Based on the Some Like it Hot screenplay, runs March 25-April 3 at PCT
By Cara Van Dijk
Palm Springs loves Marilyn Monroe! And, for fans still missing her flowing white gown in downtown, a glimpse of the star can be spotted at Palm Canyon Theatre – well, sort of. The sultry songstress, Sugar Kane, made famous by Monroe, will take to the stage in Sugar, running March 25-April 3.
Seasoned actress and managing producer of Palm Canyon Theatre, Se Layne, will reprise the Sugar Kane role from the 1929 movie Some Like it Hot in the musical version, Sugar. Premiering on Broadway in 1972, Sugar was written by Peter Stone, with music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill.
The witty story goes like this: Two unemployed musicians, Jerry, played by Ben Reese, and Joe, played by Allen Jenkins, witness the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago. In order to escape mob boss Spats Palazzo, played by Matt Sambrano, and his henchmen, the two men dress as women and join an all female band led by Sweet Sue, played by Marcia Harp.
Complications arise when Joe, now known as Josephine, falls in love with the band’s beautiful singer, Sugar Kane, who has some issues with relationships. Sugar is obsessed with the idea of marrying a millionaire, prompting Joe to disguise himself as the man of her dreams.
Meanwhile, the elderly and wealthy Osgood Fielding, Jr., Don Cilluffo, is pursuing Daphne, unaware she is actually Jerry in drag. Although Jerry is beginning to enjoy all the attention and expensive gifts from Fielding, he believes he must reveal his true gender to his doting suitor. If these shenanigans aren’t enough, re-enter mob boss Spatz and his gang as they discover who Josephine and Daphne really are.
Additional cast include PCT company members Ron Coranado, Steven Lee, Bianca Collins, Allegra De Angelo, Jaque La Blanqe, Jose Espareze. Sugar is directed by William “Bill” Layne with musical direction by Steven Smith.
Sugar opens Friday, March 25, and runs weekends through Sunday, April 3. Show times are 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $32-$36. Student tickets are $15, with valid ID; student tickets must be purchased at the Box Office.
For tickets, call the Palm Canyon Theatre Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online: PalmCanyonTheatre.org. The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive, across from Koffi inside The Corridor. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information call 760-323-5123.
