DC Felton - Page 6

Have you ever found yourself wrapped up in a rumor, and in the end, wasn't sure what was real or not? Or have you wanted something to happen so badly it feels as though it becomes a reality? This week Des Moines Performing Arts opened 'Anastasia' as part of the 2019-2020 Willis Broadway Series. This beautiful production will take you on a fantastic journey from Russia to Paris, all within the confines of two and a half hours.

Do you believe in fairies? Or have you grown too old for that belief? Maybe a better question is, do you have a friend? Someone who believes in you, especially when you disagree with each other? Des Moines Playhouse's current production of 'Tinker Bell' by Patrick Flynn, uses everyone's favorite fairy to tell a new but familiar story. She takes the audience on a journey that allows them to reflect on what it means to have a friend. Will this production have you believing in fairies, or friendship by the time you leave?

A few years ago, on a cold winters night, Des Moines symphony brought an event to Des Moines that lead to a series of special engagements. This was the launch of the films in concert series that have brought the first two Harry Potter films, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Home Alone to Des Moines accompanied by a full symphony. They continued these events this weekend as they brought a?oeHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabana?? to Des Moines. I attended the opening showing/performance and found the experience to be just as magical as the first movie.

Have you ever gone to a show and thought about how much room there was on a stage? Some shows I go to, it seems like there is hardly any room for the actors to get around, and I leave impressed by all that they were able to do. Now imagine the stage at Des Moines Performing Arts. How many people do you think would be able to fit on that stage. I don't have a number, but I got a good idea last night attending the Des Moines stop of a?oeThe Choir of Mana?? on Wednesday night.

Becoming a teenager can be hard. It can be hard as they transition from wanting to be treated like a kid and wanting to be treated like an adult. These become the formative years where interest starts to form that will impact the career path they decide to go down in their lives. This weekend, Des Moines Young Artists' Theatre is taking us on a journey with a kid who is entering getting ready to become a teenager in 'The Boy at the Edge of Everything' by Finegan Kruckmeyer. This production, which explores how far a kid's imagination can go, plays at the Stoner Theatre through February 23.

It's that time of year in Iowa where we get stuck inside, either due to the cold weather or snow shutting things down. As we get stuck inside, there tends to be one thing missing, laughter. Ankeny Community Theatre is giving us that laughter in their current production of a?oeDon't Dress for Dinnera?? by Marc Camoletti. This production, filled with mixups and mayhem, had the audience in stitches during its opening weekend. If you need a good laugh, this show is just what the doctor ordered.

Looking in the mirror can be hard.  At times we see the best side of us. At other times we see the worst.  One of the things we look at is our weight. We are either too skinny or too fat. It's time that we quit using labels do define who we are.  This is a challenge given to the audience who attend 'Lisa Lampanelli's Losin' It,' which is currently playing at the Temple Theatre as part of Des Moines Performing Arts and Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series. If you haven't been to this production yet, which opened on February 4, then you need to get your tickets ASAP.

In 2017, I decided in preparation for hosting my first Tony Party to listen to the nominees for Best Musical and Revival. Listening to these shows introduced me to 'Come From Away,' which opened at Des Moines Performing Arts on January 28. As I listened to the fantastic music, I fell in love with 'Come From Away.' I knew once the tour opened, I would want to see this show as soon as possible. When I looked at the itinerary of the first year of the national tour, the closest location was Omaha. So A few friends and I went to see the show. From the moment the music started, I was transported to Gander, and before I knew it, the show was over. As soon as I left, I was planning my next trip to Gander, which would be the tour stop in Chicago. I'm so excited that it has finally made its way to Des Moines.

Looking for the light in the dark times we face can be very difficult. In 1942, a girl went into hiding with her family, along with another family, from the Nazi's who had invaded Holland. While in hiding the girl kept a diary of her experience, which after her death would become the most read books in the world. 78 years after starting her diary, her story can be seen on stage in Des Moines Playhouse's beautiful production of a?oeThe Diary of Anne Franka?? which opened this last weekend. Their production comes at just the right time as the day this review comes out, we will be pausing for International Holocaust Memorial Day.

