BroadwayWorld.com Des Moines Stories

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:03:21 PST

Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community. In this May 2026 edition, we're bringing you a fresh batch of standout reviews from regional stages across the country - from Brigadoon at Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles to The Phantom of the Opera at Seattle's Paramount Theatre and Pippin at Signature Theatre in DC.

Diane Paulus directs an immersive, David Bowie-inspired Life on Mars at American Repertory Theater, the producers of Japan's Gypsy revival walk back a planned title change, and we go behind the scenes with interviews spanning Adam Fields of the Beetlejuice national tour, The Muny's casting director Michael Baxter, Richard Kind on finally taking on Edna in Hairspray, and BWW's Kid Reporters chatting with the touring Von Trapp kids of The Sound of Music. Plus, get a first look at exciting new productions through performance videos and photos, including Anastasia at La Mirada Theatre, Dear Evan Hansen at Arden Theatre, Pippin at Signature Theatre, and the Manila cast of Jesus Christ Superstar - and so much more from across the BroadwayWorld.

Diane Paulus Will Direct Immersive David Bowie Inspired LIFE ON MARS at American Repertory Theater

Joshua Wright | Boston

Diane Paulus will direct Life on Mars, an immersive theatrical production set to David Bowie's music, as the inaugural production at the Goel Center for Creativity & Performance in May.

GYPSY in Japan: Producers Walk Back Title Change Ahead of 2026 Revival

Joshua Wright | Japan

The Japanese revival of GYPSY will retain its original title when it returns to the stage in 2026, reversing an earlier decision to present the production under the name 'Rose.'

Interviews

Interview: Adam Fields of BEETLEJUICE National Tour

Brock Mills | Jacksonville

For Adam Fields, returning to Jacksonville with the national tour of Beetlejuice the Musical isn’t just another stop, it’s a full-circle moment. The production will play in Jacksonville from May 12–17 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.

Interview: BWW’s 'Kid Reporters' Chat With THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s Touring Von Trapp Kids

Melissa Heckscher | Los Angeles

BroadwayWorld Los Angeles' kid reporters talk with the young touring cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC to find out what it's like to be part of one of Broadway’s most iconic shows and what actually happens behind the curtain.

Interview: Chatting with The Muny's Casting Director Michael Baxter

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

Michael Baxter’s work will shine on The Muny stage during all 50 performances this summer. He led the efforts and had a hand in hiring every one of the 194 actors who will fill the principal and ensemble roles.

Interview: Richard Kind Talks Finally Taking on Edna in The Muny's HAIRSPRAY

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

When The Muny opens their production of Hairspray on June 15, 2026, the legendary Richard Kind will don Edna Turnblad’s housecoat and step into her fuzzy house slippers. Kind, star of stage, screen and film, calls it bucket list moments to get to perform at The Muny and play Edna all at the same time.

Reviews

Review: BRIGADOON at Pasadena Playhouse

Andrew Child | Los Angeles

Brava to Alexandra Silber for capturing all the heart and humor of Lerner’s original book with her thoughtful new adaptation and brava to Katie Spelman for dreaming up a Brigadoon that is as ebullient and spirited as it is deeply human.

Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Paramount Theatre

Shelley Dean | Seattle

It’s almost unbelievable for me to admit that this was my first time seeing The Phantom of the Opera. Of course, I knew the iconic songs and had seen countless clips over the years, but experiencing the production live on stage for the first time was entirely different, haunting, and spine-chilling in the best way possible. From the chandelier drop to the monumental set pieces, the show truly lives up to its legendary reputation. The 2026 tour, directed by Harold Prince, serves as a revitalized version of the original production, featuring Maria Björnson’s iconic designs, musical staging, and choreography by Gillian Lynne. It is absolutely ravishing, and Seattle audiences are lining up hours early to witness the spectacle for themselves.

Review: PIPPIN at Signature Theatre

Aidan O'Connor | Washington, DC

Certain facets of the human condition are foundational to our very existence – change, connection, desire. One such particularly toxic universal truth is a constant need to be something more than we currently are. To search for happiness in external achievement rather than within ourselves, in our simple joys. Pippin at Signature Theatre breathes within that precise virulence, relatively orchestrated by a troupe of impeccably costumed and choreographed players. A feast for the eyes in all senses, Matthew Gardiner’s production surpasses even the highest of expectations.

Videos

Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'

Michael Major | Los Angeles

La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.

Photos/Video: DEAR EVAN HANSEN At Arden Theatre

A.A. Cristi | Philadelphia

Arden Theatre Company is now presenting DEAR EVAN HANSEN as the final production of its 2025/26 season, with performances continuing through July 5. New production photos and video have been released from the Philadelphia production, including footage of Evan A. Kaushesh performing “Waving Through a Window.”

Video: Watch 'Corner of the Sky' From Signature Theatre's PIPPIN

Michael Major | Washington, DC

Watch a video of Brayden Bambino performing 'Corner of the Sky' in Signature Theatre's production of Pippin. The in-the-round production is now running through July 26 with tickets available now.

Photos

Photos: Get a First Look at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in Manila

Oliver Oliveros | Philippines

The 2017 Olivier Award winner for Best Musical Revival, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' has officially opened at The Theatre at Solaire.

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:05 PST

Ever watched the weekly Broadway grosses roll in and thought you could pick the winners? Now you can put it to the test. BroadwayWorld has launched the Producer Fantasy Game, a free, season-long competition that lets theatre fans build a roster of Broadway shows and earn points based on how those productions actually perform at the box office. The draft window is open now.

How It Works

The setup is simple. During the draft window, you pick any six Broadway productions that opened this season. Drafting is non-exclusive, so there is no need to race a rival for a hot title. Any number of players can roster the same show.

From there, your shows go to work for you. Every week, each production on your roster earns fantasy points based on its reported box office grosses and capacity percentages. When Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations and wins are announced, your shows bank bonus points on top of that. And each week you can answer our Fantasy Forecast prediction questions for up to five bonus points per correct call.

Weekly Scoring

Each week, a show earns one base point for every $50,000 it grosses, so a $1 million week is worth 20 base points. On top of that, shows can earn bonuses: up to five points for filling seats (based on how close to full capacity the house ran), six points for grossing $2 million or more (or three points for grossing between $1 million and $2 million), and eight points if its gross jumped at least 15 percent from the week before. A show loses four points if its gross dropped at least 15 percent. If a show goes dark and reports no gross for a week, it scores zero for that week with no penalty.

The Fantasy Forecast

The Producer Fantasy Game is really two games in one. The first is the box office game: drafting shows and earning points from their weekly grosses and awards. The second is the Fantasy Forecast, a weekly set of prediction questions about what's happening on Broadway, where each correct answer is worth up to five points. You can play one or both.

We track them separately so you can shine at either. Your Producer score covers the box office game, your Forecast score covers your prediction results, and your Combined score adds the two together for the overall championship ranking. The leaderboard lets you toggle between Overall, Producers, and Forecasters, so a sharp predictor can top the Forecasters board even during a rough season for their roster, and a roster powerhouse can lead the Producers board without answering a single question.

Managing Your Roster

Your lineup stays at six shows all season, and you have plenty of room to maneuver. You get one free drop every week, three additional season drops to use anytime before the trade deadline, and free replacements whenever a show on your roster closes. New productions open throughout the season and become available the moment they start reporting grosses, so it pays to keep a transaction in your pocket for that buzzy new opening.

Join the Game

The Producer Fantasy Game is free for all BroadwayWorld users, and you can join any time the draft window is open. Draft within the first two weeks of the season and your roster is scored from opening week, so the earlier you get in, the more weeks you bank. Build your roster, make your predictions, and start climbing the leaderboard today.

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:57:07 PST

“A Drag Queen Christmas” will return for its 12th year, launching a 39-city national tour this November - December. The 2026 edition is hosted by returning fan favorite and theatre star Nina West, and features an all-new merry lineup of drag superstars from the Emmy-winning RuPaul's Drag Race franchise.

Artist pre-sale begins Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. (local time) with the code “TWELVE,” and general on sale begins Friday, June 5 at 10 a.m. (local time) at dragfans.com.

This year's cast includes:

Myki Meeks, Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Nini Coco, Runner-up, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Darlene Mitchell, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Juicy Love Dion, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Discord Addams, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Crystal Methyd, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026) & Drag Race Season 12 (2020)
Silky Ganache, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026), Drag Race All Stars Season 6 (2021), Drag Race Season 11 (2019)

“A Drag Queen Christmas” is the world's premiere holiday drag showcase and a sensational theatrical experience that delivers high camp, over-the-top lip-sync performances, side-splitting comedy, elaborate costumes, Broadway-style staging, and a whole lot of heart—something we all seek during the chaos of the holiday season. With plenty of spectacular surprises in store, the show offers audiences a chance to see drag queens at the top of their game perform showstopping numbers of epic holiday proportions on revered theater stages across America. Each year, “A Drag Queen Christmas” provides an annual tradition for folks from all walks of life to come together and connect, find community, and celebrate the season with joy and laughter.

This dazzling, 18+ holiday extravaganza runs two hours and offers fans the chance to add-on a VIP Meet & Greet Experience—including early access to the venue, photos with the queens on stage, autographs, and exclusive tour merchandise.

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

November 11 - Detroit, MI (Fisher Theatre)

November 12 - Rochester, NY (Kodak Center)

November 13 - Rutland, VT (Paramount Theatre)

November 14 - Portland, ME (Merrill Auditorium)

November 15 - Boston, MA (Emerson Colonial Theatre)

November 17 - Red Bank, NJ (Count Basie Center for the Arts)

November 18 - Morristown, NJ (Mayo Performing Arts Center)

November 19 - Washington, DC (Warner Theatre)

November 20 - Durham, NC (Durham Performing Arts Center)

November 21 - Wilmington, NC (Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College)

November 22 - Philadelphia, PA (Fillmore)

November 24 - Pittsburgh, PA (Byham Theater)

November 25 - Columbus, OH (Palace Theatre)

November 27 - Chicago, IL (Riviera Theatre)

November 28 - Appleton, WI (Fox Cities Performing Arts Center)

November 29 - Omaha, NE (Orpheum Theater)

November 30 - Oklahoma City, OK (The Criterion)

December 1 - Des Moines, IA (Hoyt Sherman Place)

December 2 - Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)

December 4 - Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)

December 5 - Salt Lake City, UT (Kingsbury Hall)

December 7 - Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)

December 9 - Sacramento, CA (Channel 24)

December 10 - San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Theatre)

December 11 - Stockton, CA (Bob Hope Theatre)

December 12 - Los Angeles, CA (The Wiltern)

December 13 - Santa Rosa, CA (Luther Burbank Center)

December 15 - Mesa, AZ (Mesa Arts Center)

December 16 - Tucson, AZ (Fox Tucson Theatre)

December 17 - El Paso, TX (Plaza Theatre)

December 19 - Austin, TX (ACL Live at The Moody Theater)

December 20 - Dallas, TX (Winspear Opera House)

December 21 - Wichita, KS (Orpheum Theatre)

December 22 - St.Louis, MO (The Factory)

December 23 - Knoxville, TN (Tennessee Theatre)

December 26 - Tampa Bay, FL (Straz Center for the Performing Arts)

December 27 - Fort Myers, FL (Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall)

December 28 - West Palm Beach, FL (Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)

December 29 - Jacksonville, FL (Florida Theatre)

Two Iowa Students Named Triple Threats at IHSMTA Showcase

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:51:38 PST

After a night of musical theater, two students earned Triple Threat Awards Thursday evening at the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA) Showcase. The two students will represent the state of Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards) next month in New York City.

