By Dee Jae Cox
Showcasing the intimacy and glamour of a bygone era, the Purple Room at the Club Trinidad in Palm Springs, is billed as a place that the locals go and one of the original Rat Pack Hangouts where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to eat, drink and play.
And over 50 years after opening its doors in 1960, The Purple Room continues the tradition of wonderful food and great entertainment. On Sunday evenings at 7pm, the stage Features the talent and brilliance of Michael Holmes and his one ‘woman’ show, “The Judy Show”.
Holmes, as the incomparable Judy Garland, gives us an evening with Hollywood Golden Era legends. Parody never looked so good. Holmes performance as the tormented singer is unparalleled, and with each change of costume and wig, we are introduced to greats such as, Carol Channing, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn and Tallulah Bankhead. Holmes’ ability to capture the voices and mannerisms of these Hollywood icons provides for a show that hasn’t been seen since Garland’s death in 1969. His moment of whipping off Carol Channing’s wig and morphing into Louis Armstrong, for a brief interlude of Hello Dolly, was unexpected and brilliant.
Betty Davis’ quip “I took my mother in law to be cremated, but she didn’t want to go.” Caused a spontaneous burst of laughter that kept me smiling long after the show was over.
It’s impossible to keep the smiles and good feelings in check. From the opening of the curtain to the final moving rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, this show delivers, unadulterated fun and entertainment.
Holmes style of continually engaging the audience with wit and humor guarantees that each performance is unique and along with the memorable music, this show is as tight and well written as it gets.
Celebrated pianist, Jim Rice, accompanies the performance and provides continuity to the show as Holmes readies each new character for their entrance. His singing and piano accompaniment brings a through line of good times and laughter to “The Judy Show”. Well-researched nuances of these Hollywood performers make this a show you’ll want to see again just to catch what you might have missed the first time around.
This evening out is a whole package. Beginning at 5:30pm, go early for the excellent food and service, have a drink and sit back for a full evening of pleasure. This is a night out for adults so leave the kids at home, you’ll be glad that you indulged in this evening of the best good old fashioned entertainment you can get from a man in a dress.
The Judy Show is performed Sunday nights at 7pm
The Purple Room, located at
1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264
For Reservations: www.purpleroompalmsprings.com
Phone: 760.322.4422
Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project and the host of KPTR 1450’s hit radio show, “California Woman 411” in Palm Springs.
