Announcing Our 25th Anniversary Season!

Desert Star Playhouse announces its 2013 anniversary season of hilarious shows. With a line-up that includes parodies of Hollywood blockbusters, book series phenomenon  and a Broadway classic, there will be laughs for the whole family. Season tickets go on sale August 28th for current season ticket holders and September 18th to the general public.

For 25 years Desert Star Playhouse has been producing one-of-a-kind musical comedies and this season is no exception.  Our 2013 season will have something for everyone to enjoy as we celebrate 25 years of family fun.  Here is a sneak peek at the hilarious 2013 season of shows. 

Science Fiction geek Walter gets a “Dear John” from his fiance because he spends too much time fantasizing about "Star Wars" and "Lord of the  Rings."  Now Walter must journey to Middle-Earth with a zany band of misfits to return balance to the the world...and his girlfriend.  Come along on this hilarious adventure to find out if Walter can defeat the Dark Lord Sharon and become a hero to couch potatoes everywhere.

 The Broadway musical of "Les Miz" is world renowned for its incredible music, operatic singing and dramatic storyline. Our version is just like that... only laugh-out-loud funny! Even if you've never seen the Broadway musical, we guarantee you’ll enjoy our hilarious comedic version of this classic tale! The story centers around Jean Levi-Jean, a man who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, and Inspector Javert, the obsessive constable who hounds him after he breaks parole. With funny songs, outrageous French accents, and lots of humor, it’s fun for the whole family.

Next Summer, Disney is releasing it’s next blockbuster, “The Lone Ranger”--from the same team that brought you "Pirates of the Caribbean," and starring--you guessed it--Johnny Depp.  We're pumped!  If you haven’t seen pictures online of Johnny dressed as Tonto with a bird nesting on his head, you've already missed a good laugh!  Desert Star is ready to poke fun at this classic cowboy and indian team in "The Lone Stranger."  Don’t miss our hilarious version!

 The futuristic book series and the blockbuster movie have captured the imagination of young and old alike!  Desert Star has also caught the fever and our imagination has been running wild.  Now, this popular story is about to get a Desert Star makeover.  Let’s face it, the subject matter of the original may be too dark for general audiences, but Desert Star is all about family fun!  Our all-new comedy promises to feed your hunger for laughs and have the entire family rolling in the aisles.

 

Have you ever wondered what happened to Ebenezer Scrooge after he decided to reform?  You’ll find out in this hilarious new chapter of the Christmas classic.  A vengeful Bob Cratchit wants to repay Scrooge for the years of misery he suffered.  With the help of his spoiled son, Tiny Tim, he plans to destroy Scrooge’s business. Belle, Scrooge’s old flame, becomes an unwitting pawn in Cratchit’s evil plans.  Now it’s up to Spirits of Christmas to save the day!  Filled with music, wacky characters and heartfelt moments, it’s the perfect entertainment for the holiday season! 

Call 801-266-2600 to renew your tickets today!

Conjuring Up A Wickeder New Parody

What if Vanna White went to Oz and became even more wicked than the Wicked Witch of the West? That’s the premise behind Wicked-er: It’s Not Easy Being Green, Desert Star’s new comedy opening August 30! With a new villain in town, the Wicked Witch must team up with her former enemies to battle their new foe.

Vanna White, the glamorous letter-turner from Wheel of Fortune, finds herself in Oz after an explosion blows her dressing room Over the Rainbow! She starts out much like Dorothy, getting the ruby sneakers and setting off in search of the Emerald City.  But things change when she leaves the Yellow Brick Road and follows her GPS system. Then Vanna learns how to control the ruby sneakers, and she becomes even wickeder than the Wicked Witch! Now the witches of Oz must join forces to defeat Vanna before she takes over their kingdom.

