Plaza Theatre

Share Plaza Theatre on Facebook Share Plaza Theatre on Twitter Share Plaza Theatre on Linkedin Email Plaza Theatre link


The Plaza Theatre is a city-owned historic theatre located in Downtown Palm Springs. The theatre has an impressive role in the history of Palm Springs. Its iconic identity was established on its opening to the public in 1936 with the world premiere of the Oscar-winning George Cukor film, Camille, with its legendary star, Greta Garbo, who allegedly slipped into the back of the theatre after the lights went down. In addition to being a movie theatre, it was also the venue for nationally-broadcast radio theatre programs by such luminaries as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, and Amos ‘n’ Andy.

Over the decades, the building has deteriorated, and the Plaza Theatre Foundation was established to raise funds for restoration of this important building. The City of Palm Springs asked the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to expand its mission beyond the restoration itself and to then operate the theatre once it is reopened. The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to support this renovation and also provide startup costs once it is completed. The Foundation has already raised approximately $16.5 M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses.

The restoration project is now underway. Woodcliff Construction of Los Angeles has been hired to oversee the comprehensive renovation of the historic building. The restoration work will take approximately one year to complete, allowing the Plaza Theatre to open in 2025.

The renovated Plaza Theatre will remain a City of Palm Springs facility bringing arts and culture to downtown Palm Springs. When reopened, it will be an affordable community venue showcasing diverse programming, promoting multi-cultural programming in film, music, live theater, education, comedy, and entertainment for all.

The Foundation has partnered with Oak View Group to bring diverse high-quality programming to the theatre. Oak View Group (OVG) is the owner and operator of Acrisure Arena, Southern California’s newest 11,000-capacity world-class venue in Greater Palm Springs. It also owns the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the AHL’s 32nd franchise and the affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. OVG will provide day-to-day management of the historic theatre and secure programming and new sponsorship opportunities. All interested parties that would like to use the theatre are invited to explore booking opportunities at Booking@PSPlazaTheatre.org and be part of this exciting journey.

The Plaza Theatre will once again become a major economic driver for the City, generating millions in economic activity and will bring hundreds of visitors and locals per week to the downtown to see quality entertainment. Its estimated annual financial impact is $40 million and the estimated annual tax benefit to Palm Springs is $4 million.

Status: Under Construction

For more information, visit: https://savetheplazatheatreps.com/

The Plaza Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity corporation.

Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.


The Plaza Theatre is a city-owned historic theatre located in Downtown Palm Springs. The theatre has an impressive role in the history of Palm Springs. Its iconic identity was established on its opening to the public in 1936 with the world premiere of the Oscar-winning George Cukor film, Camille, with its legendary star, Greta Garbo, who allegedly slipped into the back of the theatre after the lights went down. In addition to being a movie theatre, it was also the venue for nationally-broadcast radio theatre programs by such luminaries as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, and Amos ‘n’ Andy.

Over the decades, the building has deteriorated, and the Plaza Theatre Foundation was established to raise funds for restoration of this important building. The City of Palm Springs asked the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to expand its mission beyond the restoration itself and to then operate the theatre once it is reopened. The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to support this renovation and also provide startup costs once it is completed. The Foundation has already raised approximately $16.5 M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses.

The restoration project is now underway. Woodcliff Construction of Los Angeles has been hired to oversee the comprehensive renovation of the historic building. The restoration work will take approximately one year to complete, allowing the Plaza Theatre to open in 2025.

The renovated Plaza Theatre will remain a City of Palm Springs facility bringing arts and culture to downtown Palm Springs. When reopened, it will be an affordable community venue showcasing diverse programming, promoting multi-cultural programming in film, music, live theater, education, comedy, and entertainment for all.

The Foundation has partnered with Oak View Group to bring diverse high-quality programming to the theatre. Oak View Group (OVG) is the owner and operator of Acrisure Arena, Southern California’s newest 11,000-capacity world-class venue in Greater Palm Springs. It also owns the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the AHL’s 32nd franchise and the affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. OVG will provide day-to-day management of the historic theatre and secure programming and new sponsorship opportunities. All interested parties that would like to use the theatre are invited to explore booking opportunities at Booking@PSPlazaTheatre.org and be part of this exciting journey.

