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As the summer heat fades, and the familiar faces of high season trickle back into PV, the curtain is rising on another incredible season of unmatched entertainment at The Palm Cabaret and Bar. With the new season starting October 14, 2025, the upcoming year is The Palm’s silver anniversary plus one, and everyone involved is dedicated to making each and every performance an unforgettable experience for all to savor.
Among the standouts are two artists who have become synonymous with The Palm’s reputation for world-class entertainment: Maru Prado Conti is unveiling her daring new Lady Gaga tribute, Mother Mayhem. Roy Gomez Cruz is presenting an evolved, deeply personal take on Freddie Mercury: The Man, The Voice, The Legend. Together, these two shows showcase the passion, artistry, and innovation that continue to make The Palm a cornerstone of Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife.
Both entertainers are introducing all new shows this year that are certain to delight longtime fans. In a special tribute, Mark Rome, entertainment director for The Palm Cabaret and Bar and Coco Cabaret, spoke of his gratitude for the contributions of Maru and Roy, as they celebrate their fifth anniversary of unparalleled pageantry here in Puerto Vallarta.
Mark shared, “Both Maru and Roy have helped change the face of entertainment here in PV, and have collectively set the bar for live performances everywhere.”
Maru Prado Conti Transforms the Stage With ‘Mother Mayhem,’ Her Most Daring Lady Gaga Tribute Yet
Maru Prado Conti is widely recognized in PV as the embodiment of Lady Gaga. She is a brilliant artist, originally hailing from Rosario, Argentina, though now living here in Puerto Vallarta. Maru is co-founder and director of the “TEB New York” program, where she helps artists from around the world train in musical theater, singing, and dancing. She has performed extensively in Spain and Argentina in various musical theater productions, and also works as a vocal and performance coach.
Maru shared, “I admire those who fight for their dreams and work tirelessly to create art, even when they often feel they are not enough, or struggle with the challenges of personal growth,” she continued, “my goal is always to fulfill dreams and create art from the love and vulnerability that we sometimes experience on this path that is life.”
Speaking in reference to her new show at The Palm, Maru was thoughtful, “After four years touring with the tribute show, I felt the need to return with something more personal and artistic, infused with a distinct “Maru” touch, she continued, “during this time, I’ve gone through profound personal and artistic growth, I’ve been inspired by shows that I’ve had the privilege to see in New York, and most of all, by experiencing Lady Gaga live, an encounter that reignited my energy, and pushed me to pour all that growth into this new season.”
Maru’s new Lady Gaga tribute extravaganza is titled Mother Mayhem, and pays homage to Mayhem, Lady Gaga’s latest tour. It will feature highlights from her most recent album, which includes; Abracadabra, Garden of Eden, and Vanish into You, alongside iconic classics such as; Judas, Scheiße, Alejandro, Poker Face, and many more.
This unique stage journey brings Lady Gaga to life with a powerful combination of music, theater, and amazing visual performances. The event will include brand new costumes; custom designed staging, and wonderfully re-imagined music celebrating this new and exciting chapter.
The show will be filled with high energy choreography, unexpected shifts, and a never before seen stage element that will transform the theater into an unexplored universe, where the sacred, as well as the chaotic coexist, and where each audience member will become part of the final victory. Designed to tell the story of the eternal war between the light and the dark, it will leave the audience spellbound. The performance moves effortlessly from the depths of gothic drama, to the highs of an exhilarating celebration, all the while, reveling in the amazing voice and unique presence of Maru.
In each act, the themes of inner turmoil, forbidden desire, and liberation will emerge, and are explored, as is the final triumph of the light, in all its beauty. This season’s musical production will be led by Edgar Bernache, whose guidance will shape the performance in a distinctly artistic direction, which is deeply personal. One of the most heartfelt moments arrives with Shallow, a song that Maru feels will resonate profoundly in the hearts of all who hear it.
Check out Maru’s website at: https://mpcshows.com/
Showtime for Mother Mayhem is every Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. Don’t miss this brand new look at one of the world’s biggest entertainers by one of Puerto Vallarta’s all time greatest stars.
