Plaza Theatre

PALM SPRINGS, CA (April 28, 2025) The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that it has currently raised $500,000 (or 50%) of its goal needed to receive the entire $1 million matching gift from philanthropist Brad Prescott. Earlier this year, Prescott, through the Prescott Foundation, donated $1 million to the restoration effort to restore and reopen the historic Plaza Theatre. In addition to the initial $1 million donation, Prescott also challenged the Foundation to secure another $1 million, which he pledged to match dollar for dollar. Tremendous community support has already brought in half of the amount needed. When completed, the matching grant, plus Prescott’s initial $1 million donation, will effectively raise $3 million for the project. With this match, the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation is in the process of raising the remaining $6 million needed to fund the ongoing extensive restoration and update of the theatre, which will open in early December 2025.

“We are so pleased that the community has participated in helping the Foundation take advantage of the tremendous opportunity that Brad Prescott has provided,” said J.R. Roberts, President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation. “Brad’s incredibly generous donation has now inspired so many others in the community to help the Foundation raise the funds we need to help restore our iconic theatre. We are so grateful for this support and look forward to this community’s continued generosity in helping us match this generous gift.”

Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs and built in 1936, the Plaza Theatre was a vibrant home for film premieres and screenings, nationally broadcast radio programs, and other performances. In its later years, the theater was home to the long running “The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.” It had fallen into disrepair and has been closed since 2014. The comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation will provide essential infrastructure repairs, installation of new theatrical equipment, and structural improvements to ensure that the building meets current fire prevention and American Disabilities Act mandates. When the restoration is complete, the Plaza Theatre will be poised to continue to provide the city and its visitors with top notch entertainment for years to come.

Oak View Group, which will operate the Theatre, has begun to announce some of its star-studded lineup of initial performances beginning with Lily Tomlin on December 2 and 3, 2025. To see the full list of schedule performances, visit the Plaza Theatre’s website at www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com.

The theatre will also provide community engagement and pride through opportunities to support diverse and educational programming. It will serve the community by hosting many kinds of events and productions and serve as an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, films and film premieres, and community and educational events. Recently, Oak View Group announced a multi-year partnership with the acclaimed Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC), which will be one of the Plaza Theatre’s resident artists beginning with the 2025 holiday season.

The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre. For those who wish to contribute to the restoration efforts, many exciting naming opportunities are available. To learn more about naming opportunities, contact J.R. Roberts at (760) 218-6330 or info@psplazatheatre.org. For more information and updates on the Plaza Theatre restoration project or to make a contribution, visit SaveThePlazaTheatrePS.org.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 8, 2024) The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that Oak View Group (OVG), the internationally acclaimed venue management group, has hired John Bolton to be the new Senior Vice President and General Manager of the historic Plaza Theatre, which is currently undergoing a major restoration. Previously the Foundation contracted Oak View Group to manage all aspects of running the historic theatre, including staffing. They will continue to fill other key staff roles at the theatre.

Bolton is currently Senior Vice President at OVG. The OVG team consulted with the Plaza Theatre Foundation and selected Bolton, who has already had first-hand experience with the Theatre as the OVG representative of the Foundation’s board. In his new role as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Bolton will continue to serve the on the Plaza Theatre Foundation’s Board of Directors as an Ex-Officio member.

“We could not be more thrilled about John’s selection as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Plaza Theatre,” said J.R. Roberts, President of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation. “I have had the good fortune to work with John as a Foundation board member and I know he is deeply committed to ensuring that the Plaza Theatre will be an important cultural venue for the entire Coachella Valley. I could not think of another person who is as committed and uniquely qualified as John to serve in this important role. On behalf of the entire board, I congratulate Oak View Group for this tremendous positive addition to the Plaza Theatre.”

