The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre was filled with nostalgia, glamour, and some of Hollywood’s most beloved music Tuesday night when celebrated photographer, producer and philanthropist Michael Childers presented the latest installment of his popular One Night Only series: “Hollywood: Music from the Movies.”
Timed perfectly to coincide with Oscar week, the evening celebrated the rich legacy of Academy Award–nominated and winning songs from film history. Directed by Scott Coulter, with musical direction and piano by Todd Schroeder and bass by Steve Christensen, the show blended storytelling, nostalgia, and powerhouse performances into a seamless tribute to Hollywood’s musical past.
Adding a touch of classic movie authority to the evening was narration by Dave Karger of Turner Classic Movies.
The show opened with the timeless standards like, The Way You Look Tonight “Accentuate The Positive” and The Days of Wine and Roses,” immediately transporting the audience back to Hollywood’s golden age. From there, the first half of the program unfolded like a musical journey through the 1940s’50s and 60s with beloved songs such as” “Born Free,” “Georgy Girl,” Alfie and “The Way We Were.”
A talented cast of vocalists including Amanda McBroom, Julie Garnyé, David Burnham, and Alex Getlin to name a few, The entire cast brought warmth, elegance, and vocal power to the evening. Their performances captured both the grandeur and intimacy of these iconic songs.
Several standout moments drew enthusiastic applause from the nearly sold-out crowd. A thrilling James Bond medley paid homage to the long-running film franchise, while later performances included “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic and the Oscar-winning “Shallow” from A Star Is Born.
The evening culminated with the entire cast joining together for the rousing Academy Award winning anthem “Fame,” sending the audience out into the Palm Springs night on a jubilant high.
A beloved cultural figure in the Coachella Valley, Childers renowned worldwide for his photography of Hollywood legends has also become one of the region’s most generous arts supporters. In recognition of his contributions, the Palm Springs City Council presented him with a proclamation officially declaring March 10 as Michael Childers Day in Palm Springs.
The enthusiastic audience response made it clear: once again, Childers’ One Night Only series delivered exactly what Palm Springs audiences have come to expect, an elegant, nostalgic evening celebrating the enduring magic of Hollywood.