Wrigley Mancha, a senior at Davenport Central Iowa High School in Davenport, recently played Cinderella in Into the Woods. Wrigley's previous credits include Fantine in Les Misérables School Edition, Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone Teen Edition, and Chava in Fiddler on the Roof at Circa 21' Dinner Playhouse. She plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall to double major in Public Health and Theatre Arts.

Peyton Haacke, a senior at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, recently performed as Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical. Peyton's previous credits also include SpongeBob SquarePants in The SpongeBob Musical, Angel in Rent, and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family. After graduation, he plans to attend The Institute for American Musical Theater in New York City to study Musical Theatre.

As Triple Threat Award recipients, Wrigley and Peyton will travel to New York City June 12-23 to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. They will join students from across the country for an 11-day intensive of individual coaching, master classes, and rehearsals with Broadway professionals. Their experience will culminate with a final performance on June 22 at 6:30 p.m. local time at the Minskoff Theatre, home to Disney's The Lion King on Broadway.

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) is an official Regional Awards Program of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. To identify Iowa's two representatives at the Jimmy Awards, the Triple Threat Award program was created. The award recognizes students are a “triple threat,” demonstrating excellence in acting, dancing and vocal talents. Additionally, the Triple Threat Award recognizes students who exemplify the spirit of the IHSMTA.

This year, students selected from more than 100 participating IHSMTA schools auditioned for the Triple Threat Award. The students were invited to audition based on the strength of their performances in their school musical production in a role. Students spent three days this month auditioning, rehearsing under the direction of New York City-based theater professionals, and receiving private coaching from local university faculty.

Four students from the Triple Threat program were also awarded scholarships to DMPA's Broadway Intensive Camp. Each year guest Broadway performers travel to Des Moines to lead teens entering 9th grade through the first year of college in a week-long series of master classes. They focus on the triple threat skills of musical theater. The week culminates in a showcase for family and friends. Those scholarship recipients are:

Natalie Sierk, North Scott High School (2025 Triple Threat recipient)
Audrey Seneli, Bettendorf High School
Riley Beck, Dubuque Senior High School
Levi Lane, Spencer High School

Two Iowa Students Named Triple Threats at IHSMTA Showcase

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:51:38 PST

Natalie Sierk, North Scott High School (2025 Triple Threat recipient)
Audrey Seneli, Bettendorf High School
Riley Beck, Dubuque Senior High School
Levi Lane, Spencer High School

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:59:39 PST

As Sonic the Hedgehog celebrates 35 years as one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, Senbla and SEGA today announced Sonic Live In Concert (www.sonicliveinconcert.com). This new concert experience brings the music and moments of the beloved video games to the stage.

Featuring iconic moments and music from the very first game in 1991 through today, the production will debut in the U.S. at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on September 26, 2026, before making its European premiere at London's Eventim Apollo on September 30. The U.S. tour will visit more than 30 cities nationwide, and a UK tour will follow in February 2027. More European dates will be announced at a later time. Tickets will go on sale May 29, 2026, with pre-sale tickets going on sale on May 28, 2026.

As part of a global rollout celebrating the franchise's milestone anniversary, Sonic Live In Concert features the most recognizable music from the Sonic universe, performed by a live ensemble alongside rock musicians, vocalists, and electronic elements. The setlist includes fan-favorite tracks and an incredible array of music from the very first game through to today accompanied by synchronized HD footage of iconic levels, moments and boss battles from the franchise. Audiences can expect musical Easter eggs woven into the arrangements, adding an extra layer of discovery that brings Sonic's world vividly to life on stage.

The concert also highlights the creative legacy behind Sonic's music from legendary composers Jun Senoue and Tomoya Ohtani, whose work has helped define Sonic's sound across generations.

"Sonic has some of the most distinct and celebrated music in gaming," says Ollie Rosenblatt, CEO of Senbla. "We wanted to create a live show that stays true to what the fans love about Sonic's music, from the electronic and melodic themes to high-energy rock."

“Music has always been a core part of Sonic's identity, shaping how fans experience this world across generations," said Ivo Gerscovich, Chief Business & Brand Officer at SEGA of America, Inc. "With this concert, we're looking forward to celebrating that legacy in a live setting; bringing together the energy, emotion, and creativity of Sonic's music in a way that both longtime fans and new audiences can enjoy together.”

Since his debut in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has become a global entertainment icon spanning video games, film, television, and consumer products. With renewed momentum driven by recent film releases, new game titles, and a global brand campaign tied to the 35th anniversary, the franchise continues to reach new generations of fans worldwide.

The performance schedule includes:

September 20, 2026 – Spokane, Washington – First Interstate Center for the Arts
September 22, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre (preview)
September 23, 2026 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium (preview)
September 25, 2026 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre (preview)
September 26, 2026 – Hollywood, CA – Dolby Theatre
September 27, 2026 – Riverside, CA – Fox Performing Arts Center
September 29, 2026 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater
September 30, 2026 – London, U.K. – London Eventim Apollo
October 1, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre
October 2, 2026 – Fresno, CA – Saroyan Theatre
October 3, 2026 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
October 4, 2026 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
October 6, 2026 – Denver, CO – Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre
October 8, 2026 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
October 9, 2026 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
October 10, 2026 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
October 11, 2026 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
October 13, 2026 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
October 15, 2026 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
October 16, 2026 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance Theater
October 17, 2026 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre
October 18, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
October 19, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
October 20, 2026 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
October 22, 2026 – Brandon, MS – City Hall Live
October 23, 2026 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
October 24, 2026 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
October 25, 2026 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts
October 27, 2026 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
October 28, 2026 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
October 29, 2026 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
October 30, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FL – Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
October 31, 2026 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Au Rene Theater
November 1, 2026 – Orlando, FL – Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
February 17, 2027 – Glasgow, UK – Royal Concert Hall
February 18, 2027 – Edinburgh, UK – Usher Hall
February 19, 2027 – Manchester, UK – Bridgewater Hall
February 20, 2027 – Birmingham, UK – Symphony Hall

For more information, tour dates, and tickets, visit www.sonicliveinconcert.com.

Cast Set for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Revival Theatre Company

Tue, 26 May 2026 12:45:50 PST

Revival Theatre Company has revealed the cast and creative team for the musical Fiddler on the Roof, with Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick (She Loves Me, Fiorello!) and a Book by Joseph Stein (Rags, The Bakers Wife).

The production will feature Tad Paulson as Tevye, Jacob Simon (Fiddler on the Roof national tour) as Motel. Fiddler on the Roof will be directed by Revival Theatre Company Artistic Director Brian Glick (Revivals Come From Away, Merrily We Roll Along) with choreography by Todd Rhoades Paramount Theatre (The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast) and music direction by Jacob Carll (Mamma Mia Broadway, Elf National Tour, She Loves Me Bucks County Playhouse).

Performances run June 12 - June 21, 2026 at Revival's home - CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tickets start at $39 and are available now.

Hinterland Music Festival to Debut Permanent Outdoor Stage for 2026 Edition

Wed, 20 May 2026 22:20:18 PST

Hinterland Music Festival has announced the completion of a new permanent outdoor stage at its festival grounds in St. Charles, Iowa ahead of the event’s 11th annual edition, taking place July 30 through August 2, 2026.

The festival grounds have expanded by 130 acres in 2026 and now span nearly 400 acres across camping and parking areas, with 27 acres dedicated to the main festival concourse. Organizers said the new permanent stage marks a major infrastructure investment as the festival continues to grow.

Festival founder Sam Summers said: “From the beginning, our goal has been to build something lasting here — not just for one weekend, but for the long term. This permanent outdoor stage allows us to keep growing Hinterland in a thoughtful way, improve the experience for fans and artists, and continue establishing this part of Iowa as a special place for live music in the heart of the Midwest.”

The stage was designed by Goché inclusions in collaboration with the festival’s ownership and operations team. The structure spans approximately 8,000 square feet, stands 65 feet tall, and features a steel frame with insulated metal panel construction designed for long-term outdoor use.

Located about 30 minutes south of Des Moines, the site has become one of the Midwest’s largest outdoor music venues.

2026 Lineup

THURSDAY, JULY 30

KATSEYE
beabadoobee
Ashnikko
Audrey Nuna
Oklou
Jane Remover
Frost Children
Porch Light
Nourished by Time
Pixel Grip

FRIDAY, JULY 31

Lorde
MUNA
Snow Strippers
Paris Paloma
Sofia Isella
Wisp
Saint Avangeline
Between Friends
Ninajirachi

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

Mumford & Sons
Jessie Murph
The Format
Santigold
CMAT
Julia Wolf
Waylon Wyatt
Amble
The Brook & The Bluff
Buffalo Traffic Jam

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2

Kali Uchis
Young Miko
Geese
Wet Leg
Suki Waterhouse
Audrey Hobert
Samia
Haute & Freddy
Die Spitz
Gouge Away

More information and tickets are available at Hinterland Music Festival.

Review: CINDERELLA at Ballet Des Moines

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:22:24 PST

There is a magic that only happens when seeing a show live. Sometimes it comes from a special effect, and other times from the beauty of telling a story. When that magic happens, it becomes a memory that will last not till midnight, but for a lifetime. On May 16, I got to experience that magic when Ballet Des Moines and the Des Moines Symphony partnered to present Sergei Prokofiev's "Cinderella." The full house and standing ovation showed this partnership is the kind of magic audiences want to see continue in Des Moines.

With several versions of "Cinderella," here is a short synopsis of the ballet version. The show starts, and we see Cinderella tending to her stepmother, Barbarra, and her stepsisters, Maxxie and Minnie. When they leave Cinderella alone in the house, she dreams of what her life could be. Maxie then brings her a gift, showing her kindness. Before long, Barbarra and Minnie show back up to prepare for the ball. Barbarra tears up the invitation for Cinderella, so she isn't able to go to the ball. Once they leave for the ball, the Fairy Godmother invites the spirits of the four seasons to help, and they do the magic we are all accustomed to with the story.

