THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK Set for DM Playhouse's Play Reading Series, 8/4

The Des Moines Community Playhouse play reading series presents Naomi Wallace's "The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek," 7:00 PM, Monday, Aug. 4. The evening is free; beverages will be available for purchase.

"The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek" is as beautiful as it is haunting. A coming-of-age story with a wicked twist, it reaches into the depths of a nation and asks what lies beneath. The story, which unfolds largely in flashback, begins with Dalton, a local boy who once dreamed of going to college, making shadow puppets against the walls of a prison cell. Dalton is suspected of killing his friend, Pace Creagan, a rebellious girl who challenged him to run across the trestle.

"The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek" is directed by Madi Delk. The cast includes Samantha Arneson, Mary Bricker, Jason Rainwater, Charlie Reese, and Cole Rehbein.

Please note there is a special play reading at the Playhouse at 7:00 PM, Monday, July 28: "A Soldier's Play" by Charles Fuller. This reading is produced by the August Wilson Project, is directed by Matthew McIver, and has a cast that includes Pernell Ferguson, Ken-Matt Martin, and Aaron Smith.

The Playhouse play reading series is held one night each month on the stage in the theatre's upper lobby. Actors read from scripts; there are no costumes or scenery pieces. The goal of the play reading series is to offer audiences and volunteers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with upcoming productions, as well as offer insight into new scripts and possible titles to be mounted in the future.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest 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 more information about the Playhouse and the script reading series, contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.