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.