As soon as the symphony began playing under the direction of guest conductor Jared Oaks, I was transported to the world of the story. I appreciated that, at the top of the first two acts, we were given a little time to bask in the beautiful music. The music became its own character within the story.

The choreography throughout the evening by resident choreographer Tom Mattingly was stunning to watch. Especially when it was performed on stage with such luminaries from Ballet Des Moines, which included Megan Boyette as the beautiful Fairy Godmother, Savanah Cox as the deliciously evil Barbara, the stepmother, and Jordan Powers and Cameron Miller as the comedic stepsisters, Minnie and Maxie. Mattingly's choreography brought out the best in each of these performers. I also appreciated that he used young dancers, showcasing the ballet's commitment to enriching lives through education.

What had me transfixed during the evening were the times that Amelia Grub Hillman as Cinderella and Eddie Kidd as the Prince came together for a pas de deux at the end of Act 1 and Act 2. Both times I watched, I found myself in awe of the strength and beauty these phenomenal dancers brought to the stage.

One of the things I've appreciated with both shows, now that I've seen the ballet, is how they partner with the community to make ballet accessible to as many people as possible. Partnering with the Des Moines Symphony brings ballet to people who may not have experienced it before but enjoy the symphony's beautiful music. By telling a story familiar to children, several families brought their children to the ballet for the first time. The other partnership that brought people in was through the Des Moines Public Library, where just by showing your library card, you could get a free ticket to the ballet, removing the cost barrier for those who needed it, making this truly a performance accessible to all.

Ballet Des Moines production of "Cinderella" truly had something for everyone. From the beautiful music to the stunning choreography to the phenomenal performances, watching this production was truly experiencing magic on the stage. While the clock has struck midnight on this production, you can find out more about Ballet Des Moines upcoming performances by visiting Ballet Des Moines.

THE NOTEBOOK North American Tour Adds 26 Cities to 2026-27 Route

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:13:15 PST

The North American Tour of THE NOTEBOOK hasannounced engagements for the 2026-27 season, adding 26 cites to the previously announced route, including stops in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and Houston. The tour began performances on September 6, 2025, at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, and has welcomed over 500,000 patrons to date.

Read the reviews for the touring production of The Notebook.

Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Based on the book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that is one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK played Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 to December 2024 following a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the fall of 2022.

THE NOTEBOOK features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC's “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).

The creative team for the tour includes scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon. The production's music supervisor is Carmel Dean, who also collaborated on arrangements with Ingrid Michaelson and on orchestrations with John Clancy, and the music director is Tina Faye. Casting by The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin, CSA.

The production was recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical.

2026-2027 Tour Dates:

Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre
September 22 – October 4, 2026

Dayton, OH — Schuster Center
October 6 – 11, 2026

Grand Rapids, MI — DeVos Performance Hall
October 13 – 18, 2026

East Lansing, MI — Wharton Center
October 27 – November 1, 2026

Richmond, VA — Altria Theater
November 3 – 8, 2026

Pittsburgh, PA — Benedum Center
November 10 – 15, 2026

Schenectady, NY — Proctors
December 1 – 6, 2026

Boston, MA — Emerson Colonial Theatre
December 8 – 20, 2026

Oklahoma City, OK — Civic Center Music Hall
December 29, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Houston, TX — Hobby Center
January 5 – 10, 2027

Dallas, TX — Winspear Opera House
January 12 – 24, 2027

New Orleans, LA — Saenger Theatre
January 26 – 31, 2027

Hershey, PA — Hershey Theatre
February 3 – 7, 2027

Providence, RI — PPAC
February 9 – 14, 2027

Rochester, NY — Auditorium Theatre
February 16 – 21, 2027

Fayetteville, AR — Walton Arts Center
February 24 – 28, 2027

Huntsville, AL — Von Braun Center
March 2 – 7, 2027

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Broward Center
March 9 – 14, 2027

Ft. Myers, FL — Barbara B. Mann Hall
March 16 – 21, 2027

Naples, FL — Artis—Naples
March 23 – 28, 2027

North Charleston, SC — North Charleston PAC
March 30 – April 4, 2027

Birmingham, AL — BJCC Concert Hall
April 6 – 11, 2027

Atlanta, GA — Fox Theatre
April 13 – 18, 2027

Tucson, AZ — Centennial Hall
April 27 – May 2, 2027

San Jose, CA — Center for the Performing Arts
May 4 – 9, 2027

Sacramento, CA — SAFE Credit Union PAC
May 11 – 16, 2027

StageMag Launches Programmable PDF Editor for Digital Theater Programs

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:04:02 PST

StageMag, the digital show program platform from BroadwayWorld, today launched its new PDF Editor to all producers and stage managers using the service. The tool gives editors granular, real-time control over how their digital program renders as a downloadable or printable PDF - the format most often used in lobby printouts, accessibility packets, and press kits.

Until now, the StageMag-to-PDF path was a one-shot export: whatever fit, fit. The new editor turns the export into a configurable surface. Each section of a program including the cast list, song list, director's note, bios, advertisements, sponsor pages, articles, listings and more — can be individually told how to paginate. Editors choose between three strategies per section:

Flow: natural pagination, sections may split across pages.
Own page: start the section on a fresh page.
Fit one page: start fresh and scale the section to occupy the whole page.

A live preview pane re-renders the PDF on every change, so editors see the final printed result as they work rather than guessing and re-exporting.Beyond the strategy picker, the editor exposes a set of advanced controls familiar to anyone who has hand-tuned a long-form print document: hide-element selectors (drop sponsor strips or vestigial nav from the print version), forced page breaks before or after named elements, a draggable section-order list, custom header/footer/watermark text, and a custom-CSS escape hatch for theaters whose programs follow a house style.

The release also includes paper-level controls including US Letter or A4, portrait or landscape, three margin presets, three type scales, and a "booklet" mode that adds a binding gutter for stapled lobby printouts.

The PDF Editor is available now to all StageMag-enabled productions at no additional cost, under the Share PDF tab in the program editor. Existing programs render with sensible defaults; the new controls are opt-in and per-production.

About StageMag

StageMag is BroadwayWorld's digital playbill platform, used by Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, university, and community theater productions to publish interactive programs that audiences open on their phones from a QR code in the lobby. StageMag is offered as a free service to participating productions.

About BroadwayWorld

Founded in 2003, BroadwayWorld is the largest theater website in the world, covering Broadway, the West End, and theater news, reviews, interviews, and resources across all 50 US states and 45 countries.

Des Moines Performing Arts Launches HY-VEE SUMMER ARTS SERIES With Free Park Performances

Tue, 05 May 2026 16:45:52 PST

Des Moines Performing Arts has announced the Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series, a season of free performances taking place in parks across the Des Moines metro area.

Presented in partnership with Hy-Vee, the series will include a range of family-friendly events, performances, and interactive experiences throughout the summer.

The lineup features circus, theater, dance, storytelling, and participatory installations, with events scheduled in locations including Cowles Commons, neighborhood parks, and community gathering spaces.

FLIP Fabrique: Summer Break

Do you remember your summer camp… the bus ride away from your parents, the smell of campfires, the coldness of the lake in the morning? FLIP Fabrique does, and they built a circus experience for audiences to jump into nostalgia! Bring your popcorn and marshmallows and hop on the Vacation Bus!

Saturday, June 13
10 & 11:30 a.m., Cowles Commons (Des Moines)

Sunday, June 14
5:30 p.m., Ankeny Bandshell (Ankeny)

Monday, June 15
6 p.m., Water Works Park (Des Moines)

Polyglot Theatre's Bees

Bees is a hands-on experience where children become part of the performance, interacting with performers in a hive-inspired setting focused on community, communication, and imagination.

Tuesday, July 14
10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., Ashby Park (Des Moines)

Wednesday, July 15
6 p.m., Polk City Town Square (Polk City)

Thursday, July 16
11 a.m., The Station (Bondurant)
6 p.m., Colby Park (Windsor Heights)

Friday, July 17
4:30 & 7 p.m., Walker Johnston Park (Urbandale)

Polyglot Theatre is working in partnership with Inlet Dance Theatre to deliver this season.

Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid

Domino Effect is an interactive installation featuring oversized luminous dominoes that create a communal, participatory experience for audiences.

Aug. 29 – Sept. 30
Cowles Commons (Des Moines)

The installation is produced by Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and co-presented by Operation Downtown in partnership with the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Storytime Under the Green Umbrella

Des Moines Performing Arts education partners will lead a series of storytelling and music sessions for young audiences and their families.

Wednesdays: June 10 & 24, July 8 & 22, Aug. 5 & 19
10:30 a.m., Cowles Commons (Des Moines)

Dance Fitness with Tony Zika

Outdoor dance fitness sessions led by Tony Zika will combine movement, music, and community engagement.

Sundays: June 28, July 26 & Aug. 23
9 a.m., Cowles Commons (Des Moines)

Additional details, including full programming and assets for each event, are available through Des Moines Performing Arts.

SOMETHING WONDERFUL: RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN AT THE MANSION Announced By Opera Saratoga

Sun, 03 May 2026 12:05:41 PST

Opera Saratoga opens its 2026 season with concerts featuring the 2026 Festival Artists, accompanied by Opera Saratoga’s music staff, led by acclaimed pianist and coach Adam Nielsen, who joined the company in December 2025.

Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Mansion, will showcase the voices of this year’s Festival Artists at The Mansion Inn, only minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs.

“These young singers are some of the best we’ve ever had in Saratoga Springs — they’ve won national awards, sung, and played in A-houses and many are going to Europe next year” says General and Artistic Director, Mary Birnbaum. “We are tremendously lucky to have them at Opera Saratoga, and I can assure you, you won’t want to miss this chance to hear them in a beautiful, intimate setting!”

“Something Wonderful” features many song from the musical theatre repertoire including songs from “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” and rarities like “Allegro,” “The Boys from Syracuse,” “Floyd Collins,” and “Once Upon a Mattress.”

Performances will take place on May 31 at The Mansion Inn located at 801 NY 29 Rock City Falls, NY. Tickets can be purchased at the Opera Saratoga's website.

Review: SUFFS at Des Moines Performing Arts

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:45:20 PST

In a time on Broadway where so many shows are based on familiar IP, it's refreshing to have a new story come to the stage. In 2022, Suffs opened on Broadway at The Public Theatre, and then kept marching to Broadway, and now it is marching across the US. While the show is based on the suffragists' fight to secure the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, it is anything but dated. It reminds us that the fight for voting rights continues today, inspiring hope and a sense of ongoing importance for the audience.

