21ST CENTURY COMEDY ROMP ABOUT THE VIRTUES AND PITFALLS OF SEX IN "ALL THIS INTIMACY"

When it comes to the subject of sex, with its ups and downs among 2022’s younger set, award-winning playwright Rajiv Joseph’s prescient 2006 play “All This Intimacy” is a funny but sobering commentary on the sexual mores and raging hormones of 21st century American society.

Desert Ensemble Theatre (DET) of Palm Springs concludes its highly successful 11th season despite the crushing two-year body blow that the worldwide pandemic delivered to Arts communities across the country.   However, it’s now springtime in the desert.  It’s time to leave the last two years as a bad memory to leave in the past.

Artistic Director Jerome Elliott and Executive Director Shawn Abramowitz picked up where they left off two years earlier bringing cutting-edge dramas and bold comedies to their audiences in Theatre #3 of the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Keith M. Cornell, seasoned Chicago stage director of some 30 years of experience – now living in Palm Springs - has smartly and skillfully staged this comedy along with crisp direction that helps cleverly mitigate a boatload of expletives.  Sometimes less is better when seeking an impact. 

“All This Intimacy” delves into the current social and sexual mores through the performances skills of its talented cast of six actors.  If you thought that “Tom Jones”, the movie with Albert Finney, was a bit racy or Michael Caine’s “Alfie” was a reflection of London’s over-sexed, swinging ‘60s, then Rajiv Joseph’s edgy comedy romp set in Brooklyn and Manhattan is a must-see for you.

The story revolves the around the hedonistic adventures of high school poetry professor Ty Green, a self-proclaimed Don Juan type who can’t resist his urge to bed every female he meets. Things get really sticky when Green accidentally impregnates three women - his ex-girlfriend Jen (Kudra Wagner), his married neighbor Maureen (Phylicia Mason), and his high school poetry student Becca (Eliza Convis) - all in a span of one week.

A special note at this point. DET Artistic Director Jerome Elliott made an announcement prior to the Opening Night that the role of Ty Green played by Sean Timothy Brown would be performed tonight by DET Executive Director Shawn Abramowitz due to Mr. Brown’s severe case of the flu, adding that Mr. Abramowitz would be carrying a copy of the script on stage. The audience sat back to await the happenings that would be unfolding in front of them over the next two hours.

The aforementioned talented cast includes Raul Ramiro Valenzuela as Seth, Ty’s frenetic best friend who wants Ty as his best man despite the objections of his bride-to-be Franny (J. Clare Merritt). 

The three mothers-to-be, Kudra Wagner, Phylicia Mason and Eliza Convis, shine in their individual responses to their relationship with bad boy Ty. Their scenes are juicy, witty, appalling and hilarious all at the same time. Kudos, ladies. 

The creative, technical department, led by director Cornell, features the clean lines and visual set production values of master set designer Thomas L. Valach, ably assisted by lighting designer Kevin O’Shaughnessy, and sound designer Gus Sanchez. The production is stage managed by Sierra Barrick.

There is a short window to see this provocative comedy production so make your reservations now as the show will only perform on Friday, April 1st through Sunday, April 3rd. Call the box office at 760-565-2476 or visit their website at www.desertensembletheatre.org.

Remember, a great nation deserves great art… support all the arts!

-- Jack Lyons