The newly restored Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs will reopen its doors to the public Monday with a monthlong slate of shows, starting with an “Opening Night Gala.”
“Wicked” actress Cynthia Erivo will headline the gala at 7:30 p.m. Monday at 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
Erivo is a Tony-, Grammy- and Emmy-award winner as well as a three-time Academy Award-nominated actress, singer and producer.
“Opening night at the Plaza is the moment we’ve all been waiting for,” said John Bolton, Senior Vice President of Oak View Group and the theater’s general manager. “We’re honored to welcome Cynthia Erivo for this milestone performance; it’s the perfect way to begin a vibrant new chapter in the Plaza’s story.”
Erivo’s one-night performance will feature Mark Meadows and the Palm Springs Pops Orchestra.
Every ticket will include a copy of her book, “Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much,” a commemorative ticket and a limited-edition poster created exclusively for opening night.
Actress Lily Tomlin will perform at 7:30 p.m. this Tuesday through Thursday. Tomlin has received nine Emmys, two Tony awards, a Grammy, two Peabody awards, the The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center Honor and the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, officials said.
She has starred film and TV productions including “The Late Show,” “9 to 5,” “The Incredible Shrinking Woman,” and Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie.” Tomlin is also known for her break-out characters on the sketch comedy show “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in” from 1969 to 1973, which included caustic telephone operator Ernestine and precocious 5 1/2-year-old Edith Ann.
The following day filmmaker John Waters will present his comedy revival “A John Waters Christmas,” at 8 p.m.
Other scheduled events will include:
— Palm Springs Symphony from Dec. 7-July 4, 2026;
— Comedian Fortune Feimster on Dec. 8;
— Palm Springs Icons on Dec. 8;
— Palm Springs Speaks series with Rob Reiner on Dec. 16, and
— Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus from Dec. 19-April 26, 2026.
Since 1936, the venue has hosted a variety of events starting with its opening night with the world premiere of the Oscar-winning film, “Camille,” starring Greta Garbo. It has hosted movie premieres and live radio shows featuring stars like Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Amos ‘n’ Andy, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
The Plaza Theatre’s restoration process began in March 2024 under the management of Oak View Group and a partnership between it and the Plaza Theatre Foundation and the city of Palm Springs.
Information on additional events and tickets can be found at www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events.