Des Moines Theater Reviews

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...

Review: THE CROWN LIVE! at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 28, 2022

In just a few weeks, Netflix will have people streaming the newest season of 'The Crown.' The show has always been popular, but with the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth, it has had a resurgence leading up to season 5. So it's no surprise a parody of the show has popped up, and you have the chance ...

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 27, 2022

One of the things I've grown to appreciate about Des Moines Performing Arts is their willingness to bring revivals as part of the Willis Broadway Series. Their commitment to revivals has brought some of my favorite productions over the last few seasons. What is so great about revivals is many times,...

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola
by DC Felton - October 24, 2022

We all long for friendship, and they get us through some of the most challenging times in our lives. Carousel Theatre of Indianola explores the relationships we build with our friends through their revival production of Robert Harling's 'Steel Magnolias.' ...

Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 08, 2022

After announcing it as part of its 2019-2020 season, Des Moines Performing Arts is finally able to bring another of its pre- covid shows to the stage. This time is the return of the raunchy but amusing 'The Book of Mormon.' In its fourth stop on its new tour, the show took to the Civic Center stage ...

Review: BORROWED BEATS at Ankeny Community Theatre: A World Premiere Takes the Stage
by DC Felton - October 06, 2022

WEvery so often, a partnership in theatre can produce some fantastic results. One of those partnerships can be seen between Ankeny Community Theatre and playwright Tommy Lee Johnston. Last season they included two of his shows, 'Geezers' and 'Aura.' Over the season, Tommy Lee Johnston came to see bo...

Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - September 25, 2022

Everyone has a memory of the first musical they were in or saw. For me, it was either 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella,' if i remember correctly, at a local high school. For others, their first memories with musical theatre come through local productions of 'Guys and Dolls.' Des Moines Playhous...

Review: SWEAT at Iowa Stage: A Story that was going to be told in 2020, is just as timely two and a half years later.
by DC Felton - September 23, 2022

Before the Pandemic, one of the shows I was looking forward to seeing was Iowa Stage's production of 'Sweat' by Lynn Nottage. At that time, the excitement for me was being able to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning play. I didn't realize how powerful and impactful the play would be for me. I didn't realiz...

Review: Preview of Upcoming AMERICAN APOLLO Brings Des Moines Metro Opera Season to a Fine End
by DC Felton - August 17, 2022

Des Moines Metro Opera recently brought its 50th Anniversary season to a close, and they saved a special treat for their audiences. For the 2024 season, they are commissioning a full-length opera of AMERICAN APOLLO. As a treat to those in attendance this season, they offered the opportunity to see t...

Review: A THOUSAND ACRES by Kristin Kuster and Mark Campbell Makes a Stunning World Premiere at Des Moines Metro Opera
by DC Felton - August 08, 2022

When an organization reaches a milestone like 50 years, it can be easy to look back at everything that brought you to that milestone. While Des Moines Metro Opera's productions of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and PORGY AND BESS do that, they are also looking at the future with the world premiere produ...

Review: MY FAIR LADY at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - August 07, 2022

In March 2020, just a few weeks before 'My Fair Lady' was supposed to play at Des Moines Performing Arts, the Covid 19 pandemic hit Iowa, causing the Des Moines leg of the tour to be postponed. After an almost two-and-a-half-year delay, the show has finally made its way to the Civic Center Stage. Af...

Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Des Moines Metro Opera
by DC Felton - July 13, 2022

Starting a theatre company is no easy feat, but for a theatre to be around for 50 years is something worth celebrating. You can celebrate 50 years with Des Moines Metro Opera this summer, which just opened up its 50th season with two spectacular productions. The season opened up a sold-out run of Th...

BWW Review: CALENDAR GIRLS at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - June 08, 2022

What did our critic think of Calendar Girls at Des Monies Playhouse? The people in our lives have a significant impact on us, and sometimes we don’t know their impact on us until they are gone. How we reflect on them can sometimes lead us to do extraordinary things. “Calendar Girls,” which opened on...

BWW Review: CRY IT OUT at Ankeny Community Theatre
by DC Felton - June 07, 2022

What did our critic think of Cry it Out at Ankeny Community Theatre? Over the last few years of doing reviews, I've had the pleasure of seeing some true gems in our theatre community that are just outside of Des Moines. While these theatres may not have the budget of some of the Des Moines theatres,...

BWW Review: HAMILTON at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - May 22, 2022

One of the great things about theatre is the stories it allows us to tell. It doesn't seem like it would work when you first hear the story 'Hamilton' and how it is being told. The show has proved that wrong since 2015 since it took New York and then the country by storm. When it first came to Des M...

BWW Review: TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS at Tallgrass Theatre Company
by DC Felton - May 10, 2022

Some of the best moments are when a small decision significantly impacts our lives. One of the great parts of being in theatre is how it can tap into those small decisions and deliver a show that can touch on the impact of those decisions. Tallgrass Theatre Company's production of 'Tiny Beautiful Th...

BWW Review: GIRL'S WEEKEND 2: THE BACHELORETTE PARTY at Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - May 08, 2022

With theatre coming back, one of the most exciting parts is seeing new shows hit the stage that were developed entirely or in part during the pandemic. Seeing a new play even more exciting is when a local playwright writes it. So when Iowa Stage announced they would be doing the world premiere of 'G...

BWW Review: PIPPI LONGSTOCKING at Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
by DC Felton - April 30, 2022

Growing up, one of my favorite movies to rent from our local library was about a strong girl named Pippi Longstocking, which was short for Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Efraim's Daughter Longstocking. So when Des Moines Playhouse announced it would be part of their 2021-2022 season,...

BWW Review: AURA at Ankeny Community Theatre
by DC Felton - April 04, 2022

Stories can be told in many ways. Sometimes they are told verbally from person to person. Other times, such as in a show, they can be told in the pieces of set being used or through other technical elements. Ankeny Community Theatre is stretching its storytelling muscles with its current production ...

BWW Review: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - April 02, 2022

On March 14, 2020, after only two performances, Des Moines Playhouse made the difficult decision to postpone their spring production of “Singin’ In the Rain.” At the time, they didn’t realize that COVID-19 would force them to cancel their show. I was fortunate enough to attend the second performance...

BWW Review: LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO THE NIGHT at Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - March 30, 2022

As actors, designers, directors, we can't help but find a little of ourselves in the work we do. It's what makes theatre so special. We open our hearts for people to see, live. Now imagine, if you will, that you are a playwright. Imagine writing something so personal that you refuse to have it publi...