Des Moines Theatre Newsroom Page 3

What did our critic think of RUHave you heard what's going on in Indianola? Not only has Carousel announced their new season, more on that at the end of this review, but they opened their latest production to a sold-out audience on March 10. The show that had a sold-out opening night is Neil Simon's 'Rumors.' If the laughter from the sold-out audience on opening night is any indication, then this is the perfect show to lift the audience out of the wintertime blues as we head into spring.MORS at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola?

Des Moines Performing Arts has announced the 2023-24 Willis Broadway Series! Now's your chance to experience an unforgettable season of highly anticipated Broadway national tours including a few fan-favorites returning to the Des Moines Civic Center!

Our words are powerful; they can tear people down and quickly build people up. This is a lesson that kids of all ages, at times, need to be reminded of. This last weekend, Des Moines Playhouse opened 'The Hundred Dresses' as part of the Kate Goldman Children's Series. This production envelops the entire audience in more ways than one.

Revival Theatre Company presents Million Dollar Quartet opening March 1-5 at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Johnny Cash is played by Jackson Baker, Elvis Presley is played by Jacob Barton, Carl Perkins is played by Nathan Burke and Jerry Lee Lewis is played by Garrett Forrestal. The role of Dyanne is played by Amy Friedl Stoner and Sam Phillips is played by Tad Paulson.

FEMININE WILES BURLESQUE REVUE comes to Des Moines Performing Arts this weekend. The performance is set for February 24, 2023 at 7pm.

In 2017, a show opened in London. Over the next few years, its popularity would grow, leading to a small US tour before getting ready to open on Broadway. The show was already building hype, but days before it opened, Covid 19 caused its opening to be delayed, producing even more buzz for the show. It now has two tours going simultaneously across the US. That show is 'SIX: The Musical,' which opened Tuesday at Des Moines Civic Center as part of the Des Moines Performing Arts Willis Broadway Series. As I considered how to review this show, I decided to give you 'SIX' reasons to see 'Six: The Musical.'

Conflict. It's something that can be challenging for anyone. Imagine that conflict centers around your child or a family member. Tallgrass Theatre Company's production of 'God of Carnage' by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, asks us, an audience, to do just that. This play is the 8th Dream Project that Tallgrass Theatre has produced, and the program keeps getting stronger each year.

In 2019 I attended my first two Pyramid Theatre shows. Immediately, I was drawn to the work the company was producing. So in 2020, I was heartbroken when Covid forced them to cancel their season. Coming into 2021, I was thrilled to find out they were partnering with Des Moines Playhouse to produce “A Love Offering.”  It was the first live production I saw coming out of the shutdown. This production was just the start of a beautiful partnership that brought a workshop production of “Buffalo Women” and now August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” which opened on February 3. If this production is any indication of what the partnership of these two theatre companies can do, then I hope it continues far past this season.

What did our critic think of A CHORUS LINE at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL? A Chorus Line, Michael Bennett's iconic love letter to performers on the line anywhere, opened last night at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. How do I write about this show which holds a special place in my heart? During the late '70s and '80s, I saw ACL 13 times at the Auditorium, Shubert and Blackstone theaters. I was lucky to see Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Lupone and Tony Teague in lead roles. Director Jane Lanier has preserved Michael's vision from 1975 including original choreography by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian and book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. Jane, I (and countless others) cannot thank you enough. There were a few updates which were subtle and worked perfectly. The costumes designed by Sarah Cubbage and Heather C. Jackson were done with nuance from Theoni V. Aldredge's original Broadway design. Andrew Boyce's recreation of the mirrors was breathtaking. Lighting has been a special part of ACL and Julie Mack's design was awe inspiring. Christopher Sargent conducting the orchestra brought to life once again Marvin Hamlisch's toe tapping, humming and singing along score and Edward Kleban's lyrics.

Everyone has a playlist. It may be of your favorite artist or genre. Now imagine this playlist being performed live, with a little twist. If that sounds fun to you, and you a big fan of show tunes, then there is a show playing at the Temple of the Performing Arts that you can't miss. On Tuesday, January 31, Des Moines Performing Arts brought 'Forbidden Broadway' as part of the Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series. Based on the laughter from the audience on opening night, you won't want to miss out on this show.

Cocktail Hour: The Show, by New York City-based Ballets with a Twist, will make its Iowa debut at Burlington Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, April 12, at 7:30pm. This pop-infused performing arts experience brings the Manhattan, Martini, Bloody Mary, and more to life with an innovative mix of charismatic choreography, toe-tapping music, and glamorous costume design. You've never seen cocktails like these!

City Circle Theatre Company presents The Secret Garden - In Concert February 10, 11, & 12, 2023 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 PM and the Sunday matinee is at 2 PM.

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

The Mitten comes to Des Moines Playhouse next month. This is part of a series of Interactive Theatre Shows for Children Ages 4-6. The production is great for preschools, child care centers, kindergarten classes, and families.

Kinky Boots comes to Des Moines Playhouse this spring! Performances run March 17 - April 2.

August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson comes to Des Moines Playhouse next month, a co-production with Pyramid Theatre Company.

The Mitten comes to Des Moines Playhouse next month. This is part of a series of Interactive Theatre Shows for Children Ages 4-6. The production is great for preschools, child care centers, kindergarten classes, and families

Go, Dog. Go! Comes to Des Moines Playhouse next year. Performances run January 6-22, 2023.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

One of everyone's favorite stories is coming to the stage at the Des Moines Playhouse to remind us that 'Impossible things are happening every day.' Everyone has memories of 'Cinderella,' whether it be the classic Disney movie or one of the many tv airings of 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.' On December 2, Des Moines Playhouse opened their Family Holiday Classic production of 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.' This production has everything audiences could hope for and a little more.

What did our critic think ofIn 2006, I was introduced to a charming musical when I had the opportunity to be in a production at the college I attended. When Ankeny Community theatre announced their 2022/2023 season, I was ecstatic to see it would be included as part of their season. That delightful musical is 'She Loves Me.' Over the last few years, this musical has gained popularity with a revival on Broadway, including a live-streamed performance later shown on PBS as part of the Great Performances series. I can't think of a more fitting show with the holidays coming up. SHE LOVES ME at Ankeny Community Theatre?

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Des Moines Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Big dogs and little dogs. Dogs on bikes and dogs wearing hats. Where are they going fast in those cars? PD Eastman's classic children's book comes to life on stage like a pop-up book that never stops.

Nibble, nibble like a mouse, who’s that nibbling on my house? Hansel and Gretel are lost in the woods, looking for a Christmas tree to decorate their tiny house, when they come upon a delicious confectionary candy cottage. They just want to taste a little bit and go home, but Ginger the silly witch has other ideas.