By Madeline Zuckerman
Members of The Springs Woman, a support group of The Springs Country Club in Rancho Mirage, gathered recently for their final luncheon of the season, raising much-needed funds for Volunteers In Medicine. The Springs Woman is very proud of the fact that it has been the single largest outside fundraising group for Coachella Valley Volunteers In Medicine, which now has two clinics in Indio and Palm Springs. Since 2014, The Springs Woman has raised in excess of $150,000 to support this nonprofit in our community.
The elegantly-attired women, as well as, a handful of handsome gents in attendance listened intently as Adam Karsten, CV Repertory’s Executive Artistic Director, talked about his love of theatre, his career path to the Coachella Valley, some of the exciting productions to come, and the recent launch of CV Rep’s 2023 Summer Cabaret Series. CV Rep is an educational, dramatic, and musical theatre organization, whose vision is to be one of America’s premier regional Actor’s Equity playhouses, providing leadership in arts presentations and making an essential contribution to the cultural vitality of the Coachella Valley communities it serves. CV Rep is the only theatre within the Coachella Valley that has Small Professional Theatre (SPT) status with Actor’s Equity.
Adam Karsten was appointed Executive Artistic Director of CV Rep, following the retirement of Ron Celona, CV Rep’s Founding Artistic Director who created Coachella Valley Repertory over 14 years ago. Karsten joined the company after many years of producing and directing with the Emmy Award winning performing arts series, Live From Lincoln Center, and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), as well as, having served as Managing Artistic Director for Weathervane Playhouse in Columbus, Ohio. Over the last 20 years, Karsten has also directed theatrical works Off-Broadway, regionally, with national touring productions and Broadway Workshop productions.
“I have always dreamed of being in a room with so many lovely ladies like this,” said Karsten. “I wake up with gratitude that I am in a place where I am feeling extremely grateful. I would like to share with you today why I came to the Coachella Valley, and what I hope to accomplish here. I quickly realized there were several things about CV Rep that had enormous potential. It is an intimate, professional, and extremely well-equipped theatre, and it exists with a savvy audience of theatre goers. I believe the Arts are so essential to all of us.”
Starting on May 4th and running through August 24, 2023, the Summer Cabaret Series, presented in CV Rep’s casual, intimate setting, takes place on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. The series opens with Melissa Errico on May 4, followed by Alan H. Green on May 11, Steve Ross on May 18, Teri Ralston and Alix Korey on June 8, two evenings with Glenn Rosenblum and Guest Artists on June 15 and August 3, Christiane Noll on June 22, Flamenco Company Miguel Bernal on July 13, Maximo Marcuso on July 20, Christia Mantzke on July 27, Lisa Vroman on August 10, Mark Evans on August 17, and Artists from CV Rep’s acclaimed production of ONCE: Molly Coyne, Trevor Lindley Craft and Eileen Doan on August 24. Each one of these performers is a captivating storyteller, using music, personal experiences, and passions to take audiences on memorable journeys.
During the luncheon, Judie Johnson, Founder of The Springs Woman, stepped to the podium to acknowledge outgoing President Mary Hockin, for her many accomplishments as President of The Springs Woman over the past 4 years. Johnson then announced Joan Lynch is the incoming President of The Springs Woman.
“it is hard to believe that The Springs Woman 2022/2023 luncheons are over for the season,” said Joan Lynch, incoming President of The Springs Woman. “We closed our season with a delightful and informative presentation by Adam Karsten of CV Rep. It is exciting to realize that many of our members are already avid supporters of CV Rep and I’m sure that our other members and guests want to add CV Rep’s upcoming productions to their list of “not to miss” events. The Springs Woman has more than doubled over the past several years. Membership and participation are open to all individuals, and we welcome and encourage gentleman to join us! We are already focused on planning the 2023/2024 season which will begin in November.”
The Springs Country Club
The Springs Country Club is considered the Premier Golf Community within the Coachella Valley. With its stunning views and impeccable condition, The Springs’ 18-hole Desmond Muirhead Signature Course is often described as the best kept secret in the Valley. But it’s only one part of the complete golf experience at The Springs. Members enjoy at 30-tee driving range, short game area, putting green, a spectacular new clubhouse and much more. When Desmond Muirhead designed this masterpiece at The Springs, the goal was to challenge and reward players of all levels. The results? Every round offers something different and something memorable for scratch golfers and novices alike.
For more information please contact 760-324-8292 or visit www.thespringsrm.com