The story of "Suffs" begins when Alice Paul, a suffragist, approaches Carrie Chapman Catt to organize a march for women's right to vote. When Catt, who's been a longtime member of the National American Women's Suffrage Association (NAWSA), says they should secure suffrage by gaining approval slowly, state by state, Paul decides to organize a march in Washington, D.C. The show's story continues through the ratification of the 19th Amendment, but leaves the audience with a profound question. How much are we willing to fight for, and when do we step aside and let the new generation of fighters take the lead?

You can't talk about "Suffs" without talking about the Tony Award-winning book and score by Shaina Taub. While the show's primary story is about the fight for women's right to vote in the country, Taub has layered the story in ways that invite us to take a deeper look. One of those is looking at how different generations approach fighting for an issue. Over the course of this show, we see three generations, each faced with when to push forward and when to step aside and let another lead. One thing I appreciated is that the show also examines the scope of what was actually won in the end. While women got the right to vote, it would be another 45 years before all African American women were ensured the right to vote.

"Suffs" is very purposeful in deciding which part of the show they consider most important. For them, it is the story being told, so it doesn't require a flashy set or costumes. It still has a beautiful but slightly flawed set by Riccardo Hernández and tour scenic designer Christine Peters. The flaws, for me, came when backdrops stretched across the stage, but you could see visible wrinkles in them. There were also some transitions where, once the set was in place and the scene started, you could still see lights behind the piece and people leaving the stage. One element of the tech I loved was the lighting in Lap Chi Chu and its use for shadows and silhouettes.

As with any show, "Suffs" wouldn't be the success it is without an extremely talented cast leading the way. Narrowing down which cast members to talk about is nearly impossible. So I've decided to look at the characters and what the voices they represent in the story. For our opening night performance, the role of Alice Paul was played by Jenna Lea Rosen. She brought a fire and passion to Alice that made you root for her no matter how many times she got pushed down. It wasn't until after the show, when I was looking at the call board, that I realized she was an understudy. Marya Grandy delivered a stoic yet reserved performance as Carrie Chapman Catt, fitting for the leader of the older generation who wasn't quite ready to let the next generation take over. Danyel Fulton brought the pain of a voice not being heard to Ida B. Wells.

"Suffs" is a history lesson on stage that reminds us to keep marching for important causes, which is leading the show on a march across the country. From the amazing sets and lights to the powerful performances, this show has a little something for everyone. The show continues marching at the Civic Center through May 3. To find out more or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/broadway/suffs

OPERATION MINCEMEAT Reveals 2026-27 Tour Dates and Cities

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:12:44 PST

OPERATION MINCEMEAT has announced the full 2026/27 season dates for the North American leg of its world tour. The news comes as OPERATION MINCEMEAT celebrates its 500th performance on Broadway this Saturday, May 2, after hitting 2,000 performances worldwide - now playing simultaneously in the West End, on Broadway, and on tour across the UK. Following the North American leg, further stops on its international journey will include Australia, China, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Read the reviews for the Broadway run here.

Producer Jon Thoday for Avalon said, “Launching our third OPERATION MINCEMEAT production, the North American leg of the world tour, as the show reaches 500 performances on Broadway and passes 2,000 worldwide is incredibly exciting. With its continued international growth and an expanding fanbase, we look forward to welcoming new audiences across the continent.”

The North American leg of the Mincemeat World Tour will launch at the Providence Performance Arts Center (Providence, RI), on September 20, 2026, before crisscrossing North America this upcoming season, with stops including Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.

Operation Mincemeat Tour Dates:

Providence, RI – Providence Performing Arts Center
September 20–26, 2026

Chicago, IL – CIBC Theatre
September 29–October 11, 2026

Boston, MA – Colonial Theatre
October 13–25, 2026

Toronto, ON – Theatre TBD
October–December 2026

Philadelphia, PA – Forrest Theatre
December 15–20, 2026

Columbus, OH – Ohio Theatre
January 5–10, 2027

Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
January 12–24, 2027

Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
January 26–31, 2027

Eugene, OR – Hult Center
February 3–7, 2027

Seattle, WA – 5th Avenue Theatre
February 10–21, 2027

Tempe, AZ – ASU Gammage
February 23–28, 2027

Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theatre
March 2–7, 2027

San Francisco, CA – Orpheum Theatre
March 9–28, 2027

Los Angeles, CA – Pantages Theatre
March 30–April 18, 2027

San Diego, CA – Civic Center
April 20–25, 2027

Hartford, CT – Bushnell Center
May 4–9, 2027

Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
May 11–16, 2027

Greenville, SC – Peace Center
May 18–23, 2027

Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
May 25–30, 2027

Tampa, FL – Straz Center
June 1–6, 2027

Washington, DC – The National Theatre
June 8–20, 2027

Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Performing Arts Center
June 22–27, 2027

Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
July 6–11, 2027

Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre
July 13–18, 2027

Fort Worth, TX – Bass Performance Hall
July 20–25, 2027

About Operation Mincemeat

In OPERATION MINCEMEAT: A NEW MUSICAL, it's 1943, and the Allied Forces are on the ropes. Luckily, they've got a trick up their sleeve. Well, not up their sleeve, per se, but rather inside the pocket of a stolen corpse. Equal parts farce, thriller, and Ian Fleming-style spy caper (with an assist from Mr. Fleming himself), OPERATION MINCEMEAT tells the wildly improbable and hilarious true story of the covert operation that turned the tide of WWII.

Written by triple Tony Award nominees SpitLip (comprised of David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts), OPERATION MINCEMEAT began performances on Broadway on February 15, 2025, and continues to play at the historic Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street), where it has been extended eight times and will soon celebrate its 500th performance. The West End production, which has been playing at the Fortune Theatre since March 29, 2023, is widely recognized as one of the best-reviewed shows in West End history, holding the record for the most five-star reviews for a new musical, with a tally of 131. OPERATION MINCEMEAT has just launched its world tour, beginning with a UK leg before heading across the pond.

Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky's Edge, National Theatre – Best New Musical Olivier Award winner) will reprise his work for the tour, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. The creative team will include Olivier nominated Set and Costume Designer Ben Stones (Standing at the Sky's Edge), Tony and Olivier winning Lighting Designer Mark Henderson (The History Boys), Tony nominated Sound Designer Mike Walker (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Tony nominated Orchestrator Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and Olivier nominated Music Supervisor Joe Bunker (Spring Awakening). Georgie Staight is Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles is Associate Choreographer. Production Stage Management is by Geoff Maus, Casting is by Carrie Gardner, CSA, and General Management is by TT Partners.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT has been nominated for 64 awards since opening at the 77-seat New Diorama Theatre in 2019, winning 13, including Best Musical 3 times, from the Olivier Awards, WhatsOnStage Awards, and Off-West End Awards. On Broadway, the show was nominated for 4 Tony Awards in 2025, including Best Musical. The production won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jak Malone's portrayal of Hester Leggatt, who previously won the Olivier Award in the same category. The production has also received nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding New Broadway Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Best Musical at the BroadwayWorld Theater Fans' Choice Awards, and Favourite New Musical at the Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards.

MY ÁNTONIA World Premiere Cast Unveiled

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:12:42 PST

Theater Latté Da has announced complete casting and single ticket on-sale for its world premiere musical My Ántonia.

Based on the classic novel by Willa Cather, conceived by Jessie Austrian, Noah Brody, Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses, with music and lyrics by Drama Desk and Lortel Award-nominated team The Kilbanes and book by Noah Brody. Performances begin on June 3, 2026 and will continue through July 12, 2026 at the historic Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis. Opening night is Saturday, June 6, 2026.

“For a company rooted in the Midwest, My Ántonia feels almost inevitable,” said Latté Da's Artistic Director, Justin Lucero. “Willa Cather's great American novel carries the sweep of the prairie, the intimacy of memory, and a profound reverence for the immigrant imagination that helped shape this country. To re-encounter that through musical theater is thrilling. At a moment when the contributions of immigrants to America deserves renewed recognition, this work feels not only beautiful, but urgently resonant.”

In this Latté Da-commissioned world premiere, Willa Cather's beloved novel is envisioned as a celebration of resilience and the enduring strength of women. Featuring a sweeping indie folk score by The Kilbanes and an imaginative libretto by Noah Brody, this poignant adaptation traces the immigrant experience on the Great Plains at the turn of the 20th century through the eyes of the lifelong friendship between orphan boy Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda, daughter of a Bohemian immigrant family. My Ántonia offers a timely celebration of the contributions of immigrants to the nation's identity and spirit as America marks its 250th anniversary. Rooted in the land and shaped by memory, this powerful work invites us to consider how we remember our past, and whose stories we choose to tell.

Furthering a tradition of developing bold new work, this highly anticipated world premiere concludes the 2025-26 season. “Bringing My Ántonia to its world premiere feels like a profound expression of who we are and what we've been building toward,” states Lucero. “This musical stands as part of the successful culmination of our NEXT 25 x 25 initiative—a commissioned work nurtured through years of drafts, workshops, and developmental steps, now arriving fully realized on our stage. There is something deeply meaningful about seeing a project we have believed in over time take its place in the world, especially in the hands of creators whose voices are among the most adventurous and compelling in music-theater today.”

The four-member creative team of The Kilbanes (Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses), Noah Brody and Jessie Austrian was the first to be selected for Latté Da's NEXT Generation commission in 2019, and the work was further developed through several Latté Da-hosted workshops and two well-received presentations as part of the Summer 2024 NEXT Festival of New Musicals. My Ántonia represents the first shared project of this four-member team. Married composer-lyricists The Kilbanes are frequent collaborators whose past work includes the Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award-nominated Weightless (WP Theater). Also partners in life and art, director Jessie Austrian and book writer Noah Brody are among the founding co-Artistic Directors of New York City's acclaimed Off-Broadway ensemble company Fiasco Theater.

“One of the great joys of new work development is championing artists whose voices expand what musical theater can be,” states Lucero. “We have believed for years that this piece could become a landmark addition to the canon, and it is exhilarating to help bring it into the world. Additionally, My Ántonia represents so much of what defines Theater Latté Da: investment in new work, faith in visionary creators, and a belief that music-theater can illuminate who we have been and who we might become.” My Ántonia will mark Latté Da's eighteenth world premiere production.

The complete cast for My Ántonia includes Sara Masterson (Falsettos, Fun Home), Will Dusek (Scotland, PA), Em Adam Rosenberg (2025 NEXT Festival), Tom Reed (Stones in His Pockets, Scotland, PA, Gutenberg! The Musical!), Sally Wingert (A Little Night Music, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Sweeney Todd), Bradley Greenwald (Johnny Skeeky, Passion, Journey On), Spencer Chandler (Christmas At The Local), Emily Gunyou-Halaas (Scotland, PA, Passage of Dreams), Anna Hashizume (Hello, Dolly!, La Bohème, My Fair Lady), James Rodriguez (Evita, Cabaret, Peter and the Starcatcher), Lillian Hochman (2024 NEXT Festival), and Maddox Tabalba (Latté Da Debut).