It is that season again in Iowa. No, I'm talking about winter, I'm talking about caucus season. Candidates are coming to the state vying for something a?' one single nomination. Iowa Stage is taking a look at the candidates and the raucous caucus in their first offering of 2020, Robert Jason Ford's newest parody a?oeAdore Us! Line.a?? With the opening weekend already being sold out, this show is one of the hottest tickets in the area and is only here through February 2.

With the cold weather outside, do you long to escape to a warmer place? While you may not be able to escape someplace warm, Tallgrass Theatre Company is taking us to a warmer place in their season-long journey across America. Their current production of a?oeOther Desert Citiesa?? takes us to the sunny city of Palm Springs. Their production, which was delayed by two days due to snow, opened on January 18. This journey to the east coast leaves us with a question about what cost we will go to protect our family.

When you hear of a musical turning 50 years old, many think of shows musicals from the golden age of Broadway. Now we are entering a new era were the blockbuster musicals, that have made Broadway what it is today, start celebrating their 50th anniversary. Des Moines Performing Arts is presenting the 50th-anniversary tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's 'Jesus Christ Superstar' as part of the Willis Broadway Series. If you don't know what the buzz is about with this production, you will once you see the show.

Has being home for winter break given your kids the blues? Are they in need of an adventure? Or do you need an escape? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then Kate Godman Children's Theatre's production of David Woods a?oeJames and the Giant Peacha?? is for you. This journey will take you to Central Park, to London, and back all within the confines of 1 hour and 15 minutes. This magical production will excite children of all ages, and I can't wait to tell you about it.

It's that time of year where everyone is wondering when and If we are going to have a major snowstorm? And if so how much? Now take a moment and imagine there is a blizzard with white out conditions. This is what you hear as you enter into a?oeTheatre Midwesta?? production of a?oeBrilliant Tracesa?? by Cindy Lou Johnson. This two-person production does a beautiful job of finding balance within each of the element, that is a treat to the audience.

Everyone loves a good ghost story. Usually, these stories have been reserved for around a campfire or Halloween. So why would someone tell a ghost story around the holidays? Iowa Stage is telling us this in their production, which opens today 'A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.' While the tradition of 'A Christmas Carol' each year came from the Repertoire Theatre of Iowa, Iowa Stage is continuing the tradition. With the move to a new performance space this season, they have taken a chance on a new version of the story.

What do you get when you cross a classic holiday movie with the Oscar, Tony, and Grammy award-winning team of Pasek and Paul? You get ”A Christmas Story: The Musicalal” playing as this year's holiday classic at Des Moines Playhouse. While this may be the second version of ”A Christmas Story” opening this weekend, this review will not be a comparison of the two.

Opening two productions of a show in one weekend is rare in the Des Moines theatre scene. What makes this weekend special is that two productions based on the classic movie 'A Christmas Story' are opening this weekend. In this review, we are going to focus on the play version presented at Ankeny Community Theatre, which opened on December 6. This productions audiences to remember their favorite Christmas memories and reminisce as they watch this production.

Our records. These tend to be something we keep to ourselves, but Pat Hazell is opening his records up for everyone to see. Des Moines Performing Arts host the World Premiere of 'Pat Hazell's Permanent Record' as the opening of the Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series. This comedic look at the different records that we like Pat Hazell have is only playing for a short time and is the perfect show to kick off your holiday season.

While Thanksgiving may be late this year, we are a little over a month away from the Christmas holiday. Des Moines Performing Arts is jumping into the holiday season. Tuesday evening, they opened the return engagement of 'Irving Berlin's White Christmas,' which runs through Sunday, November 24. Watching this production was like opening a Christmas Card, and I found myself smiling from beginning to end. I am excited to share what made this production fun to watch.

Over the last year, thanks to Broadwayworld, I have had the opportunity to attend shows in multiple theaters in Des Moines and the surrounding communities. With only one writer currently for Broadwayworld Des Moines, I've found myself in a predicament. I auditioned and ended up cast in a show. Before I get too far, I need to say I wanted to audition for and wanted to be part of his show. The puzzle is how do I give a show coverage when I'm involved in it. I can't do a review for multiple reasons. I can't review my work, and it would be awkward to discuss my fellow cast members. As I pondered options, there was one that seemed to stick. I may not be able to tell you how good the show is without you thinking my opinion is biased, but I can tell you the reasons why I think you should go and see this production.