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Exorcising "Zelda"

Well, maybe I don’t hate remodeling, in general. Maybe I just hate being responsible for making the aesthetic decisions associated with overhauling a room. I’m sure you know the feeling…the sense that you might not have found the perfect bathroom vanity (who knew there were so many options?!). Doing your best, but later realizing that you should have gone with a pewter finish rather than brushed nickel on the drawer pulls. I tend to be a perfectionist, and I really heavily critique my efforts (in almost everything). I’m a Virgo, after all!

Confession time….I have been involved in an ongoing renovation project since late July. Since that time, I have helped the Desert Rose Playhouse vacate their old digs in Rancho Mirage and relocate to heir new location at the old Zelda’s nightclub in downtown Palm Springs. The packing up of a theatre can be quite daunting. We’re taking about office supplies, furniture, scenery pieces, costumes, sound and lighting (and all their necessary wiring), props, paint, etc. etc. etc. – you really can’t imagine all the offstage accoutrement needed to stage a production; it boggles the mind, and Desert Rose is no exception. And all of this effort was done while adhering to social distancing guidelines!

Once everything was moved to the new location, it came time to reorganize and prep the space. Zelda’s was closed by the city about 18 months ago….and it’s as though the staff literally walked out leaving everything behind. I never knew I nightclub had so much stuff! We needed to address the cases of spoiled beer, the open bottles of liquor which still adorned the three…yes, THREE bars. And two….yes, TWO 16 foot stripper poles!

Robbie Wayne (Artistic Director) and his fiancée Matthew McLean (Production Manager) are doing an amazing job transforming a former nightclub into what will be a premier performance space! I’ve seen the preliminary plans, and it’s going to be incredible! And I feel very fortunate to help them in this amazing transformation. With live theatre on a hiatus due to the pandemic, I’m very grateful to have some theatrical outlet, even if it’s only emptying trashcans, dumping out spoiled beer, reorganizing cleaning supplies, and all the other tasks required to exorcise “Zelda” out of the new playhouse. And it’s a great workout!

I don’t want to dwell too much on the work being done, since I don’t want to steal Robbie and Matthew’s thunder because they have been working like Trojans along with Paul Mariani and Ben “Duke” Core. Muscleman (and Sweetheart) Clay Sales has also been so helpful…creating gorgeous tote bags for fundraising, and using his big, sexy muscles (RAWR!) to load and unload trucks. Michael Shaw, Artistic Director of Dezart Performs, has also been on hand to help! And so many in the community have provided such generous support during this transition! Thank you all!

Once the initial demolition and cleanup has been finished, there will be a call for volunteers to help complete the transformation. I’ll send along more information, but I hope you will help. And, of course, you can find updates on the theatre’s website and their Facebook page!

https://desertroseplayhouse.org/how-to-be-involved/

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