Understudies include Tara Borman (Scotland, PA), Erin Nicole Farsté (Christmas At The Local), Kamani Graham (2024 NEXT Festival), France Roberts (The Color Purple), Eve Scharback (Fun Home) and Laila Sahir (Latté Da debut).

My Ántonia is directed by Jessie Austrian, with music direction by Jason Hansen and choreography by Joey Miller. The design team includes scenic designer Ben Olsen, Costume Designer Sarah Bahr, lighting designer Wu Chen Khoo, sound designer Katharine Horowitz, props designer Madelaine Foster and hair and makeup designer Emma Gustafson. Shelby Reddig is stage manager and Austin Schoenfelder is assistant stage manager.

The world premiere production of My Ántonia is made possible in part by the support of production sponsors Tom Knabel and Kent Allin. Its commission and development was supported by new work grants from Nara Fund, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the National Endowment for the Arts, Phileona Foundation, RBC Foundation, Ruth Easton Fund of the Edelstein Family Foundation, and numerous generous individuals who share Latté Da's belief in the importance of nurturing new voices in music theater.

The 2025/26 season opened October 8, 2025 with the original concert offering Journey On: A 100th Show Cabaret Celebration, marking the organization's 100th production and the launch of a milestone year that also brings the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Ritz Theater in Spring 2026 and the successful completion of the ambitious NEXT 25 X 25 initiative to support the development of 25 new musicals over a five-year period. The season continued in November with a hit reimagined production of the Lerner & Loewe classic My Fair Lady, led by Artistic Director Justin Lucero, followed by the Tennessee Williams masterwork The Glass Menagerie (also directed by Lucero), and the Tony Award nominated Gutenberg! The Musical! directed by Tyler Michaels King. Following My Ántonia is the return of the annual NEXT Festival, dedicated to the development of new musicals and plays with music.

TICKETS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT LATTÉ DA

Tickets for My Ántonia are now available for purchase, starting at just $37. A FLEXPack of 6 tickets is also available for purchase for $396, and may be used in any combination, for any available seat, to see shows throughout the 2025/26 season.

Tickets and FLEXPacks may be purchased online at www.LatteDa.org, by calling the Box Office at 612-339-3003, or in person at the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis. Box Office hours are from 12 - 5 PM Tuesday to Friday, and from 12 - 5 PM on Saturdays during performance runs only.

A range of discounted attendance opportunities and physical access initiatives are offered for every production to ensure a welcoming experience for patrons of all backgrounds. Access offerings include ASL interpretation, open captioning and audio description at select performances, and services including braille and large-print programs, assistive listening devices, multiple accessible seating choices, wheelchair companion seating, bariatric chairs and physically accessible all-gender restrooms are available for every performance.

Photos: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Opens Friday At City Circle Theatre Company

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:43:18 PST

City Circle Theatre Company will present THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. The production will run May 1–3 and May 8–10, 2026. See photos of the production.

The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical comedy centered on a theatre fan who plays his favorite cast album, causing the story to come to life around him. The show features a musical-within-a-musical structure and celebrates elements of classic Broadway performance.

Performances will take place Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m.; Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m. A Student Rush will be available for the May 2 performance, with remaining seats offered for $15 beginning one hour before curtain.

The cast includes Uri Lessing as Man in Chair, Alex Siron as Robert, Gabriel Lessing as George, Jenny Amundson as Janet, Kami Zbanek Hill as Chaperone, Ethan Glenn as Aldolpho, Emily Ash as Kitty, Caleb Haselhuhn as Feldzieg, Zoe Murphy as Gangster #1, Tiffany Zarifkar as Gangster #2, Christine Enderle as Tottendale, John Smick as Underling, and Courtney Faust as Trix. The ensemble features Sabrina Duke, Allie Klinsky, Alex Kohler, Sam Nester, Abby Noelck, and Cassie Williams.

The production is directed by John Zbanek Hill, with music direction by Leslie Hyland, choreography by Aaron Malec, and stage management by Nicky Beaurivage.

Tickets are priced $19–$33 (before fees and sales tax) and are available online at www.CoralvilleArts.org or by calling (319) 248-9370. Box office hours are Wednesday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. by phone, and in person one hour before showtime at 1301 5th Street in Coralville.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

RAGTIME Will Launch National Tour in Fall 2027

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:00:22 PST

Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, announced today that it will launch a North American Tour in the fall of 2027. The tour will premiere at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre in Buffalo, New York, before continuing onto cities across the U.S. and Canada. Additional tour stops and casting will be announced at a later date.

Lincoln Center Theater’s limited engagement of Ragtime has been extended twice by popular demand with performances now through August 2, 2026. The production set a new box office record at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and was recently nominated foreight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Lear deBessonet), as well as five Drama League Awards including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Lear deBessonet).

“Ragtime is one of the most ambitious musicals ever written, and it feels timelier than ever,” said producers Tom Kirdahy, Kevin Ryan, Robert Greenblatt, and Lamar Richardson in a statement. “What Lear deBessonet and this extraordinary company have created at Lincoln Center Theater is both epic in scale and deeply human. We couldn’t be more excited to share it with communities across North America.”

“It’s a real honor to kick off the North American Tour of Ragtime at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre,” said Buffalo presenter Al Nocciolino. “This is the kind of production people talk about long after the curtain comes down—remarkable in scale and deeply moving. We’re thrilled to welcome it to our stage and proud to share it with our community first.”

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Featuring a Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Tony Award-winning book by Terrence McNally, and Tony Award-winning orchestrations by William David Brohn, Ragtime weaves fictional narratives with real historical figures and events, creating a rich tapestry that blurs the line between personal struggle and national identity, making history feel both intimate and epic.

The creative team for Ragtime includes Ellenore Scott (choreography), David Korins (scenic design), Linda Cho (costume design), Adam Honoré & Donald Holder (lighting design), Kai Harada (sound design), 59 Studio (projection design), Tom Watson (hair & wig design), Ann James (sensitivity specialist), and The Telsey Office, Craig Burns, CSA (casting).

OH, MARY! Reveals Tour Dates and Cities For 2026-27

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:23:47 PST

The North American Tour of Oh, Mary! has announced the dates and cities for its 2026-27 season. The tour of the Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning comedy will tech and launch at The Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut, with performances beginning September 19, 2026. Casting will be announced at a later date. Check out the full list of tour dates below~

Written by Tony Award and Olivier Award winner Cole Escola and directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! opened on Broadway on July 11, 2024, and continues to play at the Lyceum Theatre, where it became the first show in the theatre’s 121-year history to gross more than $1,000,000 in a single week. Oh, Mary! has since broken its own box office record twelve times and became the first show of the 2024-25 Broadway season to recoup its investment. Oh, Mary! opened to rave reviews in London’s West End on December 18, 2025.

Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).

The full creative team for the Broadway production includes dots (Scenic Designer), Holly Pierson (Costume Designer), Cha See (Lighting Designer), Daniel Kluger (Sound Design and Original Music), Drew Levy (Sound Designer), Leah J. Loukas (Wig Designer), Addison Heeren (Props Supervision), and David Dabbon (Musical Arrangements). Casting by Henry Russell Bergstein, CSA.

Oh, Mary! is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia with Bob Boyett, The Council, Jean Doumanian Productions, Nicole Eisenberg, Jay Marcus & George Strus, Irony Point, Richard Batchelder/Bradley Reynolds, Tyler Mount/Tommy Doyle, Nelson & Tao, Palomares & Rosenberg, and Showtown Productions.

Tour Dates

September 19–23, 2026
Hartford, CT — The Bushnell

September 29–October 4, 2026
San Diego, CA — San Diego Civic Theatre

October 6–11, 2026
Las Vegas, NV — The Smith Center

October 13–November 1, 2026
San Francisco, CA — Curran Theatre

November 3–8, 2026
Seattle, WA — The Paramount Theatre

November 10–December 6, 2026
Los Angeles, CA — Ahmanson Theatre

December 21, 2026–January 3, 2027
Boston, MA — Emerson Colonial Theatre

January 6–17, 2027
Saint Paul, MN — Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

January 19–February 7, 2027
Chicago, IL — CIBC Theatre

February 9–21, 2027
Washington, DC — The National Theatre

February 23–28, 2027
Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre

March 9–14, 2027
Philadelphia, PA — Miller Theater

March 16–28, 2027
Charlotte, NC — Blumenthal Arts

March 30–April 4, 2027
Cleveland, OH — Connor Palace

April 6–11, 2027
Tampa, FL — Straz Center

April 27–May 9, 2027
Houston, TX — Hobby Center

May 11–16, 2027
West Palm Beach, FL — Kravis Center

Play Broadway Games Every Day in May and Win a Merch Prize Pack

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:30:20 PST

Broadway fans, your daily warm-up just got a whole lot more rewarding. BroadwayWorld is launching the May 2026 Games Challenge - a month-long streak competition open to fans across the U.S., with a $250 merch prize pack featuring merchandise from popular Broadway shows up for grabs.

The challenge runs all 31 days of May 2026 (Eastern Time), and all you need to enter is a free BroadwayWorld account.

How It Works

The rules are simple: play at least one BroadwayWorld game every day in May. That's it. Complete all 31 days and you'll earn one entry to win the prize pack. Tracking is automatic once you're logged in - your progress populates on the challenge page as you play, no manual check-ins required.

Any of these six games count toward your daily credit:

Make-Up Days: Because Life Happens

Miss a day? You're not out of the running. Play all six games in a single day and you'll earn a make-up credit, which automatically forgives your earliest missed day. You can bank up to three make-up credits over the course of the month - so a skipped Tuesday or a busy weekend doesn't have to end your streak. Credits are applied to your missed days in order, oldest first.

Ready to Start Your Streak?

The May 2026 BroadwayWorld Games Challenge runs May 1-31 (Eastern Time) and is open to U.S. residents only.

Click here to get started. Sign in with your free BroadwayWorld account and your tracking begins automatically - no registration beyond that required.

See full rules and regulations here.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Will Come to City Circle Theatre Company in May

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:11:57 PST

The Drowsy Chaperone will open Friday night, May 1! City Circle Theatre Company will present The Drowsy Chaperone at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts May 1–3 & 8–10. Tickets are $19–33 (before fees and sales tax) and are available online, or by calling (319) 248-9370. CCPA Box Office hours are phone only Wednesday–Friday Noon–4:00 PM, and in person one hour before show time at the CCPA Box Office at 1301 5th Street, Coralville.

