GRAND CONCOURSE
The Off-Broadway hit drama by award-winning playwright Heidi Schreck
At the heart of a Bronx soup kitchen, faith is tested, hope is fragile, and forgiveness is never simple. Shelley, who has dedicated her life to religious service, struggles to keep her faith and asks herself how well she really knows the people she sees every day, how much she can trust them, and what she can and cannot forgive. When Emma – an idealistic but confused college dropout – arrives to volunteer, her reckless mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley to the breaking point.
Approx. running time: 100 minutes
There will be no intermission.
If tickets aren’t available for a particular performance, please call the box office: 760-322-0179.
New! All evening shows will now start at 7:00 PM.
A special ASL performance will be given Saturday, March 8, at 2:00 PM.
Under the excellent direction of Michael shaw, each character comes totally to life
In an intense play with a small ensemble cast like Grand Concourse, it is crucial to have a skilled director, and Michael Shaw, Dezart’s artistic director, fills the bill. Shaw elicits strong performances from each of his actors
With strong performances and thoughtful direction, this production honors Heidi Schreck’s nuanced script, delivering a deeply human story that refuses to offer easy answers—just as Schreck intended.
I’m still pondering the questions that this incredibly moving piece brought up. So well written and perfectly executed by fabulous performers - producers - directors - set designers. One of the best!
Feb 28 2025 - Mar 09 2025
Show TimesFridays: 7:00 PM
Saturdays: 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM
Sundays: 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM
Pearl McManus Theater
at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club
314 S Cahuilla Road
Downtown Palm Springs, CA 92262
The Cast
Eliza Newman (Shelley)
Eliza Newman is deeply honored to make her debut with Dezart Performs. She was previously seen in DICKENS WRITES A CHRISTMAS CAROLE at Revolution Stage Company and cherishes every opportunity to bring stories to life on stage. Residing in Twentynine Palms, Eliza finds immense fulfillment in nurturing community through her work in theater and dance. She extends her heartfelt thanks to her husband, family, friends and the Dezart Performs team for their unwavering support and inspiration.
Tia Laulusa (Emma)
An Oregon native, Tia received her MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University and has been in LA since 2020. She’s over the moon to be returning to Dezart Performs and previously seen in WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME winter of 2024. Other credits include CYMBELINE, OEDIPUS (American Players Theatre), PRACTICE HOUSE, HARD TIMES (Parson’s Nose Theater), FRANKENSTEIN, INHERIT THE WIND (Dallas Theater Center), REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN (Second Thought Theatre), MACBETH (Shakespeare Dallas), OUR TOWN (Circle Theatre) and THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Altered Shakespeare). Film credits include the short film NOVA, for which she won Best Leading Actress in a Film at the Hanford International Film Festival. She will be attending law school in the fall and is so excited to continue acting in conjunction with social justice lawyering. Eternal love and gratitude for Tim, Nafanua, Freyja, and Max!
E.M. Davis (Frog)
A recent transplant to Los Angeles from Chicago, E.M. Davis is thrilled to be making their Dezart Performs debut. They were seen last Fall in Pasadena Playhouse’s CYRANO DE BERGERAC. Previous to that, they were at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in RICHARD III. Regional credits include STATEVILLE VOICES (Goodman Theatre), OTELLO (Lyric Opera of Chicago), AT THE TABLE, PLAINCLOTHES (Broken Nose Theatre, former Artistic Director) as well as workshops of JOAN (Northlight Theatre), REAWAKENING DESIRE (A Red Orchid Theatre) and A MILLION TINY PIECES (South Coast Repertory and Colorado New Play Festival). TV: 4400 (CW). Film: HOW’D IT GO, I’M PRETTY SURE MY THERAPIST THINKS I’M A BAD ACTOR, MY DEAREST SEXUAL FREAK. They are the recipient of the inaugural Sarah Siddons Society Professional Development Grant and proud member of AEA. IG: @emdavischi
Chris Carranza (Oscar)
Chris Carranza is a proud Southern California native who has performed across the country in a variety of productions. Some of his favorite credits include ALTAR BOYZ (Short North Stage, OH), IN THE HEIGHTS (Mill Mountain Theatre, VA), THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Mountain Theatre Company, NC), SHBOOM! LIFE COULD BE A DREAM (Sierra Repertory Theatre, CA), SISTER ACT: THE MUSICAL (Town Hall Arts Center, CO) and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (The Palace Theatre, NH). When he’s not performing on land, Chris takes to the seas as a featured vocalist with Oceania Cruises, where he performs his solo show: Cabaret Carranza. Follow his adventures on Instagram: @chrisduhfer_
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