The Plaza Theatre will once again become a major economic driver for the City, generating millions in economic activity and will bring hundreds of visitors and locals per week to the downtown to see quality entertainment. Its estimated annual financial impact is $40 million and the estimated annual tax benefit to Palm Springs is $4 million.

Status: Under Construction

For more information, visit: https://savetheplazatheatreps.com/

The Plaza Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity corporation.

Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

  • Plaza Theatre to Hold Fundraising Event Featuring Exclusive Prescott Car Collection

    Share Plaza Theatre to Hold Fundraising Event Featuring Exclusive Prescott Car Collection on Facebook Share Plaza Theatre to Hold Fundraising Event Featuring Exclusive Prescott Car Collection on Twitter Share Plaza Theatre to Hold Fundraising Event Featuring Exclusive Prescott Car Collection on Linkedin Email Plaza Theatre to Hold Fundraising Event Featuring Exclusive Prescott Car Collection link


    NEWS RELEASE
    Contact:: Bob Bogard 760-464-0182 bob@obayley.net

    PALM SPRINGS, CA – March 20, 2024: The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that theatre supporters will have the opportunity to attend a fundraising event at an exclusive venue that houses more than 100 rare and vintage automobiles. Called ‘Drive the Plaza Theatre Into the Future,’ the event will offer participants the opportunity to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and live musical entertainment while viewing an amazing vintage auto collection owned by collector Brad Prescott. The event takes place on Friday April 19 from 5-6 pm for the VIP admission and 6-8 pm for general admission. It will be held at The Prescott Collection Hangar in Palm Springs. The address will be provided when guests RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/CarHangar.

    Tickets are $100 for General Admission, $250 for VIP Admission (includes early exclusive tour of Brad Prescott’s favorite vehicles in his collection, preferred parking, and the option to apply $250 toward the naming of a seat in the theatre), and Grand Admission at $1,000 (includes the early exclusive tour of the collection with the owner, preferred parking, and the ability to fully secure the naming of a seat in the theatre).

    The Prescott Collection celebrates the postwar American automobile. It comprises more than 100 automobiles, ranging from award-winning restorations to extremely low mileage original examples. It includes renowned luxury marques such as Cadillac, Lincoln and Packard as well as “orphan makes” including Nash, Rambler and Studebaker. They are housed in a series of specially constructed hangars in Palm Springs.

    “We are thrilled that renowned car collector Brad Prescott will allow our theatre supporters to view his impressive auto collection at this unique fundraising event,” said Foundation Board member Kathy Weremiuk. “Event attendees will be able to view these rare and highly collectable vintage cars and also have the opportunity to credit their donation to name a seat in the theatre. We look forward to providing this fun opportunity to our new and existing donors.”

    The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre, one of the most iconic venues in Palm Springs. The Foundation has already raised more than $15M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses. These needed funds will help restore the building to its original splendor and update it to meet the access, technology, and equity needs of today and tomorrow. It is projected that the restoration work will take approximately eighteen months to complete, allowing the Plaza Theatre to open in 2025.

    There are many ways in which the public may continue to play a significant role in the Plaza Theatre restoration, including becoming a Founder, securing a Naming Opportunity for seats or other areas of the building, or making a general donation. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information visit SaveThePlazaTheatrePS.org

    About the Plaza Theatre

    Originally built in 1936, the building was used for film premieres and screenings, nationally broadcast radio theatre programs, and other performances. In its later years, the theater was home to the long-running “The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.” Over the decades, the building has deteriorated, so a capital campaign was initiated by the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to restore the beloved structure to its former glory.

  • Museum added to Plaza Theatre Renovation Plans

    Share Museum added to Plaza Theatre Renovation Plans on Facebook Share Museum added to Plaza Theatre Renovation Plans on Twitter Share Museum added to Plaza Theatre Renovation Plans on Linkedin Email Museum added to Plaza Theatre Renovation Plans link

    https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/palm-springs/2024/02/01/museum-added-to-plaza-theatre-renovation-plans-in-palm-springs-area-downtown-theater/72443367007/

Page last updated: 15 Apr 2024, 11:47 AM