March 31, 2026 at 2 p.m. Staged readings are free ticketed events open to the public.
COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY presents the staged reading of THE BEAUTY BUBBLE by JOYCE CALLO, the third of four new plays selected from CVRep’s 2025 ORIGINS NEW WORKS PROGRAM.
In a retro, kitschy desert beauty salon bursting with nostalgia and neon wigs, a grieving hairstylist, his chaotic sister, a snarky Manhattan diva, a timid widow, and a runaway drag queen band together to save their beloved Beauty Bubble—and, in the process, remake themselves in ways none of them expected.
The reading will be held on Tuesday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at CVRep. THE BUBBLE MACHINE is one of more than 700 submissions selected for a staged reading. The final work will be THE AGENCY by LIA ROMEO, scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 at 2 p.m. The first two readings were of A Christmas Coven by Kate Mickere and Killer, by Steve Apostolina. One of the four may be chosen for a full production in an upcoming season. The public is invited to attend these readings and participate in post-performance Q&A sessions with the authors, directors and cast members. Attendance at the readings is free. To monitor seating capacity, reservations need to be made in advance using CVRep’s website, www.CVRep.org.
CVRep partners with award-winning, internationally recognized playwrights and provides a collaborative, creative, pressure-free environment for writers and composers to see and hear their works performed their works reach their full potential. They hear their works aloud, possibly for the first time, with professional actors. During workshops and rehearsals leading to the readings, experienced theatre professionals are present to offer their personal insights and guidance to the playwrights.
The two plays selected from the ORIGINS program that have already received full productions by CVRep: Summer Session With The Bones Brigade by Kirby Fields and The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks by Gregg Ostrin.
CVRep Executive Creative Director Adam Karsten and ORIGINS’ New Works Development Coordinator Katie Gilligan noted that the 2025 works receiving their readings are thoughtful, entertaining, well-crafted, and offer a variety of different stories and perspectives — from a group of women in Burbank who dabble in the dark arts, to a Texas high-school football player suffering from a traumatic brain injury, to a young actress with big dreams and questionable ethics.
Adam Karsten said, “Broadway producers and theaters are no longer taking risks with new, untried works. CVRep is fortunate to be in a position to support and encourage talented artists as they develop significant new works. With ORIGINS, CVRep’s intent is to expand theatre-going opportunities in the Coachella Valley that are unique, professional, entertaining, and even daring. ORIGINS is a ‘page to stage’ program that is committed to the full development of major new plays and musicals and to providing discerning audiences to emerging new playwrights and their works.”
2025/2026 SEASON SPONSORS
Erica Hiller Carpenter • Myron and Joanne Mintz
CO-SPONSORS
David Cohan and Rene Bernard with Marc Schwartz and Jack Grossbart
Joe Giarrusso and Charlie Paglia with David Dotlich and Doug Elwood
UNDERWRITERS
Suz Hunt • Dean and Jackie Stolber • Phyllis Siegel
