Brad Prescott Steps Up in Support of Plaza Theatre Restoration

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 18, 2025) The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that Brad Prescott, through the Prescott Foundation, has donated $1 million to the restoration effort to restore and reopen the historic Plaza Theatre.

In addition to the initial $1 million donation, Prescott has challenged the Foundation to secure another $1 million – which he has pledged to match dollar to dollar, effectively raising up to $3 million for the project.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled about Brad Prescott’s incredibly generous donation to help restore the Plaza Theatre," said J.R. Roberts, President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation board. "Brad isn’t just a friend—he and The Prescott Foundation are true heroes for their dedication to preserving more than 130 acres of open space, including the Prescott Preserve, for all of us to enjoy. But he didn’t stop there. Brad and his organization raised the stakes offering an additional $1 million in a dollar-to- dollar match. I look forward to meeting with anyone interested in matching this generous gift.

“It’s an honor to contribute to the Plaza Theatre restoration – not just for the theatre itself, but for the people of Palm Springs,” said Brad Prescott. “My passion has always been preserving open space so future generations can enjoy it. But I’ve come to realize that saving historic architecture is also vital. I’m proud to support J.R. and the incredible work of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to bring this theatre back to life.”

Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs and built in 1936, the Plaza Theatre was a vibrant home for film premieres and screenings, nationally broadcast radio programs, and other performances. In its later years, the theater was home to the long running “The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.” It had fallen into disrepair and has been closed since 2014. The comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation will provide essential infrastructure repairs, installation of new theatrical equipment, and structural improvements to ensure that the building meets current fire prevention and American Disabilities Act mandates. When the restoration is complete, the Plaza Theatre will be poised to continue to provide the city and its visitors with top notch entertainment for years to come.

Earlier this month Oak View Group, which will operate the Theatre, announced a preview of its star-studded lineup of initial performances beginning with Lily Tomlin on December 2 and 3, 2025. “This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the Plaza Theatre’s next act,” said John Bolton, Oak View Group Senior Vice President and Plaza Theatre General Manager. “We are thrilled to offer a sneak peek of our inaugural season of events with many more shows to be announced in the very near future. These initial ten shows spotlight the Plaza Theatre’s ability to host world-class entertainment from comedy to music to theatre to opera to classical music to family events and movies with special guest stars,” added Bolton. Visit the Plaza Theatre’s website at www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com.

It is estimated that when the Theatre is operational it will accommodate approximately 135,000 patrons per year who will potentially generate more than $40 million in incremental spending and provide more than $4 million direct economic impact to the city through sales and transient occupancy taxes. The Theatre will also provide general fund and Measure J revenue through sales tax, hotel tax, and economic impact through direct and indirect spending. Small business support through economic impact downtown and citywide is estimated to be at least $21M per year.

The theatre will also provide community engagement and pride through opportunities to support diverse and educational programming. When the restoration is completed, the Plaza Theatre will serve the community by hosting many kinds of events and productions and will be an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, film premieres, community and educational events, films, and much more.

Some of the recent restoration milestones include structural repairs that have strengthened the building to meet current building codes, asbestos abatement, and installation of a state-of-the- art, energy-efficient HVAC system with new concrete floors poured on the theatre’s main level.

The Plaza Theatre is set to reopen in December 2025, which will not only celebrate our City’s cultural heritage but also provide a significant boost to the downtown economy.

To emphasize the need to continue raising funds and inspire others to give, Foundation President J.R. Roberts recently offered a personal $25,000 challenge match for Valentine's Day that was enthusiastically met by the generosity of the community, raising nearly $35,000 in contributions.

The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre. It has raised more than $18M but must raise at least $8M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses. For those who wish to contribute to the restoration efforts, many exciting naming opportunities are available. To learn more about naming opportunities, contact J.R. Roberts at (760) 218-6330 or info@psplazatheatre.org. For more information and updates on the Plaza Theatre restoration project or to make a contribution, visit SaveThePlazaTheatrePS.org.

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