Hi-Desert Cultural Center hosts two days of Molière Comedy written over 300 years ago!

THE MIRROR OF THE THEATRE CONSISTENTLY PROVES THAT THE MORE WE CHANGE, THE MORE WE STAY THE SAME!

JOSHUA TREE, CA – “The Imaginary Cuckold” is presented as a special engagement for two days this weekend only at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center’s Blak Box Theatre. Originally commissioned by the City of Rancho Mirage, these special performances are by the award-winning California Desert Regional Theatre.

Sganarelle is “The Imaginary Cuckold” a loutish man of the provinces. He becomes outraged by what he incorrectly perceives to be his wife's affair with a young man who, in turn, thinks his fiancé is secretly married to Sganarelle.  In a rapidly developing situation of misunderstandings and coincidences, Molière skewers the absurdities and foibles of human nature in a high-energy comedy that promises to delight contemporary audiences as much as it did audiences over 300 years ago. According to producer Justin Blake,  “There are reasons certain pieces of literature become classics. “The Imaginary Cuckold” is one of the best examples.”

This sitcom style comedy features several well-known and accomplished actors from the Lower Desert. According to Blake, “It can be argued that Molière was the original sitcom writer.  He selects human foibles, foibles that we all recognize in one another, and makes fun of them, and makes us laugh at each other. This is the basic tenants of how current day sitcoms are written.  For this reason, we play this production as though it was an episode of the Honeymooners, further demonstrating that the mirror of the theatre consistently proves that the more we change, the more we stay the same!”

“The Imaginary Cuckold” plays Friday evening, November 21, 2008 at 8:00 p.m., and two shows on Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Blak Box Theatre, located directly behind the historical Hi-Desert Playhouse at 61231 Hwy 62, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.  Tickets are $14 adults and $12 seniors, children and military.  To order tickets, call the Box Office at 760.366.3777 to talk to a “live” person, or order tickets online at www.hidesertculturalcenter.com using the new, easy to use Vendini ticketing system.

ON THE VERGE
DECEMBER 5, 2008

"On the Verge" is a dynamic play about the adventures of three Victorian women exploring into what they believe to be Terra Incognita, a new, unexplored land. The three are from very different exploration backgrounds but all exhibit their own form of independence from the world in general and specifically men. The three together discuss many aspects of their pasts in exploring, with Mary and Fanny frequently trying to outdo each other. This special performance is by the award-winning Groves Cabin Theatre.

SCHOLARSHIP CONCERTS & RECITALS
DECEMBER 6, 2008

The Desert Music Foundation is proud to announce the Seventh Annual Scholarship Concerts and Recitals. With over 70 musicians, over $11,000 have been awarded to aspiring students of music since its beginning. This program of instrumental and vocal performances will conclude with a special concert by the Desert's premier community orchestra, the Junior Philharmonic. The Scholarship Concerts provide performance opportunities for student musicians. All students of music are welcome to participate.