Des Moines Playhouse 2012-13 Season to Include RENT, SUNSET BOULEVARD

The Des Moines Community Playhouse opens its 94th season with two Broadway musicals, "Rent" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard." These are two of the 11 shows comprising the 2012-13 Playhouse season. Playhouse season tickets are currently on sale online at dmplayhouse.com, at the Playhouse box office, and by phone at 515-277-6261.

The 2012-13 Playhouse Mainstage season presents two musicals in addition to the summer 2012 production of "Rent": "Sunset Boulevard" and "9 to 5: The Musical," both based on films of the same names. Rounding out the Mainstage season are the new comedy "Becky's New Car," "Completeness," a Playhouse find straight from New York, and a revival of the popular comedy "Lend Me a Tenor." 

The 2012-13 Kate Goldman Children's Theatre season continues its page-to-stage tradition of plays adapted from bestselling books with "A Little House Christmas" and "Seussical the Musical," plus a new show, "There's a Monster Under the Bed." A fourth show will be announced at a later date. School matinees are offered in addition to public performances of all children's theatre shows.

The Playhouse will present another family musical in December: "The Wizard of Oz."

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

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

 

2012-13 Playhouse Season

Rent

July 13-Aug. 5, 2012

Set in NYC's East Village of New York City, "Rent" is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

 

Sunset Boulevard

Sept. 7-30, 2012

A tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Silent movie star Norma Desmond longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by the advent of talkies. When she meets struggling Hollywood screenwriter Joe Gillis, their passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion.

 

Becky's New Car

Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 2012

Becky Foster is caught in middle age, middle management, and a middling marriage with no prospects for change. Then one night a socially inept and grief-struck millionaire stumbles into the car dealership where Becky works. Becky is offered nothing short of a new life. 

 

A Little House Christmas

Nov. 9-Dec. 2, 2013

The Ingalls are hosting some of their friends and relatives for a pre-Christmas dinner when a sudden storm threatens to cut off access to the town from which most of the guests have come. It ends on Christmas Day, when Mr. Edwards arrives after going to town to find Santa Claus who was unable to visit because of the storm. Based on the series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 

The Wizard of Oz

Dec. 7-30, 2012

Dorothy Gale of Kansas dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her over the rainbow to another world. This musical version of the movie.

 

There's a Monster Under the Bed

Jan. 11-27, 2013

Ben has a BIG problem. His Mum is acting grumpy, his best friend Vince has stolen his precious binoculars, and his Dad is far, far away. Oh, and there's a monster under the bed. But when Ben swaps places with the under-bed monster, Ben's life - and his school - is turned inside out, and upside down.

 

Completeness

Feb. 1-17, 2013

How does a computer scientist hook up with a molecular biologist? He blinds her with science, of course. When Elliot builds a computer program to help Molly with her research project, the variables in their evolving relationship shift as rapidly as the terms of their experiment. 

 

Family show to be announced

Mar. 1-17, 2013

 

9 to 5: The Musical

Mar. 22-Apr. 21, 2013

A hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. "9 to 5: The Musical" tells the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there's nothing they can't do, even in a man's world. Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, "9 to 5" is about teaming up and taking care of business; about getting credit and getting even.

 

Seussical the Musical

Apr. 26-May 19, 2013

"Seussical" centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge: Not only must he protect his tiny friend, Jojo, (and all the invisible Whos), from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. 

 

Lend Me a Tenor

May 24-June 9, 2013

It's Cleveland Grand Opera Company's gala season opener. World famous tenor Tito Morelli is to perform Otello, but when he finally arrives, he's drunk. Through a hilarious series of mishaps, with two Otellos in costume and two women en dishabille, the farce spins out of control onstage and off.