Media Contact:  DP&A, Inc / David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Hotel Council of San Francisco Elects  Seven New Board Members

www.hotelcouncilsf.org 

25 January 2024 – San Francisco, CA:  Heading into a pivotal year in the recovery and expansion of San Francisco’s hospitality economy, the Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org) has added to its board with the election of seven new seasoned industry professionals: Peter Hart (Hilton Union Square/Parc55); Rodrigo Ibanez (Omni Hotel); Kunal Juneja (J.W. Marriott); Isabelle Matter (The Clift Royal Sonesta); Pulkesin Mohan (Taj Campton Place); Emily Nichols (Kimpton Alton Hotel); Jeffery Ossenkop (W Hotel San Francisco)

“San Francisco is blessed with a deep bench of world class hospitality professionals,” said Alex Bastian, President & CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “San Francisco is at a pivotal moment in its history, and we must put the city first and work together. These incoming board members are committed to that collective mission.”

Raymond Vermolen, Chair of the Nominations Committee for the Hotel Council noted that the new incoming board members “exemplify the full cross section of our hospitality community. Every board member has a unique lens and is joining us from a different set of work and life experiences.” He continued: “The cross section represents different parts of the city, different sized hotels, and different approaches to our work. We are excited about what we will achieve as a Board of Directors with their collective input.”

Below is a full list of the newly elected board members for the Hotel Council of San Francisco.

 Kunal Juneja 
JW Marriott San Francisco

Kunal is a hotelier working to create memories of a lifetime for guests and associates. His expertise includes opening new hotels, operating luxury and high-volume premium hotels, renovation, data analysis & interpretation, development and implementation of new ideas. He enjoys generating new ideas, devising feasible solutions to relevant problems, empowering and supporting the teams. His colleagues would describe him as a driven, resourceful individual who can maintain positive, proactive attitude when faced with challenges.

 Emily Nichols
Kimpton Alton Hotel

Emily Nichols is the General Manager of the Kimpton Alton Hotel, where she oversees operations of the 248-room hotel designed in partnership with Kara Mann in the city’s iconic neighborhood of Fisherman’s Wharf. Emily Nichols joins the Kimpton Alton Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf as General Manager following experience in San Francisco as the General Manager of the Kimpton Buchanan Hotel in Japantown. She previously served as the Assistant General Manager at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in Union Square. Emily brings nearly 15 years of experience in hospitality from hotels across the country—her background includes numerous task force stints including in Mendocino, CA and Palm Beach, FL. Prior to moving to the Bay Area, Emily spent time in New York City as the Director of Operations for Dream Hotel Group and the Area Rooms Division Manager for Amsterdam Hospitality. Prior to that, Emily was General Manager for Kahler Hospitality Group in Rochester, Minnesota, where she oversaw all daily operations for the Residence Inn by Marriott. Emily has a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.A. in Metro Urban Studies, with a minor in Sociology from Augsburg University. Emily is a coffee aficionado and—no surprise here—loves traveling as well as caring for her plant collection. Her favorite places visited to date are Croatia and Barcelona.

 Rodrigo Ibanez
Omni Hotel San Francisco

Rodrigo Ibanez was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he studied Hospitality Management. He moved to New York in 2004 with his wife and their one-year-old daughter. He has been happily married with three children (1 girl and 2 boys), and currently resides in San Francisco, CA; after spending 12 years in Irvine. He enjoys playing and watching soccer, as well as riding his motorcycle, and he is also an avid golfer. He has over 20 years of experience in operations. He is focused mostly on guest and employee experience. He is currently the General Manager at the Omni Hotel San Francisco.This is his third time with Omni; during his last 18 years he has spent time between Omni Hotels & Resorts and Terranea Resort. He worked for Omni Hotels & Resorts in Los Angeles, Austin and now San Francisco, and he has held different roles at all three properties within the company in three different markets. With Terranea, he was part of the opening team and held four different roles during his tenure with them, his most recent being Executive Director of Resort Operations, leading all operations, reopening after COVID-19, member of the Strategy Committee and chair of the Executive Committee, reporting directly to the President. Prior to Omni and Terranea Resort, he had roles with The Luxury Collection from Starwood Hotels & Resorts (both in Argentina and New York), Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Westin. While he is very involved in the strategy behind providing guests and associates with the best experience, he is a very hands-on leader who coaches and leads by example. It is key for him to understand the roadblocks to help remove them. He is a problem solver and thrives in a high pace, all-hands-on-deck environment.

