Suzanne Somers wants to reopen Plaza Theatre

Long-time Valley resident and actress Suzanne Somers is hoping to breathe life back into the Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. The iconic theater closed in 2014, when the 23-year run for the Palm Springs Follies came to an end.

Now Somers wants to renovate the theater to its original glory.

“It’s the perfect size. It has all the right bones, so we brought architects and designers in there and everyone is excited to bring this back. Better than what it was and not destroy the integrity of what it is and what it was,” Somers said.

In order to do so, she and her husband, Alan Hamel, want to take out a long-term lease on the property from the city. They’re willing to put forth some of the money and find others to invest in the renovation.

“It’s in shambles. It’s in absolute shambles. The dressing room area, I was afraid it would fall on me. The theatre area is rat -infested. Nobody has taken care if it, but the bones are there and bones are great,” Somers said.

Somers wants to put in state-of-the-art sound and lights and comfortable chairs. The city has had a few proposals and are in the process of reviewing them.

“What’s really important for us as a city is to get this funded, as well as get a use for it. And my understanding is that Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel have a funding source and that’s what I’m most anxious to see,” said Councilman J.R. Roberts.

Businesses in the area were thrilled when they heard of Somers interest.

“It would be such a wonderful thing to say, ‘Suzanne Somers is taking over the theatre. She’s going to have shows there,’ It would be such a great thing for the downtown economy and the Plaza Theatre,” said Steven Tifft store manager at Brandini Toffee.

Somers, whose show debuts Saturday at the McCallum Theatre wants to bring her talents to her backyard.

“I want to go back to Vegas for a residency, but wouldn’t it be more perfect if I could just drive five minutes down the road from my house and have the kind of gig that I want to?” Somers said.

Somers said she has no intention of retiring, so there’s no reason why she wouldn’t take on this project.