Here is the talented cast for this all new comedy

Vanna White – Corinne Adair, Michelle Smith

Glinda – Ashley Haslam, Carlie Christofferson

Tabitha – Kelly Clifton, Camee Faulk

Sheldon Cooper – Corey Brandenbutger, Andrew Nadon

Zach Galifinakis – Jeff Jensen, Adam Griffith

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Rick Miller, Matthew Mullaney

Pat Sajak and many others – Bryan Dayley, Tyrus Williams

Get Your Tickets Today!

                                            

Frequently Asked Questions

We get lots of questions here at Desert Star.  Our patrons are always asking what happened to their favorite actor, who writes our shows, and many other questions.  We thought it would be fun to begin answering the most common questions here.  So, we now introduce to you the Frequently Asked Questions feature on our blog.  We will periodically answer a few of these questions to give you a behind-the-scenes look at Desert Star Playhouse.

Do I need to see the original (movie, TV show, etc.) to understand your parody?

Uncle Cosmo helping with Family Home Evening
(David Martin)

No, we have received this question a lot in regards to our upcoming show "Wicked-er: It's Not Easy Being Green" so we thought we'd answer it for everyone.  Our shows are stand alone comedies and you never need to see the original to fully enjoy a show at Desert Star. For 25 years Desert Star Playhouse has produced parodies of Hollywood movies, hit TV shows, and the biggest hits on Broadway.  There’s  something for everyone regardless of whether you’ve seen the original show we’re parodying or not. 

Much of the comedy in our shows isn't based on the original story.  Jokes about current events, local sports teams, and pop culture often make their way into our productions.  Another thing that makes our shows fun is that the actors are allowed to improvise or change their lines.  This adds a fun feeling that “anything can happen” during the show.  

Why are there neckties hanging from the ceiling in the Dinner Theatre lobby?

The neckties date back to a fun tradition of the old Desert Star Steakhouse. The Steakhouse used to operate where the Dinner Theatre is now located. It was well known by our patrons for its delicious steak dinners and Western atmosphere. Because the restaurant had a casual atmosphere, if a guest came in wearing a necktie, the servers would cut it off with a large pair of shears and hang it from the ceiling as a “trophy.” As our guests became familiar with this tradition, they would deliberately wear ugly neckties to the Steakhouse just to see them cut off and hung from the ceiling. The victim’s name and the date that each trophy was claimed can be found on each necktie. One of our most prized "trophies" is a necktie one of our customers fashioned out of metal to try and prevent our servers from cutting it off. It is currently hanging in on the back wall of the Dinner Theatre.

What happened to our favorite actor?

We frequently get requests from our patrons to bring back their favorite actor.  Such a request implies that the actor is no longer working here because Desert Star won’t cast them.  That’s rarely true.  

Cruella Addams (Heather Ferguson)

If you’ve seen an actor in enough shows for them to become your favorite, that means we like them too.  If you haven’t seen them on our stage in a while, it’s most likely their choice.  It’s disappointing to us too when a talented actor decides to take a break.  They do it for a variety reasons.  Sometimes it's for a wedding, or health issues, and to do a show somewhere else.   Happily, these actors will frequently return later on, and we we’re delighted when one of the old gang decides to come back.

For example in our current show, "The Addams Family Home Evening," the part of Cruella Addams is played by two familiar faces that have been absent for over a year.  Heather Ferguson and Julie Heaton have returned after taking some time off and we are glad to have them back.

Can I do a marriage proposal at Desert Star?

Getting engaged is one of the most important events in person’s life, and we’re honored when one of our patrons wants to make Desert Star part of that special memory.  Not only that, but our audiences love being a part of this thrilling moment.  

If you want to propose to that special someone at Desert Star, here’s how it works: We’ll create an opportunity during our “birthdays and anniversaries” intermission to get you and your intended-fiancé on stage in front of the entire audience.  If you wish, you can arrange to have flowers brought from off stage.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to say a few words and pop the big question while receiving thunderous applause from the audience.  

Due to time constraints, we’re unable to permit special songs, skits, prerecorded music, friends on stage, or other elaborate things that would lengthen out the proposal.  

If you’d like to have your proposal at Desert Star, contact the box office at (801)-266-2600 at least a week in advance to make arrangements.