Isabelle Matter
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco

Isabelle Matter is a hospitality professional with hotel and travel industry experience, including general management of hotels. She has lifestyle/boutique hotel experience as well as resorts and larger brands. Highly focused on the customer experience, she works towards creating a meaningful connection with the customer and associates alike. Isabelle spent several years working in the Silicon Valley, in a dynamic corporate environment, and she is also familiar with other markets, including San Francisco, and a diverse client base. She is dedicated to developing positive long-lasting relationships with all stakeholders and focused on guest management service, as the industry is all about service, and about creating a unique experience for all.

Jeffery Ossenkop
W Hotel San Francisco

Jeff Ossenkop brings more than 22 years of hospitality leadership experience to his role, having most recently served as general manager at The Tremont House – A Tribute Portfolio in Galveston, Texas. Jeff initially joined the Canopy brand in 2019 during the launch of the luxurious Canopy by Hilton Austin Downtown, where he played a pivotal role in curating the onsite dining programs. Jeff boasts an extensive background in boutique and luxury hospitality, including a 13-year tenure with Starwood Hotels & Resorts under the luxury-lifestyle brand, W Hotels, where he was assigned task force for new builds and transitions in DC, Ft. Lauderdale, Scottsdale and San Francisco markets. Additionally, Jeff has served on various boards including the Board of Moody Gardens, Board of directors for Austin Hotel & Lodging and Galveston Hotel & Lodging, and as an appointed official for the Park Board of Trustees for Galveston, Texas.

 Pulkesin Mohan
Taj Campton Place San Francisco

A highly motivated leader with over 21 years of leading hotel operations (luxury, heritage, resort, business), revenue and resource management, Pulkesin has actively led the dynamic business development across India and Sri Lanka. He enjoys varied challenging projects including pre-opening and well-established systems utilizing my expertise with strong interpersonal skills & proven abilities to deliver results through strong work ethic and team building towards service and operational excellence. Pulkesin possesses a unique blend of leadership, marketing expertise, and financial acumen within the hotel industry. He excels in guest and public relations, fostering multicultural team development and driving operational improvements. His community engagement and corporate social responsibility efforts reflect a commitment beyond business. He is skilled in managing owner-property relationships and ensuring quality labor relations. Furthermore, his leadership is characterized by a focus on performance metrics, creating an enriched work environment, and effective stakeholder management. Overall, he is known for his leadership, excellence, efficiency, ethics, and compassion in this dynamic industry.

Peter Hart
Complex General Manager – Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55 San Francisco, A Hilton Hotel 

Peter Hart is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, which has 1,921 rooms and 160,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as the Parc 55, which has 1,024 rooms and 23 meeting rooms. Peter brings with him a wealth of industry experience, having held important roles in various hotels across the Bay Area since joining Hilton in 2003. In his most recent position as complex hotel manager at the San Francisco hotels, Peter demonstrated his ability to achieve positive outcomes, enhance the guest experience, and maintain high levels of Team Member satisfaction.

The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. Their membership roster includes over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations. The Hotel Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support the growth and success of the industry.

Hilton San Francisco Union Square Welcomes
Four New Executive Team Members

MEDIA CONTACT:

David Perry For Hilton Union Square San Francisco/Parc 55
+1 415 676-7007 news@davidperry.com 

Peter Hart Promoted to Complex General Manager
20 + years of experience in San Francisco Bay Area hotels and hospitality community now put to use at California’s largest hotel complex comprised of Hilton Union Square and Parc 55.

Brennan Foley Promoted to Complex Hotel Manager of the Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 Hilton
18 year career has included multiple roles with San Francisco’s hospitality and tourism community.

Samir Roonwal as Executive Chef
Chef Roonwal brings more than 30 years of international and luxury gastronomic experience to Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ largest West Coast hotel.

