For the past 20 years, Dr. Tom Truhe has been instrumental in building Palm Springs’ connection to Broadway. As founder of Palm Springs Art Museum’s Cabaret 88 and the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Broadway’s Best in the West concert series, he has expanded Broadway’s presence in the desert and elevated the theatergoing experience across the Coachella Valley.
An avid fan of musical theater, Truhe moved to Palm Springs from New York City in 2000 — after retiring from his first career as a dentist — knowing no one. “I wanted to get involved [in the theater] because I loved the theaters around town, be it the Cultural Center, the Annenberg, or the McCallum or anywhere,” he said. “I will tell you, the theater community was so inviting. I didn’t know anyone, but oh my God, it seemed like within a year I knew everyone!”
In 2006, Truhe was asked to join the Annenberg Theater Council, a now-defunct volunteer committee supporting the theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. His first initiative was establishing Cabaret 88, an intimate evening of cabaret-style concerts with the audience seated at tables onstage close to the performer. The series, which began in 2008, is now in its 18th year and continues to sell out each season.
He then went on to create the Saturday Night Concert Series, featuring both up-and-coming and established entertainers. Now known as Broadway’s Best in the West, the four-show series, which runs from December through March, was renamed when it moved from the Annenberg Theater to the Cultural Center three years ago.
In addition to the Annenberg Theater and the Cultural Center, Truhe has produced programs for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and DAP Health. Over the course of his career, he has raised nearly $4 million for local nonprofits.
“The number one thing I’ve learned doing all these shows in the desert is how unbelievably generous and philanthropic the desert community is,” he said. “I have the most amazing donors. We couldn’t do these shows without the donors. There’s nothing like the Coachella Valley when it comes to generosity of the performing arts of nonprofit institutions.”
“Tom really has changed the cabaret scene in Palm Springs in a lasting way, all the while benefiting local nonprofits with them,” said Palm Springs Cultural Center Executive Director Michael Green. “For the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Tom’s Broadway’s Best in the West series has been transformative, both from a fundraising standpoint and in terms of raising awareness for us as a venue. We are so fortunate to have been the recipient of this amazing gift and fortunate to have had Tom as a friend and supporter.”
Now, after 20 years, Truhe is retiring. To show its appreciation, the Palm Springs Cultural Center will honor him at its upcoming spring fundraiser on April 18, at the center, which is located at 2300 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs. The event begins with cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by a concert by Olivier-nominated actress-singer Sierra Boggess, known as one of Broadway’s most beloved leading ladies.
“She’s one of the most breathtaking singers on Broadway,” Truhe said. “She’s Andrew Lloyd Webber’s favorite. How can you go wrong with that?”
Tickets for the event are $110.73. To purchase or for more information on the gala, visit psculturalcenter.org.
While Truhe has no immediate plans for his next act, one thing is certain. “I am retiring but I still will be attending all the shows.” he said. “We chose the singers [for next year’s Broadway’s Best in the West] already, and we’ve got an amazing group coming. So, I’ll be around.”
Ellen Bluestein is a freelance writer and event producer. She has been working in fund development, marketing and event production for the majority of her career. Originally from Boston, she moved to the Coachella Valley in 2018.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Cultural Center to honor Broadway benefactor Tom Truhe
Reporting by Ellen Bluestein, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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