 Saturday, July 25, 2009
Indio Performing Arts Center
Indio, California
Story and photos by John Garber
To see more John Garber photos of The Big Show Live!, click here.
As I opened the door and got out of my car last Saturday night July 25, 2009, in the parking lot of the Indio Performing Arts Center in the desert near Palm Springs, I was hit by the ugly heat and high humidity that had plagued the Coachella Valley for the last week or so. At that point, all I was looking for was a little refreshment. Little did I know that my refreshment would come in the form of a nice cool theater, some soft drinks (beer if I wanted it), pizza and a pleasant addition to The Big Show Live, in the form of musical talent.
 Playing for about an hour prior to the Big Show sketch comedy was Rip Torn, a local band from Palm Desert with Zane Kanadjian on strings and vocals, Nick Tellier on lead guitar and lyrics and Daniel Perry slapping the skins. They entertained the audience with a good range of genres from alternative to punk to good ole rock ‘n’ roll, playing old Beatle favorites such as “Back In The U.S.S.R.” equally well as their own titles. These guys are really talented, and I expect to see them around.
 Now it was time for some laughter. The Big Show Live, A Burning Sensation began with a sketch about the U.S. Postal Service that had everyone in the audience belly laughing. Postal trainees were taught to basically break and enter, kick the Kujo and respond to complaints with se habla no englais.
 Next on stage was Jerome Elliott, a Palm Springs based singer and actor. The Desert Theatre League nominated Elliott for three Desert Star Awards in the fall of 2008. He has a terrific voice and wonderful stage presence.
 One of my favorite skits was The Big Ass News with Noemi Villela-Dean and Tres Dean. A knock off from “Saturday Night Live,” the two present today’s news not necessarily to be believed.
Escorted by two beautiful dancers, Noemi Villela-Dean and Dani Jara and one not-so-beautiful dancer Dan Graff, Tod Kent took the stage and entertained us with a vocal performance of “Feeling Good.”
 I found myself laughing out loud at the next sketch with Graff, Keri Rivers and Jennifer Bennett. Graff plays a nutty doctor who uses a cheerleader to explain to his patient, Rivers, his findings and diagnosis. Bennett cracks everyone up with her role as the cheerleader. I wish we had a cheerleader like that on my high school squad. Great skit!
After about a 15-minute intermission, we were treated with a great vocal rendition of “Hot Stuff” performed by Mara Getz. Getz has been a national and international singing star for the past 20 years. She was a finalist on “Star Search” in 1985.
 There was one more appearance by Rip Torn, the band, playing acoustical guitars that lead into the final sketch. Nicole Willared, Justin Brusca, Dani Jara and Katie Nelissen join other cast members in a short play about two goofy cousins who crash a party and who make everyone want to go, “eeeewwwww!”
Producers Villela-Dean and Dean of Just 2 to Tango Productions thanked the audience and announced that they hoped everyone liked the addition of the musical performances by Rip Torn, Elliott, Kent and Getz. This new element looks like it may be a refreshing addition to future Big Show Live events.
Thanks to everyone at the Indio Performing Arts Center, Just 2 To Tango Productions, the cast, signers and musicians, I had a great time.
To see more John Garber photos of The Big Show Live!, click here.
For more about the Indio Performing Arts Center, click here.
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