Des Moines Community Playhouse Announces the 98th Season - ROCK OF AGES, WEST SIDE STORY and More!

The 98th season of theatre at the Des Moines Community Playhouse is announced!

The Mainstage season is one of the most exciting yet. Take a look!

• ROCK OF AGES Sponsored by Cognizant (July 15-Aug. 7, 2016) Drew is a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit. Sherrie is a small-town girl. Both are in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big. As their rock-and-roll fairy tale unfolds, plans are discovered to turn the infamous Sunset Strip into a mall. Can the gang save the Strip and themselves?
• WEST SIDE STORY Sponsored by The Principal Financial Group (Oct. 7-30, 2016) Romeo and Juliet takes to the streets of New York City, where two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, fight for supremacy. But when a former Jet, Tony, falls in love with Maria, the sister of a Shark, no one can do anything to stop their love. With timeless music from Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story is one of the greatest love stories of all time!
• F. SCOTT FITZGERALD'S THE GREAT GATSBY Sponsored by Edward Jones (Jan. 27-Feb. 12, 2017) Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, takes Long Island newcomer Nick Carraway under his wing into his decadent world of obsession, greed and danger. Gatsby hopes to reunite with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, his true love from a lifetime ago. The glamour of the Jazz Age comes to life in this new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.
• THE NEW MEL BROOKS MUSICAL YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Mar. 17-Apr. 9, 2017) From the creators of The Producers comes this hilarious re-imagining of the classic story. With the help of some friends, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein) succeeds in creating a monster to rival his grandfather's, but not without some hilarious complications.
• STEEL MAGNOLIAS (June 2-18, 2017) Steel Magnolias is the story of six unlikely friends; the concerned Annelle, wise-cracking Truvy, grumpy Ouiser, sweet-toothed Clairee, local social leader M'Lynn and her diabetic daughter Shelby. Their conversations in Truvy's beauty salon bring hilarity, until tragedy strikes and makes them realize their mortality.

Mainstage renewals have been sent. Renew or purchase new online here.

The Kate Goldman Children's Theatre season continues the tradition of favorite stories brought to life on stage. Bring your children and grandchildren, and build memories that will last a lifetime.

• THE BOXCAR CHILDREN Sponsored by Nationwide (Nov. 4-20, 2016) Generations of readers have cherished the adventures of The Boxcar Children and now their stories come to life onstage! Follow orphan siblings Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny as they run away from foster care to make a home for themselves in an abandoned railroad boxcar. Through the rewards and perils of life on the run in the Depression era, they hold to their motto: "We stick together like glue."
• RAMONA QUIMBY Sponsored by Nationwide (Jan. 6-22, 2017) Third grade is NOTHING like Ramona Quimby imagined. Her teacher hates her, her older sister Beezus is a pain, Aunt Bea is going to marry a dork, and her Dad just lost his job. But with the help of her friends, boisterous and independent Ramona takes on life's challenges.
• HOLES Sponsored by Nationwide (Feb. 24-Mar. 12, 2017) Based on the award-winning book by Louis Sachar, Holes tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, who continues his family's curse of bad luck and finds himself at Camp Green Lake, convicted off a crime he didn't commit. But this isn't any ordinary camp; the boys are forced to dig day in and day out in search of historic treasure. Hole by hole, Stanley digs into his past and with the help of his friend Zero, reshapes his destiny.
• FANCY NANCY THE MUSICAL (Apr. 28-May 21, 2017) Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. But when someone else gets picked to be the star mermaid of her first dance recital and she is forced to play a tree, Nancy must learn kindness and find the "fancy flair" in her new role. Adapted from the bestselling book series by Jane O'Connor, Fancy Nancy will warm your hearts with SPARKLE!

We're also pleased to give our subscribers the first opportunity to purchase tickets to our family holiday classic: ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA, Sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Dec. 2-18. Our holiday shows have become popular traditions. This is your opportunity to buy tickets before anyone else, and at our lowest ticket prices.

Kate Goldman Children's Theatre season tickets will be available online in late March. Renewals will be sent at that time as well.

We look forward to seeing you in our audiences this year!

Des Moines Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL (Des Moines Young Artists' Theatre)

23.4% of votes

2. WAITRESS (Des Moines Playhouse)

18.1% of votes

3. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Des Moines Community Playhouse)

16.3% of votes

Vote Now!