Palmdale Playhouse announces winter/spring schedule

PALMDALE – The Palmdale Playhouse, located at 38334 10th St. East in Palmdale, has announced its 2016 winter/spring lineup. It includes classic movies, art exhibits, musical theatre, dance performances, classical concerts and more!

The fun starts with the Winter Classic Movie Series, featuring films that are beloved by fans and critics, shown on the big screen. Leading off the series will be the Alfred Hitchcock classic “Psycho,” on Sunday, Feb. 14. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the movie begins at 2 p.m. Arrive early and enjoy a complimentary dessert and beverage with paid admission. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $4 for students with a current ID. A four pack of tickets is available for $15

Other movies in the series include the 1944 American film noir “Double Indemnity” on Sunday, Feb. 21; the 1954 crime drama “On the Waterfront,” on Sunday, March 13; and the 1950 black comedy/drama “Sunset Boulevard” on Sunday, March 20.

The first of two art exhibits on display in the Playhouse gallery opens on Thursday, Feb. 18, with a reception for “Fractured Landscapes & Joshua Trees,” featuring the works of artists Rose Gonella and Kris Holladay-Fregoso. The reception will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and is free. The exhibit will run until Sunday, April 17.

Coming in March, Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion and Toto will take the stage as the City of Palmdale and Palmdale Repertory Theatre present “The Wizard of Oz” on Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m.

Presented by special arrangement with Tams Witmark Music Library, this stage production is based on the classic 1939 film. Musical favorites will include “Over The Rainbow,” “Munchkinland-Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead,” “We’re Off To See the Wizard,” and “The Merry Old Land Of Oz.” Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under.

After the Wizard of Oz shows, West Coast Classical comes to the Playhouse for two very special shows. On Saturday, March 12 at 6:30 pm, they will present “An Evening of Musical Inspiration,” featuring musical solos, duets and ensemble pieces presented by the West Coast Classical Orchestras. Tickets are $12.

On Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m., West Coast Classical will present “A Tribute to Disney,” featuring performances of some of the most beloved songs  from Disney movies, including Frozen, Aladdin, Snow White, The Lion King and Monsters Inc. Tickets are $15.

On Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m., the Palmdale Junior Ballet and Theatre Dance Company students will present “Danceworks: In Progress,” a showcase of dance by guest choreographers and dance artists, plus student works in progress developed during ballet/modern dance improve classes. Tickets are $5.

Switching back to art, the Playhouse will host “My Favorite Things in the Spring,” featuring the art of the Juanita McWilliams Art Team, from Thursday, April 21, through Sunday, June 12. A free opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Juanita McWilliams has worked as a fine artist and teacher for more than 15 years, and has sold her art at Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station with Art LA Academy/James Gray Gallery, and at Palmdale Playhouse. “Juanita’s students created the collections on display,” said Palmdale’s Recreation Supervisor Annie M. Pagliaro. “They range in age from five years to adult, with the students take painting and drawing classes at Palmdale City Library. This is the first art showing for some of these students, who are excited to showcase their work and what they want to express.”

The Palmdale School District takes over the Playhouse stage on the weekend of April 28 and 29. On Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m., the Palmdale School District’s Honor Band, Orchestra, Mariachi & Jazz Band will perform “The Jim Rosenquist Honor Spring Concert,” featuring classical, pop, jazz and mariachi music of well-known composers such as Beethoven, John Williams and the Beatles. Tickets are $8.

The following day, Friday, April 29, at 6 p.m., Palmdale School District students will present “A Folklorico Music & Dance Celebration,” a celebratory concert of mariachi music paired with traditional folklorico dance. Tickets are $8.

Live theatre returns in May, when the Palmdale Repertory Theatre presents “Cheaper by the Dozen”, on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under.

Wrapping up the winter/spring schedule will be the West Coast Classical Jazz Combo’s “An Evening of Jazz” on Saturday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m. This musical celebration will pay homage to jazz giants, featuring compositions by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, George Gershwin, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker and more. Tickets are $15.

Tickets for all Palmdale Playhouse events may be purchased online at www.cityofpalmdale.org/playhouse, or at the Box Office beginning two hours before each show, 38334 10th St. East in Palmdale. For more information, call 661-267-5684.

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

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