CV Rep Summer Cabaret 2026 —A Smashing Success
October 14, 2026
By Joel Vig
Photos by Nicole Stranz Photography
“Nothing succeeds like success.” Those words were written by French author Alexandre Dumas in 1868. American writer and poet Maya Angelou expanded on this idea by writing “get a little success and then just get a little more.” That is just what CV Rep and Artistic Director Adam Karsten have done with the CV Rep Summer Cabaret Series, which finished its fifth year in 2026.
In 2021, small theaters and cabaret venues around the country were having hard times. The Covid pandemic had closed theaters around the world for many months beginning in early 2020. When entertainment venues re-opened, audiences were cautious and attendance was down. As the Summer of 2021 was approaching, CV Rep’s award-winning set designer Jimmy Cuomo had an idea. CV Rep had always shut down during the hot months of the summer when many desert residents headed off to cooler climates. Cuomo felt that it was important to have some activity in the theater for the year-round residents and tourists who needed something to do. He pitched the idea to Adam Karsten of having a variety of cabaret artists come for “one night only” performances. Cabaret performances are self-contained, and the artists are used to adapting to a wide variety of stages. Adam reached out to several of his loyal audience and board members who agreed to sponsor the artists. Cuomo made a few phone calls to artists he knew and had worked with before and received positive responses. With a leap of faith, the CV Rep Summer Cabaret Series 2021 was launched.
One of the first artists Cuomo talked with was actor/writer/director Jason Graae. Jason had a long list of credits on both coasts. He agreed to perform in the new series and to spread the word to get other cabaret artists on board.
It was decided that Tuesday evenings at 7 pm would be a good choice for these cabaret events. With fingers crossed, they put the word out to the CV Rep season ticket buyers. Several people who predicted failure. One of the most memorable lines in the film Field of Dreams says, “If you build it, they will come.” The series was launched, and the people came. Even with temperatures in the triple digits, audiences showed up ,and they liked what they saw. With each performance the word of mouth spread, and the audiences grew.
After the first few seasons, another leap of faith was made to double the performance schedule and have performances on both Tuesday and Thursday nights. Once again, the audiences supported the shows and the many and varied artists who were hired to perform
For the 2026 season, the roster of artists included Jason Graae; Nita Whitaker; Bligh Voth and Joel DeCandio; Jennifer Leigh Warren; Nicholas Rodriguez; Mark Arthur Miller; Joanne O’Brien; Brent Barrett; Robert Yacko; Emily Skinner; Glenn Rosenblum with Alix Korey, Eileen Barnett, and Dana Meller; Sarah Uriarte Berry; Nic and Desi; Mary VanArsdel; and Davis Gaines. I was able to see several of the shows and will share some personal highlights.
Jason Graae was the perfect choice to open the season. He has a large and loyal following built up over years of acting and directing in Palm Springs. His packed house was in the mood for a good time, and Jason did not disappoint. He told me how thrilled he was to have old friends Lucie Arnaz, Joyce Bulifant, Michael Childers, and Sally Struthers cheering him on.
Nita Whitaker was someone I had never seen perform. Her beauty, grace, and poise were matched by he amazing vocal prowess in her tribute to Natalie Cole, which raised the roof off the theater. Nita’s beautiful daughter provided background vocals. I saw several patrons after the show chatting with Adam Karsten had requested that Nita should return next year.
Mark Arthur Miller gave a very theatrical performance as he told us how he was able to bond with his estranged father through music. His father was Ron Miller, the only white Motown composer to write for artists including Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye. The story of how black soul music built a bridge between a young Jewish kid and his father was fascinating. Mark shared with me that his CV Rep gig opened his new interest in playing in small intimate theaters.
Emily Skinner provided a master class in the art of cabaret. Her song selections were clever and full of surprises. She sang everything from a Mister Rogers ditty to a sexy tune by Mae West. No one who saw her show was surprised to hear that she has been signed to play Miss Hannigan in the upcoming Broadway revival of Annie.
Glenn Rosenblum was the only cabaret artist who was booked for two different nights this season. Part talk show host, part Broadway historian, and a huge part old-time vaudevillian, Rosenblum was a wonderful mix of George S. Irving and Don Rickles. With guest appearances by Broadway veterans Alix Korey, Eileen Barnett, and Dana Meller, Rosenblum shined with what Noël Coward called “a talent to amuse.”
Nic and Desi are a very popular singing and dancing married couple. The pulled out all the stops in a show that had ballroom and tap dancing, ballads, humorous patter songs, and a big dose of old-style romance.
Mary Van Arsdel is a very smart and talented soprano. Mary decided to put together a tribute show to one of her heroes, Barbara Cook. With Cook’s centennial coming up in October of 2027, this glorious show was perfectly timed as a tribute to one of Broadway’s legendary voices. Jason Graae directed this show.
Both Brent Barrett and Davis Gaines performed beautifully this season. Each had had a long run playing the title role in Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Brent had played CV Rep before and told me he loves the theater and the helpful staff. Davis was playing the CV Rep Theatre for the first time and told me he enjoyed it and would love to return. He shared that it was Jimmy Cuomo who prodded him to come, and he was glad he finally did.
Jimmy Cuomo in past years has used a variety of settings on stage. This year he created a single set that looked like a Vegas event space, the showroom on a grand cruise ship, or a ballroom stage in a palace. A real concert grand piano and a number of projection screens and stage furniture were available as needed.
Several artists mentioned that the housing offered to them and the ability to rehearse on stage were ideal. Every artist applauded the friendly and talented design staff and backstage crew.
The success of this series will continue to grow. One of the sponsors suggested to me that trying a few Sunday matinee performances next season might bring in a whole new audience. In Palm Springs there are many audience members who do not like to drive after dark.
Theaters around the country might want to look at the success of the CV Rep Summer Cabaret Series and try some version on their own stages. For CV Rep and the cabaret artists they have showcased, it has been a real win-win for everyone. Around the country, word should go out to theater patrons to “put down that knitting, the book and the broom” and come to the cabaret.