Nick Graham-Wells Returns to San Francisco as
Complex Director of Marketing
22 years of marketing, branding, and operational expertise brought to bear as Hilton Union Square Approaches 60^th Anniversary in 2024.

17 January 2024 – San Francisco, CA:  – Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55 – a Hilton Hotel, announces four new members of its executive leadership team: Peter Hart, promoted to Complex General Manager for Hilton and Parc55; Brennan Foley Complex Hotel Manager; Samir Roonwal as executive chef at Hilton and Nick Graham-Wells as Complex Director of Marketing.  

Chef Samir will oversee culinary operations for the property’s 130,000 square feet of meeting and event space as well as its four food and beverage outlets, including Poached, The Lobby Bar, Herb’n Kitchen, and Cityscape Lounge: San Francisco’s highest sky bar perched on the 46th floor with 360-degree views of San Francisco.   

Graham-Wells, a San Francisco “Hilton Veteran”, returns to the City in which worked for seven years, immediately charged with readying the historic complex for the holidays and its 60^th anniversary in 2024.

“Having long been a part of San Francisco’s Hilton family, it is truly a privilege to now lead this incredible team,” said Hart. “As we prepare to celebrate six decades of iconic service to San Francisco, I couldn’t be more proud of our team, and our city.”

In this new position, Peter will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, which has 1,900 rooms and over 150,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as the Parc 55, which has more than 1,000 rooms and over 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Peter brings with him a wealth of industry experience, having held important roles in various hotels across the Bay Area since joining Hilton in 2003. In his most recent position as complex hotel manager at the San Francisco hotels, Peter demonstrated his ability to achieve positive outcomes, enhance the guest experience, and maintain high levels of Team Member satisfaction.  Peter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“Please join me in welcoming Brennan Foley on his new role as Complex Hotel Manager of the Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 Hilton, capping 18 years of  hospitality leadership,” said Hart. “Brennan has done an excellent job driving results, elevating the guest experience, and providing guidance for team members. I look forward to many more accomplishments to come in 2024.”

Prior to his new position, Brennan held various leadership roles at the Westin Market Street before rejoining Hilton in 2015.  He was the Assistant Director of Housekeeping at Parc 55 and quickly moved into a Director of Rooms capacity.  After a few years, Brennan transferred across Mason Street to lead the Rooms Division at Hilton Union Square.  Returning after the pandemic closures, Brennan was instrumental in reopening the Parc 55 in 2022.  Since, he has supported the Parc 55 team in his role as Director of Operations.  

“Also, I am thrilled to welcome our new Executive Chef Samir Roonwal to San Francisco,” said Hart. “With over 30 years of accomplished experience and a remarkable track record of opening hotels and restaurants worldwide, his expertise is a true asset to our Food and Beverage team. Samir’s international experience and collaboration with renowned chefs have shaped a unique cooking style that embraces diverse cuisines and cultural backgrounds. His ability to set and lead market trends is evident in his history of improving revenues and guest satisfaction. We are confident that Samir’s hands-on approach and commitment to quality will elevate our dining experiences and bring fresh creativity to our menus. We look forward to a successful journey together in delivering exceptional cuisine and service.”

Roonwal has led the Culinary and Food and Beverage operations for numerous luxury and full-service brands. He has reimagined concepts and executed activations in iconic properties across Asia, the Middle East, Canada, and the USA. With a tenure of over 30 years in the industry, Samir brings a proven track record of delivering success across all facets of food and beverage including operations, customer satisfaction, strategic expansion, and marketing. 

“My goal is to ensure that the departing guests leave with a great and unique impression of their stay, including the food, whether a la carte or from one of our large-scale events,” says Samir with a smile noting that his creations will “speak” about his own travel experiences. “San Francisco truly is a celebration of cuisines from all over the globe, making it truly one of the world’s great food towns. I hope to share with all our guests an authentic taste of the authentic influences of San Francisco and beyond.”

Returning to San Francisco where he worked for seven years is new Director of Marketing for the Hilton Union Square and Parc55 complex, Nick Graham-Wells. A born story teller, Graham-Wells brings over 22 years of marketing, branding, and operational expertise to the role. 

