CMT's LEAVING IOWA Opens 5/18

Remember the childhood vacations you tried to forget? Prepare to relive the memories amidst gales of laughter with Leaving Iowa, the cleverly-fashioned comedy about family vacations by Tim Clue & Spike Manton. Leaving Iowa runs Wednesday, May 18 through Sunday, May 29 at Canyon Moon Theatre.

"A comedy with a surprisingly deep soul. Highly recommended." Chicago Sun-Times. Both side-splittingly funny and heartwarmingly sentimental, Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found themselves driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of their youth. When Don Browning finally decides to take his father's ashes to his childhood home, he discovers that Grandma's house is now a grocery store. He soon sets out on an unforgettable journey to find the best resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood.

A combination of new and old faces take the stage in Leaving Iowa. Canyon Moon veteran, Jeff Masters (Don) was featured in several hit shows at CMT from Maybe Baby, It's You to Proof, The Lion in Winter and The Compleat Works of Wm Shakespear (Abridged).

Brad Roberts has played in over a dozen murder mysteries with Canyon Moon. His other appearances for CMT include the butler in The Importance of Being Ernest and the hilarious Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night. In Leaving Iowa, Brad plays 13 different characters from a Kansas hog farmer to a mysterious man with a hoe.

Michelle Lambeau (Mom) first appeared at Canyon Moon in March of 2010 as Dorothy in Glorious! She played the role of Nell in the acclaimed premier of Marrano Justice this past September.
Ben Tyler (Dad) is doing his first show for Canyon Moon. A native Arizonan, Ben has worked for many years as an actor, director, producer and playwright. Ben was the co-founder of the Mill Avenue Theatre in Tempe where he directed and co-wrote Guv: The Musical, a review of Arizona politics. Ben is the Executive Director of the newly formed Centennial Theatre Foundation, an Arizona designated legacy project for the 2012 centennial. The foundation funds new plays about Arizona and its people.

Ritza Elizabeth hails from New York and has propelled herself across America doing a comedy and storytelling showcase. She has performed on popular stages throughout New England and also has independent film experience. She plays several roles throughout the show.

Leaving Iowa plays Wednesdays through Sundays, May 18 date through May 29, tickets are $19. Full-time student tickets are $11. To purchase tickets or for information, call CMT at 928-282-6212. Tickets are also available at Rycus' Corners and Marketplace Café in the VOC and at Basha's in West Sedona. Wednesday through Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances are at 3:00 p.m. Canyon Moon Theatre is located in the Oak Creek Factory Outlets, next to Village Pet Supply and Grooming on Highway 179 in the Village of Oak Creek.