'Love is' ... Open Call 2024 at the McCallum Theatre

Love filled the stage and auditorium at the McCallum Theatre April 20 and 21 when the annual Open Call Talent Project, produced by McCallum Theatre Education, showcased the exceptional talents of 42 remarkable local artists ranging in age from 8 to 79.

This year's theme was "Love Is!" And it was quite evident from the very first note that the 2024 collection of finalists loved their art, loved being on the McCallum stage and loved the thunderous ovations that greeted each of the 19 acts.

Virtually every genre of the arts was spotlighted in the production, which had three packed houses at the McCallum. Among their ranks included a number of vocalists, two pianists, a cello player, a young rapper, a chorale, a juggler, a folklorico dance group and a cartoon impressionist.

All of the finalists were awarded stipends for their participation. Over the past 26 years, more than $200,000 has been awarded in prize money to more than 1,700 artists, according to Open Call Producer/Artistic Director and McCallum VP of Education Kajsa Thuresson-Frary. One of those artists was Abi Carter, who is currently wowing America (and Katy Perry) on "American Idol." Carter was a five-time Open Call finalist. Thuresson-Frary urged the sold-out audience to go home, turn on "Idol" and vote for Carter as many times as allowed.

This year, the grand prize winner and the Audience Favorite winner was one and the same with 14-year-old piano prodigy Richard Caldera taking both prizes with his breathtaking rendition of Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu Op. 66."

Second place prize went to singer Lara Marriott for her stunning operatic performance of "Je Veux Vivre" by Charles Gounod. Individual talent achievement awards were presented to Daniel Stewart (vocal), Grupo Folklorico Tonantzin (dance), Giovanni Macias Portugal (novelty act) and Josh Witte (instrumental).

An esteemed panel of judges evaluated the artists, with the audience from the three performances counting as a fifth judging vote. The professional judges included actress-singer Lucie Arnaz, choreographer and director Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs, theater actor Jason Graae and President Emeritus of VanderCook College of Music in Chicago Charles T. Menghini.

"I really was very moved by the amount of joy that was on that stage," Arnaz said. "It was people doing what they love to do. We just need so much more of that on the planet right now."

"I was pleasantly thrilled at the level of talent," Graae said. "I was so ecstatic to see how really wonderful and polished so many of the performers were. It was such a diverse group of people doing so many wonderful things. I cried a couple of times."

Winner Caldera was visibly moved when his name was announced twice, and he thanked his mother and the audience from the stage. After the show, while posing for photos with donors, he remembered being an 8-year-old playing around with a toy piano who went on to become mostly self-taught, even using YouTube videos to learn his art.

"Experiencing Open Call was amazing," he said. "I was so happy to see such creativity, passion and talent. Open Call did not only entertain but also inspired. It's a celebration of artistry, resilience and human spirit which makes it an amazing project that strengthens our community."

Open Call's choreographer and director was Jennifer Backhaus, with Paul Cracchiolo as musical director and Joanna Fookes as production-stage manager. Other crew included Russ Holmes (scenic design), James D. Anderson (sound design), Austin Womack (lighting design), Lynda Shaeps (makeup and hair) and Valentina Lamdin (wardrobe).

Thuresson-Frary thanked presenting sponsors The Commander Allen Donor Advised Fund and the city of Palm Desert, along with all of the Open Call sponsors for "their generosity that fuels the magic that happens at the McCallum Theatre, making the impossible possible, helping to weave dreams into reality and create extraordinary moments that resonate far beyond the walls of the theater."

Additional major sponsors included Rich and Judy Billings (diamond sponsors); Hal and Diane Gershowitz, Doug and Peg Schmalz and Jeanie and Fritz Wolff (emerald sponsors); Miles Berger, Drs. Rainer and Carolyn Izu Bergmann, Rosemarie and Dean L. Buntrock, Jackie and Gary Coakley, Joel A. Douglas, Suz Hunt and Jan Salta (sapphire circle).

Additional donors included Robert Archer and Charles Hilliar, Marge Welmas Barry, Nancy and George Croom, Frank Dimick, Diane J. Dykema, Susan and Warren Gelman, Candace and Jon Holzgrafe, Dale C. and Carole Haes Landon, Pearle Rae Levey, JoAnn McGrath, Jim and Susan Palm, Elise Pasetta, Linda and Manny Rider, Rella and Monroe Rifkin, Betty and Gary Saidel and Vickie Watson and Bud Siemering (topaz circle), as well as 37 donors at the opal circle level.

"I have been attending for many years," said topaz circle sponsor Robert Archer, "and every year is wonderful, but I thought this year was at an even higher level."

Fellow Topaz Circle sponsor Susan Gelman, who was part of the early audition panel, marveled at how the talent level of the finalists ramped up from the auditions to the final performance. "These people really know how to bring a show together," she said.

"Open Call is fabulous," said Opal Circle sponsor Cardriner Bowden. "It's an opportunity for the McCallum and the community to get together and promote the outstanding talent we have in this valley. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and everything, and they are just fantastic. The audience really appreciated every performer."

Open Call 2025 will take place May 2-4, 2025. For more information about McCallum Theatre Education, call (760) 776-6195.

Jeffrey Norman is the former VP of communications and public affairs for the McCallum Theatre and current founder/freelancer for JN Communications. He is a two-time Desert Theatre League Award winner and most recently appeared on stage with The Bent theater in Terrence McNally's "It's Only a Play."

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 'Love is' ... Open Call 2024 at the McCallum Theatre