City leaders and arts lovers are celebrating Friday a new partnership between the historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre and the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus.
Theater officials announced earlier this week that the chorus will become the inaugural resident artist for the newly restored venue, set to reopen in December.
The multi-year partnership begins with the chorus’ holiday show, “Bells, Brass & Sass,” scheduled for Dec. 19-21, theater officials said. The show will feature holiday classics, including from “Elf the Musical” and “The Sound of Music,” and a special guest appearance to be announced at a later date, theater officials said.
The Gay Men’s Chorus will return April 24-26 to perform “Rhinestones & Rainbows,” which will be a nod to Dolly Parton.
“This multi-year partnership is a love letter to Palm Springs,” John Bolton, senior vice president of the Plaza Theatre, said in a statement. “The Plaza Theatre is deeply committed to supporting local arts, and we’re thrilled to welcome the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus as a cornerstone of that commitment.”
The theatre first opened in 1936 and went on to host movie premieres and nationally broadcast radio shows featuring Bob Hope, “Amos ‘n’ Andy,” Bing Crosby and even Frank and Nancy Sinatra as guests, according to the theater’s website.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte said, “As the inaugural resident artists, (the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus) will showcase this historic venue to a new generation of arts and culture enthusiasts. I am proud and excited for them to kick-off the 2025 holiday season.”
Tickets for the 2025-2026 season won’t be available until later this year.