By Dee Jae Cox
Hollywood has its Oscars. Broadway has its Tony Awards… and here in the Coachella Valley we are always excited as the summer drifts towards Fall and the anticipation of the DESERT STAR Award nominations are revealed. As the new theatrical seasons are announced, it’s exciting to take stock of the previous season’s productions and acknowledge some of the incredible work that was presented.
The Desert Theatre League (DTL), a non-profit organization that was founded in 1987, and whose mission is to support and cultivate theatre in the Coachella Valley, annually sponsors the Desert Star Awards in order to recognize outstanding achievement in theatre arts. After emerging from the long darkness imposed by Covid, Coachella Valley Theatres were once more alive and producing some of the best shows available.
The Desert Star Awards Ceremony will be held on October 16, 2022 at Sun City Palm Desert. Tickets are on sale now.
Here is a partial list of the DESERT STAR AWARD NOMINEES.
(For a complete list please visit, https://deserttheatreleague.org/2022-nominees)
DRAMA
Outstanding Production of a Drama
Crimes of the Heart – Desert Rose Playhouse
Cyrano de Bergerac – Palm Canyon Theatre
Drag – Desert Rose Playhouse
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Desert Theatreworks
Sex – Desert Rose Playhouse
Outstanding Production of a Drama – Professional
Electricity – Desert Rose Playhouse
The Guys – Palm Canyon Theatre
The Mountain Top – Dezart Performs
The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama
Abe Daniel – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Desert Theatreworks
Kathryn Ferguson – Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express – Theatre 29
Richard Marlow – This Side of Crazy – Palm Canyon Theatre
The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama – Professional
Judith Chapman – The Guys – Palm Canyon Theatre
Judith Chapman – The Beebo Brinker Chronicles – Desert Ensemble Theatre
Steve Rosenblaum – Electricity – Desert Rose Playhouse
Michael Shaw – The Mountain Top – Dezart Performs
Robbie Wayne – Sex – Desert Rose Playhouse
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
Brent Anderson – The Beebo Brinker Chronicles – Desert Ensemble Theatre
Ian Ferris – Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express – Theatre 29
Jonathan Hatsios – Middletown – College of the Desert
Rowan Jordan – Middletown – College of the Desert
Jason Reale – Drag – Desert Rose Playhouse
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama – Professional
Mel England – Electricity – Desert Rose Playhouse
Cortez Johnson – The Mountain Top – Dezart Performs
Terry Ray – Sex – Desert Rose Playhouse
Terry Ray- -Electricity – Desert Rose Playhouse
Robbie Wayne – Sex – Desert Rose Playhouse
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Katrina Dixon – Cyrano de Bergerac – Palm Canyon Theatre
Laura Martinez – Crimes of the Heart – Desert Rose Playhouse
Daniela Ryan – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Desert Theatreworks
Virginia Sulick – Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express – Theatre 29
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama – Professional
Judith Chapman – The Guys – Palm Canyon Theatre
Shante Deloach – The Mountain Top – Dezart Performs
Deborah Harmon – This Side of Crazy – Palm Canyon Theatre
Elizabeth Schmelling – The Beebo Brinker Chronicles – Desert Ensemble Theatre
Alexana Thomas – The Beebo Brinker Chronicles – Desert Ensemble Theatre
Emily Unnasch – Crimes of the Heart – Desert Rose Playhouse
Yo Younger – This Side of Crazy – Palm Canyon Theatre
For a complete list of catagories and nominees, please visit the Desert Theatre league website.
https://deserttheatreleague.org/2022-nominees
Award Ceremony October 16, 2022
Tickets are $48.-$53
Sun City Palm Desert Community Association
38180 Del Webb Blvd.
(Near the intersection of Del Webb Blvd. and Grape Arbor Ave.)
Palm Desert, CA 92211
For More information on the Desert Star Awards visit: https://deserttheatreleague.org
Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer.
Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. www.losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org
And Co-Creator of the Palm Springs Theatre Go-To-Guide,
