Upcoming Shows
A musical event one hundred years in the making, SUFFS brings to life a complicated chapter in the ongoing battle for the right to vote:...
Winner of over 50 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long...
by DC Felton - February 25, 2026
Watching Tony's every year, I always look forward to the performances and seeing what each show decides to showcase. In 2024, I was captivated by the performance of 'The Outsiders' and looked forward to seeing it live. What was that moment? I'll share more on that later, but after seeing the show in...
by DC Felton - February 13, 2026
What did our critOne thing you know for sure going into a Temple Comedy Series show at Des Moines Performing Arts is that you are going to have a good time. It could be a one-person show, a small musical, or even a comedic magic show. So when they announced they were bringing back 'The Naked Magicia...
by DC Felton - February 05, 2026
February is going to be an exciting month for Des Moines Performing Arts, as not one, but two Tony Award winners for best musical make their debut on the Civic Center stage. They are opening the month with a week-long run of the 2023 winner for Best Musical, 'Kimberly Akimbo.' If the lead-up activit...
by DC Felton - January 16, 2026
Every once in a while, a show finds its own path. The US national tour of 'Six' is making its second stop in Des Moines this week at Des Moines Performing Arts, and almost 10 years later, the show still has the same level of excitement it did then....
by DC Felton - December 20, 2025
One of my favorite parts of the Holiday season is seeing classic stories brought to the stage. For many people, their first experience in theatre is a production of “The Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol.” This season, we get the opportunity to add a third story to that growing list. On Tues...
by DC Felton - December 05, 2025
Stories can be one of the most powerful things in the world. We all have different reasons we share a story. Sometimes it's to pass down a lesson we have learned. Other times it's to remind us or someone we know about our story. 'The Notebook: The Musical,' which opened on Tuesday at Des Moines ...
Past Shows
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of “outsiders” battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. This...
Direct from a heralded Off-Broadway run at the SoHo Playhouse, The Divine Sister is an outrageous comic celebration of nearly every Hollywood film involving nuns....
Rain - A Tribute to The Beatles is on tour and hits the Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines, IA, showing from 15 May...
This concert opens with one of Iowa's most celebrated composers - the three-time Grammy-winner Michael Daugherty. His brilliant and fun Red Cape Tango celebrates a...
The Des Moines' Spirit of America season concludes with perhaps the most quintessentially American work; Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story. Please note that this is...
Brush up on your "thee's" and "thou's" and get ready for an hour of off-the-cuff comedy guaranteed to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's...
As Joe Bonamassa has been growing his reputation as one of the world’s greatest guitar players, he has also been evolving into a charismatic blues-rock...
Joe Bonamassa is on tour and hits the Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines, IA, showing for one date only on 3 May 2012!...
"Before Alanis and Jewel, there was a breed of singer/songwriters [that] touched souls in a way few can muster today. Karla stands as a testament...
Memphis - The Musical is on tour and hits the Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines, IA, showing from 24 Apr 2012 to 29...
The concert seems doomed as Silence and Noise invade and attempt to seize control of the orchestra. Only with help from the audience and Music...
Parsons Dance is an internationally renowned contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of dancer/choreographer David Parsons. Parsons Dance is committed to building new audiences...
Joseph Giunta, conducting Joshua Roman, cello Michael DAUGHERTY Red Cape Tango LALO Cello Concerto DVORAK Symphony No. 7 This concert opens with one of Iowa’s...
In this ground-breaking performance of female guitarists (Patty Larkin and two guest artists from the GENDER BENDING STRINGS album). LA GUITARA explores the contribution of...
Pulitzer Prize for Drama – Finalist Tony Award Nominee – Best Play Feel the buzz! In the Next Room or the vibrator play is a...
Moulin Rouge® – The Ballet has been seen by close to 60,000 people across North America and has elicited cheers and ovations. Along with a...
Jim Gaffigan has proven himself a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences, achieving accolades and awards for his stand-up comedy, acting, and...
After 13 years of marriage, writer-actors- and real life married couple Annabelle Gurwitch (“Dinner and a Movie,” Fired!) and Jeff Kahn (“The Ben Stiller Show,”...
Jennifer Frautschi, the Grammy-nominated and Avery Fisher Prize-winning American violinist, makes her Iowa debut collaborating with Joseph Giunta and the Orchestra in Barber's tuneful and...
Featuring a brand new story, Clifford The Big Red Dog LIVE! brings the well-loved characters from Birdwell Island - including Emily Elizabeth, Cleo, T-Bone, Jetta,...
Gabriel Iglesias has been described as unbelievably witty, electrifying and a talented performer who has the ability to consistently deliver a uniquely hilarious comedy experience...
Guy Davis is a legendary, authentic and spell-binding bluesman, with an incredible voice and great sense of humor. Davis fingerpicks his way through the roots...
Sarah Hicks, conducting Manny Laureano, trumpet Jennifer HIGDON Blue Cathedral Alexander ARUTIUNIAN Trumpet Concerto John CORIGLIANO Gazebo Dances BARBER Adagio for Strings COPLAND Billy the...
Comedy XPeriment is Des Moines' premiere long-form improvisation team. Each show is unique to itself as the genesis for the show is based on suggestions...
Peter Yarrow, of legendary trio PETER, PAUL & MARY, has a gift for songwriting that has produced generation spanning hits including "Puff, the Magic Dragon"...
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