Champagne, showstoppers, and a musical within a musical (within a comedy!) — The Drowsy Chaperone is Broadway comedy at its most irresistible. When a die-hard theatre fan plays his favorite cast album, the characters leap to life in this hilarious, Tony Award-winning celebration of everything we love about musical theatre. New York Magazine called it "The Perfect Broadway Musical," and it's easy to see why.

City Circle Theatre Company brings this madcap delight to the Coralville Center stage with all the glamour, heart, and spectacle the show demands. Filled with show-stopping numbers, sharp wit, and a generous serving of pure theatrical joy, this is the production you won't want to miss this spring. Catch it May 1–3 and 8–10—and come ready to laugh!

Student Rush: Students can buy any remaining seats for only $15 each starting one hour before the show on Saturday, May 2. One day only!

The cast includes Man in Chair — Uri Lessing, Robert — Alex Siron, George — Gabriel Lessing, Janet — Jenny Amundson, Chaperone — Kami Zbanek Hill, Aldolpho — Ethan Glenn, Kitty — Emily Ash, Feldzieg — Caleb Haselhuhn, Gangster #1 — Zoe Murphy, Gangster #2 — Tiffany Zarifkar, Tottendale — Christine Enderle, Underling — John Smick, and Trix — Courtney Faust. Ensemble: Sabrina Duke, Allie Klinsky, Alex Kohler, Sam Nester, Abby Noelck, and Cassie Williams.

Ailey II, Ballet Hispánico, and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE anf More Set for Des Moines Performing Arts

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:00:56 PST

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) just announced the return of four popular series: the Dance Series, National Geographic Live Speaker Series, the Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series and the Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series.

This season’s lineup delivers world-class artistry, captivating storytelling and unforgettable entertainment – from internationally acclaimed dance companies to laugh-out-loud comedy, incredible live music and extraordinary real-world exploration.

The Dance Series welcomes the return of two powerhouse companies – considered two of the top dance organizations in New York.

▪ Ailey II

▪ Ballet Hispánico New York

The National Geographic Live Speaker Series brings audiences face-to-face with groundbreaking discoveries and breathtaking visuals.

▪ “Wild Wolves of Yellowstone” with wildlife biologist Doug Smith

▪ “Ghosts of Pompeii” with archaeologist Caitie Barrett

▪ “Chasing Monarchs” with photographer Jaime Rojo

The Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series will be filled with high-energy, laugh-filled nights. From a shot-for-shot parody of a beloved dinosaur blockbuster to an inebriated cast performing a serious Shakespeare play and a nostalgic joyride through the John Hughes wing of 1980s synthpop music. ▪ Hold On to Your Butts

▪ Sh!t-faced Shakespeare®: Macbeth

▪ 80s kids

The Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series promises a wide range of genres, including soft rock, bluegrass, country, Latin pop and jazz. The R&B soul band Oh He Dead will headline the season.

▪ Alysha Brilla

o Folk & pop

▪ Oh He Dead

o R&B & soul

▪ Mama Said String Band

o Bluegrass & folk

▪ Alex Cuba

o Latin pop, funk & jazz

▪ The Boneshakers

o Blues & funk

Add-ons:

▪ Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters

o Soft rock & 1970s

▪ On The Lash

o Irish folk & Celtic

Season tickets for all three series are on sale now. You can purchase season tickets at DMPA.org, at the Civic Center Ticket Office (221 Walnut Street), or by phone at (515) 246-2300. Groups of 10+ can also reserve seats now. On-sale dates for tickets to individual shows will be announced at a later date.

DANCE SERIES

AILEY II | Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best early career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, the company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who was selected by Mr. Ailey to be its founding Artistic Director, serving in that role for the company’s first 38 seasons. With Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, Ailey II continues to thrive as she brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company. Dance Magazine calls Ailey II "second to none," and The New York Times declares, "There's nothing like an evening spent with Ailey II, the younger version of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."

BALLET HISPÁNICO NEW YORK | Tuesday, April 27, 2027

Ballet Hispánico New York (BHNY) is one of the nation’s leading dance institutions, recognized for its artistic excellence and its lasting contribution to American culture. Founded in 1970 by Tina Ramirez, the organization was established to create greater opportunity for talented artists and to build a company grounded in discipline, training, and high-performance standards. Over more than five decades, BHNY has developed a repertory of over 100 works, collaborating with respected choreographers and presenting performances on major stages across the United States and internationally.

The organization operates through three core pillars—its professional Company, School, and Community Arts Partnerships—reaching millions annually through performance, education, and public programs. The Company tours nationally and abroad, while the school provides rigorous training to over 1,000 students each year and awards significant scholarship support. Through its community programs, BHNY partners with schools and local organizations to bring arts education to tens of thousands of participants.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who assumed the role in 2009, BHNY has expanded its national presence and strengthened its commitment to artistic quality and innovation. The organization continues to commission and present new works while maintaining a standard of excellence that has defined it for over 50 years. Recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation, Ballet Hispánico New York remains a respected and enduring institution.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE SPEAKER SERIES

WILD WOLVES OF YELLOWSTONE: EXPLORER Doug Smith | Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Yellowstone National Park contains many stories, including one of the best-case studies in wildlife conservation. Wildlife biologist and National Geographic Explorer Doug Smith led the project that reintroduced gray wolves in the 1990s. We join him on assignment in the park to see how the landscape has changed since the wolves arrived, including never-before-seen photos and videos of the quest to bring back this apex predator.

Doug Smith served as a wildlife biologist at Yellowstone National Park for nearly three decades and studied everything from beavers to birds. Most importantly, he led the Yellowstone Wolf Project, which reintroduced gray wolves to the park. He’s written numerous scientific publications and has been featured in four National Geographic television specials. He has also written and edited several books about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including the 2023 book: Yellowstone’s Birds: Diversity and Abundance in the World’s First National Park.

THE GHOST OF POMPEII: EXPLORER CAITIE BARRETT | Wednesday, January 27, 2027

Even thousands of years after its demise, the Roman Empire captivates us, and the ancient city of Pompeii is the place to understand it all. Volcanic ash created an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of ancient people who lived, worked, and played in this coastal city. We go on assignment with archaeologist Caitie Barrett to the latest dig sites to uncover new stories that still lie buried in this special place.

Caitie Barrett is an archaeologist who studies everyday life and cross-cultural interactions in the ancient Mediterranean. She teaches at Cornell University as Associate Professor of Classics. She also co-directs an archaeological excavation at Pompeii, the Casa della Regina Carolina (CRC) Project, which explores how Roman houses shaped their inhabitants’ lived experiences. Her areas of specialization include Mediterranean and Egyptian archaeology, household archaeology, the archaeology of religion and ritual, and interactions between Egypt and the Greco-Roman world in antiquity. In addition to her current fieldwork at Pompeii, she has also excavated and surveyed a range of Bronze Age through early modern sites in Egypt, Greece, and the United States.

CHASING MONARCHS: EXPLORER Jaime Rojo | Thursday, April 29, 2027

Fifty years after the discovery that monarch butterflies spend winters in the forests of Mexico, photographer and National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo reveals this insect through new visuals. Tag along with conservationists and citizen scientists who are helping this species avoid catastrophic threats, all through Jaime’s photos and videos.

Jaime Rojo is a photographer and advocate of wilderness conservation and large landscape connectivity. He is an International League of Conservation Photographers Senior Fellow, a trustee of the WILD Foundation, and the recipient of honors in competitions such as World Press Photo and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

PRAIRIE MEADOWS COMEDY SERIES

HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS | October 6-11, 2026

65 million years ago, dinosaurs ruled the earth.
30 years ago, a movie about dinosaurs ruled the box office.
This year, you are invited to Hold On To Your Butts.

Following its West End and Off-Broadway debuts, the show from Recent Cutbacks goes on tour. Two actors and a Foley artist perform a live, shot-for-shot parody of a dinosaur film through comedy, physical theatre, and live Foley.

SH!T-FACED SHAKESPEARE®: MACBETH | March 30 - April 4, 2027

An entirely serious Shakespeare play, with an entirely intoxicated cast member.

Founded in 2010 in the UK and first arriving in the U.S. in 2015, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® blends Elizabethan theater with improvisational elements. Featuring a rotating cast of Boston actors, the show combines classic text with unscripted moments.

ADD-ON

80S KIDS | April 29 – May 1, 2027

Get ready to revisit synthpop through a concert-style theater show by Shannon Curtis and Jamie Hill. The performance blends music with stories about growing up in the 1980s, featuring songs from that era.

PRAIRIE MEADOWS LIVE AT THE TEMPLE CONCERT SERIES

ALYSHA BRILLA | Friday, October 2, 2026

Alysha Brilla is a three-time Juno Award-nominated songwriter and performer. Rooted in her Indo-Tanzanian heritage and shaped by her Canadian upbringing, her sound blends global percussion, guitar, and vocals.

OH HE DEAD | Friday, October 23, 2026

Washington, DC’s Oh He Dead blends pop and rock, led by vocalist CJ Bowlin Johnson alongside a five-piece band.

MAMA SAID STRING BAND | Saturday, November 21, 2026

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Mama Said String Band blends bluegrass, folk, and Americana with vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation.

ALEX CUBA | Friday, April 16, 2027

Alex Cuba is a Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning artist known for blending Latin pop with global influences.

THE BONESHAKERS | Saturday, May 15, 2027

Led by guitarist Randy Jacobs, The Boneshakers blend Detroit soul and R&B, with members who have collaborated with artists including Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin.

ADD-ON

CLOSE TO YOU: THE MUSIC OF THE CARPENTERS | Saturday, January 23, 2027

A tribute to Karen Carpenter, featuring vocalist Lisa Rock and a six-piece band performing songs including “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.”

ON THE LASH | Saturday, March 20, 2027

On The Lash is a group focused on Irish traditional music, blending classic songs with original arrangements.

TOSCA, OF MICE AND MEN, And KING ROGER Casting Revealed for Des Moines Metro Opera 2026 Festival Season

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:08:21 PST

Des Moines Metro Opera has announced complete casting for its 2026 Festival Season, running June 26 through July 19, featuring new productions of Tosca, Of Mice and Men, and King Roger. The three works will be presented in rotating repertory at the 467-seat Pote Theatre at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa.

“We are thrilled to unveil complete casting for our highly anticipated 2026 Festival Season, featuring three all-new productions brought to life by a roster of world-class artists drawn from across the globe,” said General and Artistic Director Michael Egel. “Once again, our commitment to showcasing extraordinary talent at pivotal moments in their international careers takes center stage.”

The season will open with TOSCA, not seen at the company since 2009, featuring Laura Wilde as Floria Tosca, Brian Michael Moore as Mario Cavaradossi, and Norman Garrett as Baron Scarpia, with additional performances by Wei Wu, Alan Williams, and Lucas van Lierop.

