Desert Ensemble Theatre Company presents "Esperanza: The Musical of Hope"

Desert Ensemble Theatre Company continues its fourth season with a one night-only concert reading of a major new musical: "Esperanza—the Musical of Hope." With book and lyrics by Ken Luber and music by Saverio Rapezzi, Esperanza is set in a rundown sports bar about to be foreclosed at midnight. Three fallen star athletes find themselves waiting for a phone call that will change their lives. As they wait, each faces his/her own follies and mistakes and from the seeds of hope there arises a remarkable love story. The concert features some of the Desert’s finest musical theater performers—Theresa Jewett, Keisha D, Charles Herrera, Philip Moore, Raul Valenzuela and Alan Berry. Patrick Karst is music director. DETC Artistic Director Tony Padilla states: “One of DETC's commitments is to premiere new works, dramatic or musical. We hope this musical acquires investors to propel it to bigger stages and broader audiences. It deserves success and its message of hope needs to be heard.”