Des Moines Theater Reviews

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - March 15, 2024

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 icon...

Review: DIXIE'S NEVER WEAR A TUBE TOP WHILE RIDING A MECHANICAL BULL at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - March 04, 2024

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 sel...

Review: LES MISERABLES at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - March 02, 2024

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' ...

Review: COMPANY at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - February 07, 2024

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. ...

Review: MAMMA MIA! at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - January 25, 2024

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 ...

Review: THE WIZ at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - December 15, 2023

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 ...

Review: BEETLEJUICE at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 05, 2023

All you gotta do is say his name three times, and he will appear on the Civic Center stage. 'Beetlejuice: The Musical' has been summoned to Des Moines Performing Arts as the finale of the 2022-2023 Willis Broadway Series. You may be asking if 'Beetlejuice' is the perfect start to your spooky season....

Review: DEAR EVEN HANSEN at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - June 07, 2023

Dear Broadwayworld Reader. This week is going to be a good week. That is because 'Dear Evan Hansen' is back in Des Moines through June 11. In 2019, Des Moines Performing Arts brought the first national tour of 'Dear Evan Hansen' early in its run. So it's fitting that it is returning to Des Moines th...

Review: TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - May 18, 2023

What did our Some artists are remembered for being one-hit wonders, while others are known for producing hit after hit. In either case, we are left with the legacy of their music. When you think of Tina Turner, you think of all the hit songs she is known for. The legacy her music still has can be se...

Review: A BRIGHT NEW BOISE at Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - May 14, 2023

Every once and a while, when a new season is announced, I find a show in the lineup that I can help but anticipate seeing. For me, that happened when Iowa Stage announced they would be doing 'A Bright New Boise' as part of their 2023 season. It wasn't a show I was familiar with, but it was a plot I ...

Review: Alice Childress' TROUBLE IN MIND At Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - April 06, 2023

In 1957 after a 91-performance Off-Broadway run, a Broadway transfer was planned for Alice Childress' 'Trouble in Mind.' The transfer was halted when Childress refused to soften the themes of racism in the play. Had it premiered, it would have been the first play by an African American female. That ...

Review: THE LION KING at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - April 03, 2023

September 14, 2021, is a day I will never forget.  After an 18-month break due to Covid, Broadway reopened.  Something special happened that morning.  On Good Morning America, there was a special performance from 'The Lion King' that had the cast in places around New York City, awakening the city an...

Review: KINKY BOOTS at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - March 26, 2023

Everybody say yeah! It's that time of year when multiple productions start opening after spending the colder winter months inside. For the spring, Des Moines Playhouse has opened its production of "Kinky Boots." While the musical is fun and had the audience on their feet at the end, the show's messa...

Review: 1776 at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - March 16, 2023

In March 0f 2020, Des Moines Performing Arts announced it was bringing the musical '1776' as part of its 2020/2021 Broadway Series. At the time, the production was billed as a pre-Broadway run. What we didn't know at the time was that it would be almost three years before the show was finally able t...

Review: RUMORS at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola
by DC Felton - March 16, 2023

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...

Review: THE HUNDRED DRESSES at Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
by DC Felton - March 03, 2023

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 en...

Review: SIX: THE MUSICAL at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - February 11, 2023

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. ...

Review: GOD OF CARNAGE at Tallgrass Theatre Company
by DC Felton - February 10, 2023

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 ...

Review: AUGUST WILSONS'S THE PIANO LESSON at Des Moines Playhouse and Pyramid Theatre Company
by DC Felton - February 07, 2023

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 “...

Review: FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: THE NEXT GENERATION at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - February 03, 2023

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, Jan...

Review: RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - December 11, 2022

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.' ...

Review: SHE LOVES ME at Ankeny Community Theatre
by DC Felton - December 09, 2022

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 ...

Review: COME FROM AWAY at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - November 24, 2022

In 2012 a little musical that could started its trek to Broadway. After a successful 2012 workshop at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, this show went to La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Its journey continued with stops at the Ford Theatre in Washington DC and the Royal Alexand...

Review: MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Tallgrass Theatre Company
by DC Felton - November 15, 2022

As the holiday season gets closer, theatres start bringing some of our favorite stories to the stage. That is no different for Tallgrass Theatre Company, which is offering a new take on a classic tale this holiday season....

Review: HARRIET THE SPY at Kate Goldman Children's Series at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - November 03, 2022

Things are not always as they appear. As we grow older, we learn different ways to seek the truth. One thing we don't have to think about to worry about how they appear are shows that are part of the Kate Goldman's Children's Theatre series at Des Moines Playhouse. This last weekend they opened thei...