“The Plaza Theatre is not only an important historic building, but this City asset will also be a key element in Palm Springs’ thriving downtown, as well as our rich arts and culture offerings,” said Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. “We could not be more excited to have John Bolton at the helm. His experience, expertise and commitment to our community will ensure the Plaza Theatre is something truly special. We are extremely appreciative that John has decided to take this on.”

Bolton was originally brought to the Coachella Valley by Oak View Group to oversee the construction and initial operation of the new $300+ million-dollar Acrisure Arena project as well as the launch of the newest American Hockey League franchise, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Bolton serves on the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating his commitment to local business development and community growth and is also a member of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, which helps promote tourism and economic development in the region. The Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce recently awarded Bolton their President's Award for his work in facilitating the new Acrisure Arena project. This recognition highlights his efforts in bringing significant economic and entertainment opportunities to the Coachella Valley area.

Bolton is a venue industry icon having served as President of the International Association of Venue Managers, the world’s largest professional association of venue managers as well as Chair of the International Association of Entertainment Buyers, the leading not-for-profit trade organization for live industry entertainment professionals located in Nashville. Bolton has won numerous industry accolades including Pollstar’s Venue Executive of the Year and IAVM’s Venue Excellence Award, recognizing the top managed venues in the world.

“We are delighted to have John Bolton step into the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Plaza Theatre,” said Greg O’Dell, President of OVG Venue Management. “John's leadership was instrumental in the success of Acrisure Arena, and his deep expertise, passion, and dedication make him the perfect choice to help bring the Plaza Theatre back to life. His vision and commitment to the Palm Springs community will ensure that the Theatre becomes a cultural beacon for the entire region. We couldn’t be more confident in his ability to lead this next chapter.”

“I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to launch two iconic venues in the Coachella Valley – the Acrisure Arena and now, the Plaza Theatre,” said Bolton. “I couldn’t ask for a cooler experience in a community that I love dearly. The Plaza Theatre's restoration is not just about preserving history, it is about revitalizing our community and improving the quality of life by providing a welcoming space for the arts to thrive.”

Oak View Group will run the day-to-day operations of the theatre and is already seeking diverse shows to bring to the theatre, promising a vibrant array of performances, educational programs, and community events. With a focus on emerging local artists and well-known musical and theatre performances, the Plaza Theatre is poised to become a dynamic hub of cultural activity once again.

It is estimated that when the Theatre is operational it will accommodate approximately 135,000 patrons per year who will potentially generate more than $40 million in incremental spending and provide more than $4 million direct economic impact to the city through sales and transient occupancy taxes. The Theatre will also provide general fund and Measure J revenue through sales tax, hotel tax, and economic impact through direct and indirect spending. Small business support through economic impact downtown and citywide is estimated to be at least $21M per year.

The theatre will also provide community engagement and pride through opportunities to support diverse and educational programming. When the restoration is completed, the Plaza Theatre will serve the community by hosting many kinds of events and productions and will be an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, film premieres, community and educational events, films, and much more.

"We invite all interested parties that would like to use the theatre to explore booking opportunities at Booking@PSPlazaTheatre.org and be part of this exciting journey," continued Bolton.

Recent construction milestones include essential structural repairs that have strengthened the building for current building codes, installation of a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient HVAC system, and successful asbestos abatement. One of the most thrilling aspects of this restoration has been uncovering hidden treasures from the theatre’s past including original decorative stencil work on the proscenium, which had been concealed for more than three decades. The Plaza Theatre is set to reopen in the late fall of 2025, which will not only celebrate our cultural heritage but also provide a significant boost to the downtown economy.

The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre. It has already raised more than $14 million but must raise at least $10 million more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses. For those who wish to contribute to the restoration efforts, many exciting naming opportunities are available. To learn more about naming opportunities, contact J.R. Roberts at (760) 218-6330 or JR66@mac.com. For more information and updates on the Plaza Theatre restoration project, visit SaveThePlazaTheatrePS.org.

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 $14 million but must raise at least $10 million 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.

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/