A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, GIRLS' WEEKEND, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and More Set for DM Playhouse's 2014-15 Season

The Des Moines Community Playhouse has an outrageous, terrific, enchanting, legendary season. The theatre's 96th season includes four iconic musicals, plus dramas, comedies, and family shows. Playhouse season tickets go on sale Mar. 18 online at dmplayhouse.com, at the Playhouse ticket office, and by phone at 515-277-6261.

The 2014-15 Mainstage season begins with "Shrek" followed by the romantic musical, "South Pacific," and the show most requested by audiences and volunteers, "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Mainstage season also features the new comedy, "Girls' Weekend," written by local theatre veteran, Karen Schaffer; the new, Off-Broadway comedy, "Around the World in 80 Days;" and the new musical comedy, "The Addams Family."

In its 20th season, the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre continues its page-to-stage tradition of plays adapted from popular books with "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," "The Miracle Worker," "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood," and "Charlotte's Web."

The Playhouse's 2014 Family Holiday Classic is the musical "Mary Poppins," which will ensure the season is "Practically Perfect" when it comes to the theatre in December.

School matinees are offered in addition to public performances of all children's theatre shows. School matinees will be offered for "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," "Mary Poppins," "The Miracle Worker," "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood," and "Charlotte's Web."

The Playhouse is Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatre. Conveniently located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For season ticket information, contact the Des Moines Community Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261 or visit the Playhouse website at dmplayhouse.com.

2014-15 Playhouse Season

"Shrek"

July 11-Aug. 3, 2014

In a kingdom far, far away, things get ugly when an ogre, not a handsome prince, shows up to rescue a feisty Princess. Throw in a wisecracking Donkey, a villain with a short temper, a Gingerbread Man with attitude, and other fairy tale misfits, and you've got a mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily there's one on hand, and his name is Shrek. "Shrek" is part romance, part twisted fairy tale, and all irreverent fun.

"South Pacific"

Sept. 5-28, 2014

This epic romantic musical centers on a group of American sailors and Navy nurses stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. Arkansas native Nellie Forbush befriends and quickly falls for Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner. Lt. Joe Cable finds himself in a passionate affair with Liat, the young daughter of Bloody Mary, the local grass-skirt peddler. As the war escalates, reality sets in for both Forbush and Cable, who struggle to reconcile their unconventional love affairs with their long-held prejudices and insecurities. Rodgers & Hammerstein's acclaimed musical features "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair," "There is Nothing Like a Dame," "Younger Than Springtime," and the haunting "Bali Ha'i."

"Girls' Weekend"

Oct. 17-Nov. 2, 2014

An innocent book club gathering takes place in a secluded cabin, and the women anticipate nothing crazier than a modest glass of chilled rosé and scholarly literary discussion. After a lot of wine, the men show up, resulting in some creative hide-and-seek, a few little white lies, and even an inopportune visit from the local sheriff. "Girls' Weekend" is a lightning-quick farce written by local theatre veteran, Karen Schaeffer. The script was a hit in the 2013-14 play reading season, and the Playhouse is excited to bring the story to life on the stage.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

Nov. 14-29, 2014

Mrs. Armstrong has broken her leg so novice Grace Bradley is assigned to direct the church Christmas pageant. She is faced with casting the Herdman kids, the most inventively awful kids in history. The Herdman kids collide head first with the Christmas story and show the congregation a thing or two they forgot they knew. This delightful comedy is adapted from the best-selling book by Barbara Robinson.

"Mary Poppins"

Dec. 5-28, 2014

Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, this is the story of the Banks family and how their lives change when the practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, arrives at their home at 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Enjoy a "Jolly Holiday" with Mary, Jane and Michael, and Bert and the chimney sweeps of London.

"The Miracle Worker"

Jan. 16-Feb. 1, 2015

This classic drama is the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller. Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, Helen is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human, and treated by her family as such. Only Annie realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence. Annie's success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a single, glorious word: water.

"A Streetcar Named Desire"

Feb. 6-22, 2015

Tennessee Williams' tragic story begins with fragile former schoolteacher, Blanche DuBouis, who leaves her family plantation home and moves to New Orleans to live with her sister, Stella, and Stella's animalistic husband, Stanley. She quickly gets a gritty life lesson in the seamy, steamy underbelly of 1940s life in the French Quarter.

"The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood"

Feb. 27-Mar. 15, 2015

The charming but egotistical Robin Hood leads his band of merry men and lovely Maid Marian in a battle with the evil Prince John and Sheriff of Nottingham. This is a frantically funny, Monty Python-esque retelling of the classic tale. "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" will lead you on an irreverent jaunt through Sherwood Forest you won't soon forget.

"Around the World in 80 Days"

Apr. 10-26, 2015

Hold onto your seats for the original amazing race! Join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant, Passepartout, as they race to beat the clock. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in a whirlwind show in which five actors portray 39 characters as they traverse the globe.

"Charlotte's Web"

May 1-17, 2015

Wilbur, a runty but goodhearted young pig, finds out he's on course to meet the butcher. Charlotte, a spider, uses her abilities to write "Some Pig" in her web, the first act of selfless love in the attempt to save her friend Wilbur and a friendship that means everything to Charlotte. Based on the book by EB White.

"The Addams Family"

May 29-June 21, 2015

In this spooky musical based on the classic television show, Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love. Her true love turns out to be a sweet, smart young man who comes from a respectable family, a man her parents have never met. And if that weren't enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before: keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.