In its golden years, the Plaza Theatre wasn’t just any movie house. It was a stage for world premieres, including huge hits like “My Fair Lady” and “Music Man.” If you had tuned in to the radio in the 1940s, you might just have heard Jack Benny or Bob Hope broadcasting live from right here, their jokes soaring out across the nation and putting Palm Springs squarely on the map. The theatre even hosted the zany “Village Insanities,” with their wild costumes and laughter echoing off the walls-Palm Springs’ very own circus of sorts.
The theatre eventually went quiet in 1989, but that silence was short-lived. Enter Riff Markowitz-part showman, part magician, and full-time lover of good times. He waved a metaphorical magic wand and, in 1990, brought the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies to life. Imagine a dazzling lineup of singers, dancers, and comedians, most of them seasoned performers with more sequins (and stories) than the audience! Stars like Dorothy Kloss, the so-called “World’s Oldest Showgirl,” and Leonard Crofoot, a familiar face for Star Trek fans, graced the stage. The Follies drew crowds until 2014 and even earned themselves an Oscar-nominated documentary called “Still Kicking.”
And just when you thought the final curtain had fallen, hope for the Plaza Theatre took center stage once again. After being paused by the pandemic, the “Save The Plaza Theatre” campaign has reignited with millions in donations and ambitious plans to restore this grand dame to her original splendor-and yes, add some 21st-century flair. In a way, this place is a bit like the movies it’s hosted: there are moments of drama, laughter, a few plot twists, and-if all goes well-a happy ending. Welcome to Palm Springs history, center stage!