“We are so excited to have Nick join the team.” Said Cindy Ramesh, Director of Sales and Marketing.  “We already worked closely with Nick in his previous role where he consulted on and guided many of our marketing strategies.  We’ve seen the amazing work he’s done with hotels all across the continent, now we’re so happy to have him all to ourselves!” 

Most recently Nick spent four years as a leader on the Americas Marketing team at Hilton where he supported full-service and luxury hotels all across the Americas.  He specialized in branding activations, strategic storytelling, content creation, and growth marketing. 

“My passion is about bringing special hotel experiences to life. both online and on property, for guests, meeting planners, and team members,” says Graham-Wells. “San Francisco has always been a city that’s close to my heart so it’s a joy to return, and to help shine a light on all the incredible opportunities, experiences, and events you can’t find anywhere else.  I’m incredibly optimistic for the future of our city.  Our hotels will be a big part of that story.”

“I’m especially looking forward to unveiling new experiences for the 60^th anniversary of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in 2024,” he says. “In a competitive and ever-morphing hospitality industry, where guests expect and demand the best, celebrating such a milestone is an opportunity to look back, and forward. I can’t wait.”    

For reservations, visit Hilton San Francisco Union Square or call +1 415-771-1400. Read more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at hilton.com/en/hilton/ and newsroom.hilton.com/hilton.

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About Hilton San Francisco Union Square

A bustling convention hotel minutes from San Francisco’s Union Square and Moscone Convention Center, Hilton San Francisco Union Square is the premier meetings & events hotel in San Francisco. The hotel is the largest on the West Coast and is widely considered an industry leader for its inventive catering and customized event offerings. Property highlights include Cityscape Lounge, a sky bar located on the 46th floor; a heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, and a large fitness center. Dozens of unique rooms and suite types are available, including skyline view rooms and rooms with balconies facing the downtown skyline.  

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests’ evolving needs. With more than 575 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world’s most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Experience a positive stay at Hilton Hotels & Resorts by booking at hiltonhotels.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about the brand at newsroom.hilton.com/hhr, and follow Hilton Hotels & Resorts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,600 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 118 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. 

NONPROFIT OWNER OF AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP – THE SS UNITED STATES – HEADS TO TRIAL IN EFFORT TO SAVE SYMBOL OF THE NATION
Litigation will proceed this week in federal court that could determine the fate of the famed vessel

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The SS United States Conservancy, the national nonprofit organization that owns and safeguards America’s Flagship, the SS United States, is in litigation over a rent dispute with the vessel’s landlord, Penn Warehousing. A bench trial is set to begin tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, and today the Conservancy released the following statement:

“The Conservancy regrets that its rent dispute with Penn Warehousing is going to trial. Our first priority is the safety and security of this irreplaceable symbol of America. The SS United States was designed by Philadelphia native William Francis Gibbs to be the fastest and safest ocean liner ever to sail. On her maiden voyage, she reached record-breaking speeds that have never been surpassed in scheduled passenger travel. She served as an American ambassador to the world, and we will continue to defend the ship and the public interest in protecting a key part of our nation’s history from destruction.”

“As an organization we will continue to work tirelessly to advance the preservation and redevelopment of the SS United States as a world-class destination and museum. At a time when Philadelphia plans to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday and draw people from around the world for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the loss of the SS United States should be unimaginable.”

“The Conservancy recently released a transformational redevelopment plan for America’s Flagship that would create thousands of new jobs, attract visitors from across the country and around the globe, and potentially generate millions in annual tax revenue. It is a visionary project, commercially viable and capable of substantially benefiting Philadelphia, New York or other port cities.”

“The Penn Warehousing trial places the ship in grave danger. We hope that Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Parker, PhilaPort officials, and other leaders throughout this country will recognize the economic potential and national historic significance of the SS United States. Joined by our thousands of proud supporters across the nation and around the globe, we look to government leaders to assist with our ongoing efforts to relocate the ship to a different temporary or permanent location.”

