Velveteen, A New Musical
Velveteen, A New Musical places a modern-day spin on The Velveteen Rabbit. The production is part of the 2026-27 Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series presented by Des Moines Performing Arts.
Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines Civic Center is a theatre in Des Moines.
Upcoming Shows
Spamalot
In 2005, Spamalot won the Tony Award for best musical comedy. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film "Monty Python and The Holy Grail," this outrageous parody tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and has been called "The best new musical to open"...
Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE
Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE is the first-ever live touring show starring the beloved Fraggles. The production is part of the 2026-27 Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series presented by Des Moines Performing Arts.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis celebrates more than 40 years of the annual Christmas concert tour, making it the longest running concert tour in the entertainment industry. The show features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound...
The Cat in the Hat - Live on Stage!
Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat Live on Stage! brings laughs, surprises, and a bit of delightful disorder. The production is part of the 2026-27 Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series presented by Des Moines Performing Arts.
Marvel Studios' Black Panther in Concert
Marvel Studios, Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide present a screening of Black Panther electrified by live performances from Hollywood studio musicians, African rhythm masters and powerhouse vocalists. The concert delivers Ludwig Göransson's Oscar and GRAMMY-winning score...
The Phantom of the Opera
Cameron Mackintosh's revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, based on Maria Björnson's brilliant original design. The story follows Christine Daaé, a young soprano whose voice enchants the mysterious masked Phantom who dwells beneath the Paris Opera House...
What Do You Do With a Problem?
What Do You Do With a Problem? is a dance theatre adaptation of the bestselling children's book of the same name. The production is part of the 2026-27 Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series presented by Des Moines Performing Arts.
Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show
Bluey's Big Play brings Australia's favourite family to life in a playful 45-minute performance packed with music, imagination and puppetry. Live on stage, audiences see Bluey, Bingo, Mum (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit) as the kids try to get Dad up and playing instead of relaxing on...
Mamma Mia!
Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s...
Just in Time
Developed and directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge, Beetlejuice), Just in Time brings to life the story of Bobby Darin, the legendary singer whose short but remarkable journey took him from teen idol to global sensation, inspiring generations of performers...
Articles
Review: WICKED at Civic Center Of Greater Des Moines
It's good to see 'Wicked,' isn't it?…
Review: KING ROGER at Des Moines Metro Opera
This season, Des Moines Metro Opera is taking my favorite type of risk and doing an Opera that audiences might not be familiar with in their final, and most ambitious opera of the season, Karol Szymanowski's 'King Roger.'…
Review: OF MICE AND MEN at Des Moines Metro Opera
As America celebrates is 250th birthday, 'Of Mice and Men' celebrates it and the 100th birthday of Carlise Floyd by revisiting this timeless story through a new lense.…
Review: TOSCA at Des Moines Metro Opera
Summer has officially started with Des Moine Metro Opera's phenomenal production of 'Tosca.' Find out about the show and why you shouldn't miss it.…
Review: CINDERELLA at Ballet Des Moines
What did our There is a magic that only happens when seeing a show live. Sometimes it comes from a special effect, and other times from the beauty of telling a story. When that magic happens, it becomes a memory that will last not till midnight, but for a lifetime.…
Review: SUFFS at Des Moines Performing Arts
In a time on Broadway where so many shows are based on familiar IP, it's refreshing to have a new story come to the stage. In 2022, Suffs opened on Broadway at the Public Theatre, and then kept marching to Broadway, and now it is marching across the US.…
Review: MEREDITH WILSON'S 'THE MUSIC MAN' at Des Moines Performing Arts
This weekend, the newest national tour of Meredith Wilson's 'The Music Man' is stopping at Des Moines Performing Arts. Judging from the audience reaction, this production works its magic in a way no anvil salesman will be able to stop.…
Preview: SEASON PREVIEW About Time Theatre
This last season, a new theatre company emerged and made audiences 'squeamish' wih their first production. About Time Theatre Company is back for another season and has recently announced the three productions that will be part of its 2026 season. If the thought and time that went into their first p…
Review: NOTHING HOLDS STILL at Ballet Des Moines
Des Moines has a thriving arts community. One of the amazing organizations that is making this community thrive is Ballet Des Moines. I had the opportunity to attend their performance of “Nothing Holds Still” this last weekend. The show featured world-premiere dances and collaborations with ot…
Review: THE OUTSIDERS at Des Moines Performing Arts
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…
Past Shows
37 total · showing 11–20
Joe Bonamassa
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 star and singer/songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance. His ability to connect with live concert audiences is...
Karla Bonoff
"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 to the ideal that the good ones are indeed ageless." - BILLBOARD. With a career spanning four decades beginning at the age of 15...
Memphis - The Musical
Memphis - The Musical is on tour and hits the Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines, IA, showing from 24 Apr 2012 to 29 Apr 2012. A music-loving mixed-race couple struggles to survive during the early Civil Rights era in Memphis. What happens when a 1950's Memphis DJ with white...
TONIC SOL FA
Although they are simply four voices and a tambourine, Tonic Sol-fa has spent the past decade on the road carving their niche as the nation's top vocal group. In that time, this quartet has been named one of the top five "must see" groups in America, has been awarded numerous...
MUSIC, NOISE, SILENCE
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 will the conductor be able to bring harmony back to the orchestra. Des Moines Symphony with Magic Circle Mime, Co., Joseph Giunta...
Parsons Dance Company
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 for contemporary dance by creating American works of extraordinary artistry that are...
Des Moines Symphony's Masterworks 6: Dvorak & Superman
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 most celebrated composers—the three-time Grammy-winner Michael Daugherty. His brilliant and fun Red Cape Tango...
La Guitara - Gender Blending Strings featuring Patty Larkin
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 women to the evolution of modern guitar. Hear the fresh sounds of the guitar like you've never heard...
IN THE NEXT ROOM or THE VIBRATOR PLAY
Pulitzer Prize for Drama – Finalist Tony Award Nominee – Best Play Feel the buzz! In the Next Room or the vibrator play is a comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity. Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity and based on the bizarre historical fact that...
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Philip Glass’s ORPHÉE Blank Performing Arts Center (7/21-7/21) |
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The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors Des Moines Playhouse (5/07-5/23) |
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Mean Girls Des Moines Playhouse (7/09-7/25) |
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Junie B Jones in Boo… and I Mean It Des Moines Playhouse (11/07-11/29) |
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Britten’s BILLY BUDD Blank Performing Arts Center (7/10-7/10) |
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Offenbach’s THE TALES OF HOFFMANN Blank Performing Arts Center (7/02-7/02) |
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Les Misérables Des Moines Playhouse (4/09-5/02) |
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Britten’s BILLY BUDD Blank Performing Arts Center (7/18-7/18) |
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Broadway At The Adler 2026-27 Season Adler Theatre (1/28-1/28) |
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Amadeus Des Moines Playhouse (6/20-6/20) |
