Des Moines Theatre Newsroom

On Saturday, July 13, Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) adds a new work to the operatic repertory with the world premiere of American Apollo, a new opera by composer Damien Geter and librettist Lila Palmer.

City Circle Theatre Company will present the rock musical Spring Awakening at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

City Circle Theatre Company will present the rock musical Spring Awakening at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts May 3–5 & 10–12, 2024.

The lineup has been announced for the 2024-25 Willis Broadway Series in Des Moines! The season will include six highly anticipated first-run national Broadway tours, plus the return of some beloved crowd favorites. Learn more about the full lineup here!

On Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 4pm, Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner Justin Austin will return to Des Moines to present an intimate Artist Recital with pianist Allen Perriello at Plymouth Church.

The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts will present international a Capella sensation ACCENT Saturday, April 13 at 7:00 PM.

PILOBOLUS - RE:CREATION will be performed on March 27, 2024 at Des Moines Civic Center.

Hey Des Moines, here she is. A new production of 'Funny Girl' opened on Tuesday evening. When you think of the show 'Funny Girl,' one of the first things you probably think of is the person you saw bringing Fannie Brice to life on stage. For the show to work, you need someone who can deliver an iconic performance. That may be why it took nearly 60 years for the show to be revived on Broadway. Now, just short of 60 years, the revival's national tour is making a stop in Des Moines as part of the Willis Broadway Series. Judging from the audience response, there is a new iconic name that people will consider when thinking of 'Funny Girl.'

Over the years, since Des Moines Performing Arts started bringing productions to the Temple Theatre, there have been a few staple productions. One of those staples centers around Dixie Longate, a woman from Mobile, Alabama, who happens to sell Tupperware. While she has returned multiple times to sell Tupperware, I have not had the opportunity to see one of her performances. That changed this last week when I attended 'Dixie's Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull: and 16 Other Things I Learned while Drinking last Thursday' at the Temple Theatre. This engagement marks this show's second time has been at the Temple Theatre.

One of the great things about the Des Moines Performing Arts Broadway series is that it not only introduces us to new productions in their season, but there are also a few shows you can purchase as an add-on that have stood the test of time. This week, they are bringing the musical 'Les Miserables' back for its 9th engagement since 1989.

Directed by Josh Sazon and with Music Direction by Wes Habley, MOON RIVER: The Songs of Johnny Mercer will feature a 16-piece big band and vocalists for an evening of music straight from the golden age of Hollywood!

City Circle Theatre Company's new traveling branch, Circle's Edge, will present its inaugural production later this month in Coralville. Performances of RED will take place February 23–25 and March 1–3 at Brush and Barrel, located in the Clock Tower Plaza. John Logan's RED is a two-actor performance of intense storytelling. Set in the workshop of the American painter Mark Rothko, Circle's Edge brings this psychological drama to life in an intimate performance space seating only 35 audience members.

When Des Moines Performing Arts announces its new season, there is always a show or two I can't help but get excited about. This year, one of those shows for me was 'Company,' which is now playing through February 11.

City Circle Theatre Company presents the Corridor’s most talented performers in a Broadway concert like no other. Join in this celebration of the master of the modern musical, Stephen Sondheim. 

After a cold start to the year, the fever to be able to vacation is already starting to set in. “ABBA” fever has hit Des Moines this last year. It started with concerts with the Des Moines Symphony and is continuing this week. On Tuesday night, the 25th anniversary tour of “Mamma Mia” opened at Des Moines Performing Arts for a week-long run. With the singing and dancing that came from the stage and the audience, how can you resist a trip to Donna’s Taverna and seeing “Mamma Mia?'

Havana Hop comes to Des Moines Performing Arts this month. The performance is on January 27, 2024 at the Temple Theater.

FINDING NEMO JR. comes to Des Moines next month. Performances run February 9 - 18, 2024 at the Stoner Theater.

Paddling With Polar Bears comes to Des Moines Civic Center this month. The event is set for January 30, 2024.

Winners have been announced for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! See who was selected audience favorite in Des Moines! Winners include Des Moines Playhouse, Iowa State University, and more!

Funny Girl comes to Des Moines in 2024. The performances will run March 12 - 17, 2024 at Des Moines Civic Center. Learn more about the musical and find out how to get tickets here!

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

It’s been almost 40 years since the last time “The Wiz” was on Broadway, and the show is currently starting to “Ease on Down the Road” and going on a pre-Broadway national tour. While it’s not scheduled to open on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre until March 29, 2024, you can see it through December 17 at Des Moines Performing Arts.  If the reaction from the audience is any indication of how it will be received on Broadway, then the show, like Dorothy, is on a journey that will lead them… “Home.”

City Circle Theatre Company presents the closing weekend of Disney & Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS December 15–17 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. See photos of the production.

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!