy, love, and survival through the relationship between two very different cellmates.

Ticket Information:

Individual tickets and season subscriptions are available through the Palm Canyon Theatre box office or website. The theatre offers VIP experiences for select performances, including pre-show receptions with champagne and wine and post-show meet-and-greets with the cast.

Dezart Performs - Dezart Playhouse

Location: 605 S. Riverside Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Website: dezartperforms.org

Phone: 760-322-0179

Historic Venue: Formerly First Church of Christ, Scientist (designed by Albert Frey, 1957)

Palm Springs' only Equity theatre, Dezart Performs, is known for bold, cutting-edge productions that provoke dialogue and showcase diverse voices. The company recently moved to a stunning mid-century modern architectural landmark designed by renowned architect Albert Frey.

2025-2026 Season

West Side Story in Concert

November 13-15, 2025

Tickets: $57-78

The season opens with a gala celebration featuring a live orchestra and vocal ensemble performing Leonard Bernstein's timeless score. This marks the official debut of the new Dezart Playhouse.

Eureka Day

January 14-25, 2026

Regular tickets: $69 (includes fees); Opening Night (January 15) with post-show reception: $78

Winner of the 2025 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, this razor-sharp social satire dives into the fault lines of liberal America with biting wit and surprising heart. Set at a progressive private school in Berkeley, California, the play centers on a well-intentioned school board whose unity is shattered when a mumps outbreak triggers a fierce debate over vaccinations, personal freedom, and public health. As tensions rise, "Eureka Day" captures the spirit of our times and leaves audiences laughing, cringing, and reflecting on what it truly means to listen.

Destroying David

February 25 - March 8, 2026

West Coast Premiere

Love! Valour! Compassion!

April 8-19, 2026

By Terrence McNally

Performance Schedule:

Thursday-Friday: 7:00 PM

Saturday: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday: 2:00 PM

Revolution Stage Company

Location: 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 16, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Website: revolutionstagecompany.com

Parking: Street parking in South Palm Springs

Revolution Stage Company launched in 2023 with a mission to bring variety and innovation to Palm Springs theatre. Founded by Broadway veterans Gary Powers and James Owens, the company operates seven days a week, presenting a mix of musicals, plays, cabaret shows, and original works.

Upcoming Productions

Rent

November 7 and additional dates, 2025

Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock musical follows a year in the life of young artists struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. With songs that rock and a story that resonates across generations, "Rent" revolutionized musical theatre.

Assassins

January 16 and additional dates, 2026

Ticket prices vary

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Tony Award-winning musical takes audiences on a disturbing yet fascinating journey through the twisted underbelly of the American psyche. This groundbreaking work blends historical fact with theatrical invention to create a provocative examination of the men and women who attempted—and in some cases succeeded—to assassinate U.S. presidents.

Revolution Stage Company also hosts the popular Rise Up Cabaret series, open mic nights, and special one-night-only performances throughout the season.

Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep)

Location: 68510 East Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City, CA 92234

Website: cvrep.org

Phone: (760) 296-2966 ext. 101

Status: Small Professional Theatre (Actor's Equity)

CVRep is the only theater in the Coachella Valley with Small Professional Theatre status through Actors' Equity, bringing world-class productions to Cathedral City while supporting the community through educational programs and outreach initiatives.

2025-2026 Season

Dear Evan Hansen

December 3-21, 2025

Single tickets: $60-110; Season subscriptions: $250-370

The regional premiere of this six-time Tony Award winner tells the profoundly personal and tremendously moving story of a socially anxious high school senior who fabricates a friendship with a deceased classmate. Winner of the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and an Olivier Award, this contemporary musical will be presented in a new, intimate way on the CVRep stage.

One Man, Two Guvnors

January 14 - February 1, 2026

Season subscription or single tickets available

This ingenious Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award-winning comedy is a British reimagining of the classic Italian farce "The Servant of Two Masters." Comedy and farce run high as Francis Henshall becomes entangled in mistaken identities, gangsters, and romance. It's a complicated, convoluted, and thoroughly funny wild ride with plenty of music, sex, food, and laughs.

Guys and Dolls

February 25 - March 15, 2026

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, this beloved show features gamblers, missionaries, and unlikely romance set in Prohibition-era New York. Winner of multiple Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards, "Guys and Dolls" ran for 1,200 performances when it originally opened on Broadway in 1950.

Ernest Shackleton Loves Me

April 22 - May 10, 2026

From Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro comes this wildly inventive romantic comedy about a video game composer who connects across time with the famous polar explorer. Perfect for fans of CVRep's production of "The 39 Steps," this stylish musical comedy is a funny, romantic adventure for the ages.

Performance Schedule:

Wednesdays & Saturdays: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Thursdays & Fridays: 7:00 PM

Sundays: 2:00 PM

Special Events:

1. Opening Nights feature complimentary valet parking, pre-show hors d'oeuvres, and post-show desserts.
2. Talkback Thursdays offer behind-the-scenes conversations with cast and crew.
3. ASL-interpreted performances for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community

Planning Your Theatre Experience

Ticket Purchasing Tips

1. Book Early: Popular shows like "Moulin Rouge!" and "The Book of Mormon" sell out quickly, especially weekend performances.
2. Season Subscriptions: Most venues offer subscription packages that provide significant savings. CVRep's subscriptions range from $250 to $370 for four shows, while Dezart Performs offers packages from $57 to $ 78 per show.
3. Authorized Sellers Only: Purchase tickets through official box offices or authorized partners like Ticketmaster to avoid inflated prices from third-party resellers.
4. Rush Tickets & Discounts: Some theatres offer day-of-show rush tickets, student discounts, or special rates for seniors and military members. You can call the box offices directly to ask.

Getting to the Theatres

McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert):

Located on the College of the Desert campus with ample on-site parking. The venue is easily accessible from Highway 111.

Plaza Theatre (Palm Springs):

The downtown Palm Springs location means parking in nearby public lots or on nearby streets. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are convenient options, especially for evening performances.

Palm Canyon Theatre:

Located in Uptown Palm Springs with street parking available. The area features numerous restaurants perfect for pre-theatre dining.

Dezart Performs:

Off-street location with parking available. The mid-century modern building is worth arriving early to admire the architecture.

Revolution Stage Company:

South Palm Springs location near Revivals with street parking.

CVRep (Cathedral City):

Dedicated parking lot on-site. Opening Night performances include complimentary valet service.

Dining Before the Show

The Palm Springs area offers exceptional dining options near all theatres:

1. Near McCallum Theatre: Numerous restaurants along the El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert
2. Near Plaza Theatre: Downtown Palm Springs features dozens of restaurants within walking distance
3. Near Palm Canyon Theatre: Uptown Palm Springs dining district with casual and upscale options
4. Near CVRep: Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City offers diverse dining choices

Reserve restaurant tables in advance for pre-theatre dining, especially on weekends and for popular shows.