OF MICE AND MEN, presented as part of the Carlisle Floyd centennial, will feature John Findon as Lennie Small, John Moore as George Milton, Cadie J. Bryan as Curley’s Wife, Adrian Kramer as Curley, Kevin Deas as Candy, and Dean Murphy as Slim. The production is a co-production with Houston Grand Opera, Florida State University, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

The company will also present its first production of KING ROGER, marking the 100th anniversary of the work. The cast will include Alexander Birch Elliott as King Roger II, Lydia Katarina as Roxana, Christopher Sokolowski as the Shepherd, and Lucas van Lierop as Edrisi.

David Neely will conduct TOSCA and KING ROGER, while Christopher James Ray will make his mainstage debut conducting OF MICE AND MEN. Stage directors include Joshua Borths (TOSCA), Kristine McIntyre (OF MICE AND MEN), and Chas Rader-Shieber (KING ROGER), with Lisa Hasson returning as chorus director for all three productions.

“Spanning a rich and diverse musical landscape, the 2026 season offers audiences an expansive musical tapestry and a storytelling journey with something to captivate every listener,” Egel added.

All performances will be sung in their original languages with projected English supertitles. Subscription packages and single tickets are available now through the company’s box office.

NEWSIES Unseats LES MISÉRABLES to Win BroadwayWorld's 2026 Ultimate Movie Musical Bracket

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:32 PST

After six weeks of voting, BroadwayWorld readers have crowned Newsies the Ultimate Best Movie Musical in the 2026 edition of BroadwayWorld's Annual Bracket. The 1992 Disney film, directed by Kenny Ortega and featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, defeated Les Misérables in the final round, ending the Tom Hooper-directed film's two-year winning streak.

In both 2024 and 2025, Les Misérables was voted as the Ultimate Best Musical of all time, making it the title to beat heading into this year's competition. Newsies, a perennial fan favorite that developed a devoted following after its theatrical release and has since been adapted for the Broadway stage, advanced through six rounds of head-to-head matchups before claiming the title.

Now in its third year, BroadwayWorld's Bracket invites readers to debate, defend, and ultimately crown the greatest movie musical of all time from a field selected by BroadwayWorld editors. Voting in the 2026 edition opened on Tuesday, February 24 and concluded on Sunday, April 12, with new matchups released each week.

CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! Will Come to Des Moines in May

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:45:35 PST

An evening of participatory music-making is set to take over downtown Des Moines this spring as Des Moines Performing Arts welcomes the internationally recognized collective Choir! Choir! Choir! to its stage.

The event will take place on May 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Temple Theater, offering audiences a chance to become part of the performance rather than simply observe it.

Founded in 2011 by Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman, Choir! Choir! Choir! has gained global attention for its unique format: attendees are taught vocal arrangements live during the event and then join together in a large-scale group performance. The concept transforms traditional concerts into communal experiences, blending elements of performance, workshop, and social gathering.

The concert will feature the music of QUEEN.

Since 2011, Choir! Choir! Choir! directors Daveed Goldman + Nobu Adilman have blurred the lines between performer and audience, traveling the world to create harmony with strangers and friends alike. They’ve collaborated with renowned artists like Patti Smith, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Rick Astley, Rufus Wainwright, and even Kermit the Frog at New York’s Lincoln Center, creating memorable videos that have garnered views in the millions.

BroadwayWorld My Shows is Now Part of the New & Improved App

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:34:45 PST

Since launching last fall, BroadwayWorld My Shows has been the place where theatre fans log every production they've seen, rate performances, write reviews, and document their theatre experiences. Today, we're thrilled to announce that the complete My Shows experience - rebuilt from the ground up - is now available inside the BroadwayWorld app for iPhone and iPad.

Whether you're a Broadway regular, a West End devotee, a tour-chaser, or someone who just caught their very first show last weekend, My Shows in the app lets you track it all, connect with friends who love theatre as much as you do, and carry your entire theatregoing history with you wherever you go.

@broadwayworld
The complete My Shows experience - rebuilt from the ground up - is now available inside the BroadwayWorld app for iPhone and iPad. Get started now!
♬ original sound - BroadwayWorld

What's New in My Shows

A Social Feed Built for Theatre Fans- See what your friends are watching in real time: new logs, star ratings, and reviews in a scrollable activity stream. Like, comment, and discover what your community is raving about.

Your Complete Theatregoing Stats - The redesigned Profile turns your history into beautiful statistics: Shows Seen, Total Attendances, Repeat Visits, a Broadway / West End / Tour / Off-Broadway / Regional breakdown, and a Musicals vs. Plays split.

Smart, Grouped Show History - Seen Wicked four times? Record repeart attendances with individual visits, ratings, and reviews.

Find Friends - Search members, send and accept requests, and build your theatre community. A friend-requests banner at the top of your feed means you never miss a new connection.

The Quick Start Wizard - Catching up on years of theatregoing? Rapidly rate and log shows across Broadway, West End, Touring, Off-Broadway, and a curated popular list of the longest-running Broadway productions of all time.

Theatres You've Visited - Browse every theatre on Broadway, and beyond. See where you've been, what's still on your list, and every production that's ever played there.

Wishlist - Keep track of the shows you're dying to see, now front and center in the app's tab bar.

Built for iPhone and iPad — The entire experience is fully optimized for both, with layouts that adapt to bigger screens.

Getting Started

If you already have a BroadwayWorld account, just open the app, tap My Shows, and sign in. Everything you've ever logged on the website will be right there waiting for you.

New to BroadwayWorld? Create a free account in seconds and start building your theatregoing history today.

Download the BroadwayWorld app - free on the App Store - and take your theatre life with you.

Click Here to Play!

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from March 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:54:50 PST

Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community. In this March 2026 edition, we're bringing you a fresh batch of standout reviews from regional stages across the country - from the world premiere of Mrs. Christie at Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park to touring productions of The Great Gatsby in Houston, Water for Elephants in Minneapolis, and Wicked in Providence.

Tony-winning Stereophonic lands at DPAC in Raleigh, The Hunchback of Notre Dame takes the stage at Hale Centre Theatre in Utah, and Safety Not Guaranteed makes its way to Signature Theatre in DC. Plus, get a first look at exciting new productions through performance videos and photos, including White Rooster at Lookingglass Theatre, the new tour of Kinky Boots, Romeo and Juliet at Arden Theatre Company, The Crucible at Washington National Opera, and the Manila cast of A Chorus Line - and so much more from across the BroadwayWorld.

Interview: Matthew Lombardo and Beth Leavel Tell the Tale of WHEN PLAYWRIGHTS KILL

R. Scott Reedy | Boston

After the headline-making 2019 run of his “Tea at Five,” which starred Faye Dunaway, playwright Matthew Lombardo returns to Boston’s Huntington Theatre April 3–18 with his latest effort, “When Playwrights Kill,” a behind-the scenes comedy about an up-and-coming playwright whose Broadway dreams are dashed when his female lead, a famously difficult diva, derails his play’s out-of-town tryout in Boston.

Interviews

Interview: Adam Grant Morrison, Albus Potter in HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD at The Fox Theatre

Joseph Harrison | Atlanta

The magic of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD has officially arrived in Atlanta, with the first-ever touring production now playing at the Fox Theatre as part of the 2025/2026 Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta season, running through March 15. To celebrate this landmark engagement, I caught up with Adam Grant Morrison, who stars as Albus Potter, Harry’s son, in this theatrical continuation of the beloved wizarding world. In our conversation, Morrison reflects on growing up in Atlanta, discovering theatre unexpectedly, stepping into an iconic role he once only dreamed of, and what it means to bring this magical story home to the Fox Theatre stage.

Interview: Eymard Cabling of MISS SAIGON at Short North Stage

Paul Batterson | Columbus

Growing up in Rockville, Md., Eymard Cabling’s fields of study were somewhat limited. Cabling, who will be playing the role of The Engineer in Short North Stage’s upcoming production of the epic MISS SAIGON, thought he had three career choices.

Interview: SoCal's Leianna Weaver Talks Lydia, Ghosts, and BEETLEJUICE

Melissa Heckscher | Los Angeles

Southern California native Leianna Weaver speaks with BroadwayWorld about what it felt like to land the role of Lydia Deetz in BEETLEJUICE, how she relates to the character, and some onstage mishaps (that may or may not have involved fire).

Interview: Theatre Life with David Andrews Rogers

Elliot Lanes | Washington, DC

Today’s subject David Andrews Rogers Is currently living his theatre life and a lifelong dream on the conductor’s podium as the Musical Director and Conductor of the new touring production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. The show begins performances here in DC on March 18th and will play through April 5th at The National Theatre.

Interview: Theatre Life with Suzy Eddie Izzard

Elliot Lanes | Washington, DC

Today’s subject Suzy Eddie Izzard is an award-winning performer, marathon runner, and author. Her tour de force solo show The Tragedy of Hamlet will be seen right here in DC at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) from March 27th to April 11th. The show will be performed in STC’s Klein Theatre.

Reviews

Review: MRS. CHRISTIE at Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park

Caroline Conard | Cincinnati

It’s very seldom these days that an original play check sall the boxes, yet Mrs. Christie manages to do exactly that. A fantastical show with mystery, quirky characters, and deeper themes, Mrs. Christie is sure to have something for everyone!

Review: THE GREAT GATSBY at Broadway at The Hobby Center

Brett Cullum | Houston

The book is full of mysteries, unspoken judgements, and a vicious sense of classism mixed with ruthless self-preservation, and there is not a lot of this present in this interpretation, brought to life by Kait Kerrigan's book, Jason Howland's music, and Fitzgerald-inspired lyrics by Nathan Tysen.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

Jared Fessler | Minneapolis / St. Paul

Water for Elephants has officially set up shop at the Orpheum Theatre, and it honestly doesn’t take long to get swept up in it. From the start, it feels less like you’re sitting in a theatre seat and more like you’ve wandered backstage at a traveling circus that just happens to break into song.

Review: STEREOPHONIC at DPAC

April Sigler | Raleigh

Stereophonic, the most Tony-nominated play of all time and winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Play, offers a compelling fly-on-the-wall look at a 1970s rock band recording their next album. With strong performances and music that feels like a character of its own, the show immerses you in the creative process, even if its scale and runtime occasionally soften the intimacy.

Review: WICKED at Providence Performing Arts Center

Andria Tieman | Rhode Island

One could be forgiven for feeling a little burned out on Wicked these days. After two super-sized movies and a press tour that seemed to last a decade, Wicked-mania feels a bit on the wane. However, there is no substitute for seeing this show live on stage. This show is more relevant than ever, and the current touring cast are exceptional.

Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Hale Centre Theatre

Sydney Naegle | Utah

Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Hale Centre Theatre Mesmerizing and a true Top of the World experience.

Review: SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED at Signature Theatre

Aidan O'Connor | Washington, DC

Nostalgia is a funny thing. It catapults the ordinarily rational into webs of what-ifs and immobilizes presence in the now. But what if you could turn back time to fix that one regret or evaluate outcomes of disparate decisions. Would you do it, or would you choose to accept your past as part of you. Safety Not Guaranteed at Signature Theatre takes that exact journey and winds up in an alt-indie-rock concert with a semblance of sci-fi and human connection. Much like most time machines however, it’s transcendent in theory but lacks flawless execution in reality.

Videos

Photos & Video: First Look at WHITE ROOSTER at Lookingglass Theatre

Chloe Rabinowitz | Chicago

You can now get a first look at photos and video of the world premiere of White Rooster, written and directed by Ensemble Member Matthew C. Yee. The production has revealed an extension of its run.

Video: First Look at 'I Can Hear The Bells' from HAIRSPRAY at Casa Mañana Theatre

Joshua Wright | Dallas

Casa Mañana Theatre is currently presenting HAIRSPRAY, running through March 8. Check out a first look at “I Can Hear the Bells” in the video below.

Video: First Look at THE BODYGUARD at The John W. Engeman Theater

Joshua Wright | Long Island

Watch a first look video of The Bodyguard at The John W. Engeman Theater, running March 12 through April 26, 2026 in Northport, NY.

Photos/Video: First Look at ROMEO AND JULIET at Arden Theatre Company

Nicole Rosky | Philadelphia

Arden Theatre Company has released production photos and video from its staging of ROMEO AND JULIET, William Shakespeare’s tragedy directed by Barrymore Award–winning director Amina Robinson.

Video: KINKY BOOTS Tour First Look

Joshua Wright | Philadelphia

Get a first look at the new non-equity North American Tour of Kinky Boots. Leading the tour is Omari Collins as Lola, Noah Silverman as Charlie Price, Sophia Gunter as Lauren, Jason Daniel Chacon as Don, Emma Dean as Nicola, and John Anker Bow as George

Video: Hale Centre Theatre's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Joshua Wright | Utah

Watch a first look video of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Hale Centre Theatre, running March 9 to April 25, 2026, with full cast details and performance schedule.

Video: Watch 'One Man Wrecking Machine' From Signature Theatre's SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED

Michael Major | Washington, DC

Signature Theatre has shared an exclusive look at the cast of Safety Not Guaranteed performing 'One Man Wrecking Machine.' Watch the video from Ryan Miller and Nick Blaemire's musical now!

Video: First Look at THE CRUCIBLE at Washington National Opera

Joshua Wright | Washington, DC

Watch a first look video of THE CRUCIBLE at Washington National Opera, running March 21–29, 2026, with full cast and creative team details.

Photos

Photos: The Cast of WHEN PLAYWRIGHTS KILL Meets the Press

Bruce Glikas | Boston

The World Premiere production of WHEN PLAYWRIGHTS KILL, a new backstage comedy by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Noah Himmelstein, will be performed in Boston. The cast recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photos here!

Photos: CINDERELLA: A SALSA FAIRY TALE at South Coast Rep

Joshua Wright | Los Angeles

South Coast Repertory presents CINDERELLA: A SALSA FAIRY TALE, a bilingual musical by Karen Zacarias and Deborah Wicks La Puma, running February 20–March 8.

PHOTOS: A CHORUS LINE Manila Cast Meets the Press

Oliver Oliveros | Philippines

See photos from A Chorus Line Manila's press meet! Conrad Ricamora & Lissa deGuzman lead the all-Filipino cast at Samsung Performing Arts Theater, March 2026.

OUTLANDER IN CONCERT: ECHOES THROUGH THE HIGHLANDS Will Play Des Moines Civic Center

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:20:21 PST

“Outlander in Concert: ECHOES THROUGH THE HIGHLANDS” will stop at the Des Moines Civic Center on November 2 at 7:00 p.m. as part of an international tour spanning more than 75 cities across the United States and Europe. The tour will follow a sold-out world premiere in Scotland and arrives as the final season of the television series is airing.

The concert will combine cinematic visuals from all eight seasons of Outlander with a live performance of the score by composer Bear McCreary. The program will include a curated selection of scenes and music developed in collaboration with executive producer and showrunner Matthew B. Roberts, including footage from the eighth and final season.

A live ensemble of musicians and vocalists will perform the score using traditional Scottish instruments such as bagpipes, fiddles, and hurdy-gurdy. The Outlander soundtrack has generated significant global reach, with hundreds of millions of streams across multiple releases.

The television series, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, has expanded into a broader franchise including the prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Ticket Information

Tickets will go on sale April 10 at 10:00 a.m. and may be purchased at DMPA.org, by calling (515) 246-2300, or at the Civic Center Ticket Office in Des Moines.

OUTLANDER IN CONCERT: ECHOES THROUGH THE HIGHLANDS Will Play Des Moines Civic Center

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:20:21 PST

The television series, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, has expanded into a broader franchise including the prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Ticket Information

Tickets will go on sale April 10 at 10:00 a.m. and may be purchased at DMPA.org, by calling (515) 246-2300, or at the Civic Center Ticket Office in Des Moines.

LES MISÉRABLES vs. NEWSIES: Final Round Voting Open For BroadwayWorld's Movie Musical Bracket

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:59:10 PST

Voting is now open for the final round of BroadwayWorld's Annual Bracket! Which film is really the Best Movie Musical of all time? Our editors have selected the options, and now BroadwayWorld invites YOU to join us and our readers in deciding which movie musical deserves the title of The Ultimate Best Movie Musical!

Now in its third year, BroadwayWorld's Bracket brings together our community to debate, defend, and ultimately crown the greatest of them all. In both 2024 and 2025, Les Misérables was voted as the Ultimate Best Musical of all time.

Will the beloved musical be reigning champ again across mediums? Or will the Newsies finally unseat the incumbent champ?

What will win this year's Ultimate Movie Musical Bracket? Vote now!

How To Participate

-Select your pick in each contest round below & submit the form.
-Come back for round each round to see if your selections made it.
-Didn't join the contest in the first round? No problem! Join in any round.

Schedule of Events

Round 1: Starts Tuesday, February 24, 2026 and ends Sunday, March 8, 2026
Round 2: Starts Monday, March 9 and ends Sunday, March 15, 2026
Round 3: Starts Monday, March 16 and ends Sunday, March 22, 2026
Round 4: Starts Monday, March 23 and ends Sunday, March 29, 2026
Round 5: Starts Monday, March 30 and ends Sunday, April 5, 2026
Round 6: Starts Monday, April 6 and ends Sunday, April 12, 2026

Check back daily for live stats to see how your favorite shows are ranking!

BroadwayWorld.com Des Moines Stories

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026

Editor's Picks: Top News Stories

Diane Paulus Will Direct Immersive David Bowie Inspired LIFE ON MARS at American Repertory Theater

Interviews

Interview: Adam Fields of BEETLEJUICE National Tour

Interview: Richard Kind Talks Finally Taking on Edna in The Muny's HAIRSPRAY

Reviews

Videos

Photos

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

How It Works

Weekly Scoring

The Fantasy Forecast

Managing Your Roster

Join the Game

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

This year's cast includes:

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

Two Iowa Students Named Triple Threats at IHSMTA Showcase

Two Iowa Students Named Triple Threats at IHSMTA Showcase

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

Cast Set for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Revival Theatre Company

Hinterland Music Festival to Debut Permanent Outdoor Stage for 2026 Edition

2026 Lineup

THURSDAY, JULY 30

FRIDAY, JULY 31

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2

Review: CINDERELLA at Ballet Des Moines

THE NOTEBOOK North American Tour Adds 26 Cities to 2026-27 Route

2026-2027 Tour Dates:

StageMag Launches Programmable PDF Editor for Digital Theater Programs

About StageMag

About BroadwayWorld

Des Moines Performing Arts Launches HY-VEE SUMMER ARTS SERIES With Free Park Performances

FLIP Fabrique: Summer Break

Polyglot Theatre's Bees

Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid

Storytime Under the Green Umbrella

Dance Fitness with Tony Zika

SOMETHING WONDERFUL: RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN AT THE MANSION Announced By Opera Saratoga

Review: SUFFS at Des Moines Performing Arts

OPERATION MINCEMEAT Reveals 2026-27 Tour Dates and Cities

Operation Mincemeat Tour Dates:

About Operation Mincemeat

MY ÁNTONIA World Premiere Cast Unveiled

TICKETS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT LATTÉ DA

Photos: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Opens Friday At City Circle Theatre Company

RAGTIME Will Launch National Tour in Fall 2027

OH, MARY! Reveals Tour Dates and Cities For 2026-27

Tour Dates

Play Broadway Games Every Day in May and Win a Merch Prize Pack

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Will Come to City Circle Theatre Company in May

Ailey II, Ballet Hispánico, and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE anf More Set for Des Moines Performing Arts

DANCE SERIES

AILEY II | Tuesday, October 27, 2026

BALLET HISPÁNICO NEW YORK | Tuesday, April 27, 2027

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE SPEAKER SERIES

WILD WOLVES OF YELLOWSTONE: EXPLORER Doug Smith | Wednesday, November 4, 2026

THE GHOST OF POMPEII: EXPLORER CAITIE BARRETT | Wednesday, January 27, 2027

CHASING MONARCHS: EXPLORER Jaime Rojo | Thursday, April 29, 2027

PRAIRIE MEADOWS COMEDY SERIES

HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS | October 6-11, 2026

SH!T-FACED SHAKESPEARE®: MACBETH | March 30 - April 4, 2027

ADD-ON

80S KIDS | April 29 – May 1, 2027

PRAIRIE MEADOWS LIVE AT THE TEMPLE CONCERT SERIES

ALYSHA BRILLA | Friday, October 2, 2026

OH HE DEAD | Friday, October 23, 2026

MAMA SAID STRING BAND | Saturday, November 21, 2026

ALEX CUBA | Friday, April 16, 2027

THE BONESHAKERS | Saturday, May 15, 2027

ADD-ON

CLOSE TO YOU: THE MUSIC OF THE CARPENTERS | Saturday, January 23, 2027

ON THE LASH | Saturday, March 20, 2027

TOSCA, OF MICE AND MEN, And KING ROGER Casting Revealed for Des Moines Metro Opera 2026 Festival Season

NEWSIES Unseats LES MISÉRABLES to Win BroadwayWorld's 2026 Ultimate Movie Musical Bracket

CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! Will Come to Des Moines in May

BroadwayWorld My Shows is Now Part of the New & Improved App