#

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 

Contact: Mayor’s Press Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE RECRUITING EFFORTS YIELD PROGRESS: POLICE ACADEMY AT HIGHEST LEVELS SINCE PRE-PANDEMIC

New Police Academy class starting today joins two other classes currently training at SFPD Academy – higher cadet levels reflective of efforts to strengthen recruitment through increased pay, expanded outreach, and streamlined hiring

San Francisco, CA – Today Mayor London N. Breed and Police Chief William Scott announced that the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has welcomed its latest Academy Class, bringing the total of three Police Academy classes currently training. The presence of these three SFPD Police Academy classes is the highest number of cadets training at any one time since before the pandemic. This puts SFPD on track to graduate more recruits in 2024 than any year since the pandemic began. 

Current classes at SFPD Police Academy: 

• Academy Class 282 starts today, January 16th, with 19 new candidates.  
• Another 41 recruits are currently training in Academy Classes 280 (started in July) and 281 (started in September).   
• Class 280 is scheduled to graduate in February and Class 281 is set to graduate in May.   

These three Academy Classes reflect the increase in applications the Department began to experience at the end of 2022, when applications to join SFPD began to increase back to 2018 levels after years of being down during the pandemic. Mayor Breed and SFPD have improved recruitment efforts by increasing pay, streamlining testing and hiring, and expanding outreach, including: 

• Increasing starting pay for SFPD officers to be among the highest of any large Bay Area City. SFPD officers are paid more than officers in almost any other major city in the nation. 
• Shifting to a dynamic academy class model to quickly start classes once they hit a certain level instead of waiting long periods of time between Academy classes, and losing out on recruits.  
• Expanding outreach nationwide, including with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 
• Reducing the hiring process by up to three months by conducting Physical Ability Test (PAT), Oral Interview, and Written Test in one day. 
• Expanding free one-day testing events to college campuses around Northern and Southern California and offering test preparation resources and practice sessions for potential recruits. 
• Streamlining of the Lateral Hiring Process by immediately hiring lateral candidates as soon as they complete the hiring process rather than waiting to fill a class. 
• Participating in the 30 x 30 Initiative to increase the representation of women in SFPD with the goal of 30% women recruits by 2030.  

These recruitment efforts, as well as key retention efforts have helped SFPD stabilize staffing and start building up again. While SFPD is about 500 officers short of its citywide staffing goal, police staffing has recently stopped declining. Now the efforts are focused on retaining the current officers, while bringing in new recruits to see police staffing in San Francisco begin to rise again. 

“Our work to strengthen recruiting and retaining officers and to build the support to have the best police force in the country is leading to results,” said Mayor London Breed. “A lot of this work has been happening behind the scenes for a long time, and now we are starting to see a real change in our Academy.  I’m thankful for everyone who is signing up to put on a uniform and serve our residents, our businesses, and our city. This is how we create a safer, more just San Francisco.”  

“Efforts to boost recruiting in San Francisco are paying off,” said Chief Bill Scott. “The SFPD is moving in the right direction, and I’m overjoyed to see so many applicants wanting to join our department. They have begun their journey to be part of one of the most historic police forces in the nation that stands as a model for how reform and public safety go hand-in-hand.” 

Despite staffing challenges, SFPD’s efforts have made San Francisco safer over the last year. Most recently during the 2023 holiday season: 

• Larceny theft (car break-ins and retail theft) decreased by 48%  
• Motor vehicle theft decreased by 17% 
• Burglaries decreased by 26% 

Violent crime rates in San Francisco remain lower than other cities and both violent and property crime remain below pre-pandemic levels. SFPD’s homicide clearance rate is consistently far above the national average.   

The next Police Academy class will begin later this spring and applications continue to come in at a high level. For more information and to view career opportunities with the SFPD, visit this page.  

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media contact:  Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

2022 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play
A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
by Samuel D. Hunter is Dezart Performs’ third production of the season from March 1 – 10, 2024

9 January 2024 – Palm Springs, CA:  A philosopher once posited that “God is everywhere: sometimes you can even find him in church.” In playwright Samuel D. Hunter’s “must-see heartbreaker of a play” (The New York Times), A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Divine compassion is found in a work-a-day back office in Idaho near the Canadian border where two broken men “find what connects us all and Holiness in humanity” (The Observer). The 2022 Drama Critics’ Circle Award Winner for Best Play is the third production in Dezart Performs’ landmark 16^th Season, running March 1 – 10 at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. The play runs 90 minutes without intermission.  Playwright Samuel D. Hunter is scheduled to attend the opening night performance and will hold a “talk back” following the first Saturday evening performance, March 2.