Roy Gomez Cruz Explores the Heart of a Rock God in a Powerful Freddie Mercury Reinvention
Roy Gomez Cruz is a Mexican singer, actor, and producer celebrated for his powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence. With over two decades of experience in the performing arts, Roy has become a standout figure in Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant cabaret scene.
Acclaimed for his phenomenal tribute to Freddie Mercury, his signature act has theatrical flair, vocal authenticity, and emotional depth. Roy captivates audiences with heartfelt performances that channel the music and spirit of Queen, while simultaneously infusing each show with his own unmistakable artistry.
Offstage, Roy is a PhD candidate in Performance Studies at Northwestern University. His academic research explores queer performance, tribute acts, and the voice as an embodiment of memory, and transformation. Above all, Roy is honored to be the joyful father of two marvelous children, his proudest and most meaningful role.
Roy’s new tribute extravaganza is titled Freddie Mercury: The Man, The Voice, The Legend. Five years in the making, Roy’s Freddie Mercury tribute show was created in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Though he had been performing Freddie with a full band since 2018, creating a solo theatrical version of the show in 2020 was a turning point.
Roy shared a tribute to Mark Rome, and his fellow entertainers, who like him, will always remember that challenging time, “Due to COVID-19, the international acts had stopped traveling, most local stages were quiet, the whole world paused, but The Palm Cabaret didn’t go dark, the light shone, and thanks to Mark Rome, that sad period became a little bit brighter.” Roy continued, “I’ll always be grateful to artists like Maru Prado Conti, Mateo Erdocia, Chris Lopez, Sebastian Coronel, and Tonny Kenneth, they helped ignite a light, and shape this tribute from the beginning.”
Roy described how he got to know Freddie, sharing, “I threw myself into research, I read every biography, I watched every concert, I studied Freddie’s rare interviews, and tracked how his style evolved alongside Queen’s music and the world around him, especially during the AIDS crisis.”
Continuing, Roy shared, “I found a Freddie full of contradictions: bold and shy, outrageous and measured, deeply romantic and often heartbroken, he was not just a rock god, he was a profoundly human artist.”
Over the past five years, Roy’s show has evolved continuously. Each season has explored a new facet of Freddie. This season’s title, Freddie Mercury: The Man, The Voice, The Legend, reflects not just Freddie’s larger than life legacy, but also Roy’s evolving relationship with him as a performer and creator.
This year Roy is building on each past season, but taking it to an even higher level. The music is completely revamped, creating a sonic landscape that uses sound design to evoke a journey. Sounds of nature, city noise, cinematic references, and other aspects of life that moved Freddie himself will all be woven into a beautiful tapestry.
The show is even more visually striking, as costumes are upgraded, and choreography expands. The result is a mesmerizing, and deeply emotional experience. There will be surprises, including piano renditions of favorite ballads, as well as, the biggest Queen hits of all time.
Roy shared his thoughts, regarding the upcoming extravaganza.
“I’m excited to collaborate again with Chris Lopez, he brings an external eye for staging, Mery Zambrano will be returning, she has danced in the show since the beginning, and brings not only talent but heart.” Roy continued, with tributes, “Bryan Santana, Waleska Rondón, and Francisco “Paco” Guízar, have been my pillars, as dancers, acrobats, and friends, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them to bring Freddie back to life in all his magic.”
Concluding, Roy was contemplative, “Five years in, the show continues to challenge and inspire me, it has been one of the most transformative journeys of my life; artistically, personally, and professionally, and as long as Freddie keeps whispering through his music, I’ll keep listening.”
Check out Roy’s website at: www.roycruzmusic.com
Showtime for Freddie Mercury: The Man, The Voice, The Legend will be every Monday at 5:00pm, and every Friday at 7:00pm, respectively. Don’t miss this brand new look at one of the world’s biggest entertainers by one of Puerto Vallarta’s all time greatest stars.
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The 2025-2026 Season at The Palm Cabaret and Bar begins October 14th 2025.
The Palm Cabaret and Bar
Olas Altas 508, Zona Romantica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal. Mexico
thepalmcabaret@gmail.com
+52 322 222 0200
Box Office Open Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
This article is from our Fall 2025 print issue. You can view it here.
Esta publicación también está disponible en: English Español