“Samuel D. Hunter is very much a playwright for this moment in our world,” says Dezart Performs’ founding artistic director Michael Shaw who directed Hunter’s A BRIGHT NEW BOISE last season for Dezart Performs as he is directing this year’s production. Hunter’s film, THE WHALE, garnered an Academy Award for actor Brendan Fraser. “In language both sparse but eloquent, he manages to convey the full range of human emotions, good and bad, from two people doing nothing but sit and talk in a small room.  It’s like a literary miracle what such passion in a confined space can produce.”

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD unfolds in a cubicle where two seated people unexpectedly choose to bring one another into their fragile worlds. Keith (Dennis Renard), a mortgage broker and Ryan (Jacob Alden Roa), a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family many decades ago, realize they share a “specific kind of sadness.” At this desk in the middle of America, loan talk opens up into a discussion about the chokehold of financial insecurity and a bond over the precariousness of parenthood. With humor, empathy and wrenching honesty, Hunter commingles two lives and deftly bridges disparate experiences of marginality. As Keith sums up in one of the play’s most simple, yet wrenching moments: “Things happen every day that aren’t right.”

Renard was the winner last year of Desert Theatre League’s Award for his performance in CHOIR BOY and Roa, a nominee for his performance in THE GARBOLOGISTS.

All performances of A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Ticket prices are $48 – $55 and may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org , or by calling (760) 322-0179. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

Last month, Dezart Performs announced plans for a new space to be called the Dezart Playhouse, located in Cathedral City. The new Dezart Playhouse will have versatile, movable seating for up to 125, including the flexibility for proscenium, thrust, theatre in-the-round, or cabaret-style formats. A modern, warm and inviting lobby with a full bar and patio area will be available for use both during performances, and for other non-theatrical events. Full expanded dressings rooms, backstage areas and a designated box office are all part of the design. Besides use by Dezart Performs, the venue will also welcome other businesses and non-profit organizations in the community to make use of the space. Based on the current plan, the Dezart Playhouse will be ready for the 2025 / 2026 Season. The campaign has been in the silent phase for over a year, with the goal to raise $ 2,200,000 to convert the former retail space into a state-of-the-art Equity Theater.  In addition, the campaign seeks another $200,000 per year over five years to help sustain program and operation costs.

16th Dezart Performs’ Season Listing

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD 
A drama written by Samuel D. Hunter
Directed by Michael Shaw
March 1-3; 8-10
2022 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD unfolds in a cubicle where two seated people unexpectedly choose to bring one another into their fragile worlds. Keith, a mortgage broker, and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family many decades ago, realize they share a “specific kind of sadness.” At this desk in the middle of America, loan talk opens up into a discussion about the chokehold of financial insecurity and a bond over the precariousness of parenthood. With humor, empathy and wrenching honesty, Hunter commingles two lives and deftly bridges disparate experiences of marginality.

“Must-see heartbreaker of a play!”
– The New York Times

“Another extraordinary play by Samuel D. Hunter!”
– New York Stage Review

“Easily one of the best of the year!”
– The Wall Street Journal

“…one of the most moving new plays of the year!”
– TheatreMania

“‘A Case for the Existence of God’ Finds What Connects Us All and Holiness in Humanity.”
– The Observer

*    *    *

MR. PARKER
A drama written by Michael McKeever
Directed by Randy Brenner
April 12 – 14; 19 — 21

At 54 years old, Terry Parker finds himself at a crossroads in his life. After the loss of his partner of 30 years, he finds himself suddenly single and unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him. After a night of heavy drinking, he wakes up with a 28-year-old bartender-slash-Uber-driver. These two very different people begin a tentative relationship, and what starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to let go of the past and move forward, while dealing with the pressures of being middle-aged, gay and alone in the ever-changing landscape of today’s America.

“A very intelligent, absorbing look at contemporary relationships and the conflicts that keep us all from aging with joy and peace of mind. This play is a real discovery!”
– Rex Reed

“The protagonist of this new play by Michael McKeever steps gingerly out of grief’s stasis and into the unknown.”
–The New York Times