Des Moines Theater Reviews

BWW Review: LIZ CALLAWAY: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS at Des Moines Playhouse: An Intimate Holiday Concert
by DC Felton - December 16, 2020

This has been a strange year. It started with so many theatrical opportunities in the Des Moines area. Unfortunately that all changed on March 14 when theatres across the state started closing their current shows early and having to cancel the rest of their seasons due to Covid 19. This has led to f...

BWW Review: PLAYHOUSE ON THE AIR PRESENTS: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET at Des Moines Playhouse: Its Beginning to Sound A lot Like Christmas
by DC Felton - December 05, 2020

It’s that time of year again, a time when we gather at our local theatres to see our favorite stories come to life on the stage. While Covid may have impacted if and how we attend productions, Des Moines Playhouse is allowing us to see a show either in person or virtually with their holiday family ...

BWW Review: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - October 21, 2020

One of the surprising parts of this pandemic is that we have been able to take the time to step back and think about what impacts our lives. Sometimes it may be a person, other times it may be an event or show that we attend. Not being able to sit in a theatre the last few months has allowed me to...

BWW Review: I AND YOU at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - October 19, 2020

Theatre takes us on a journey each time we see a show. Sometimes that journey is comical like “Weekend Comedy” which opened last weekend at the is currently running every other weekend. Other times it takes us on an emotional journey, like in “You and I” by Lauren Gunderson, which opened at Des Moin...

BWW Review: WEEKEND COMEDY at Des Moines Playhouse:
by DC Felton - October 14, 2020

On March 14, I had the pleasure to see and review Des Moines Playhouse's fantastic production of 'Singing in the Rain.' What I didn't know at the time, was that the theatre community was getting ready to shut down due to COVID-19, or that the performance I was seeing was going to be the productions ...

BWW Review: RUSALKA at Des Moines Metro Opera and Iowa PBS: A Journey to the Depths of the Sea and Back.
by DC Felton - July 06, 2020

Last week Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) and Iowa Public Broadcasting Service started the 2020 Virtual Opera season with a stunning airing of 'Manon.' The decision to go virtual this season was due to the continuing COVID crisis. They continue their summer season this week with their 2018 production ...

BWW Review: Des Moines' MANON Is a Welcome Journey Taken From Your Own Couch
by DC Felton - June 30, 2020

Opera companies worldwide have found themselves canceling their seasons, including Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO).  The difference with DMMO is that they have had an Emmy winning partnership with Iowa Public Television, now called Iowa Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), coming together to give you th...

BWW Review: LOVE LETTERS at Des Moines Playhouse: A Welcome Journey
by DC Felton - June 12, 2020

Recently, the term intermission has taken on a new meaning in the theatre community.  While we usually use it as a term to signify a break in a show, we have recently modified it to a break in theatre productions due to COVID19. While we may not be able to gather as a theatre community to sit in a t...

BWW Review: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at Des Moines Playhouse: A Show to Catch When the Current Storm Lifts!
by DC Felton - March 20, 2020

As we head out of the winter season and into spring, there is one thing we know is coming, rain. This last weekend Des Moines Playhouse opened their production of 'Singin' In The Rain.' As their production opened this weekend, there was a giant storm cloud in the distance called COVID-19 that caused...

BWW Review: EURYDICE at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola: A New Interpretation on a Classic Story
by DC Felton - March 06, 2020

Loss. It's not easy for anyone to discuss. Everyone deals with loss in different ways. Carousel Theatre of Indianola is exploring the process of dealing with losing a loved one in their current production of Sarah Ruhl's 'Eurydice,' which opens on March 6. While the subject matter may be challeng...

BWW Review: ANASTASIA at Des Moines Performing Arts: A Dazzling Journey To The Past
by DC Felton - February 27, 2020

Have you ever found yourself wrapped up in a rumor, and in the end, wasn't sure what was real or not? Or have you wanted something to happen so badly it feels as though it becomes a reality? This week Des Moines Performing Arts opened 'Anastasia' as part of the 2019-2020 Willis Broadway Series. This...

BWW Review: TINKER BELL at Des Moines Playhouse: Believe in Fairies and Friendship!
by DC Felton - February 23, 2020

Do you believe in fairies? Or have you grown too old for that belief? Maybe a better question is, do you have a friend? Someone who believes in you, especially when you disagree with each other? Des Moines Playhouse's current production of 'Tinker Bell' by Patrick Flynn, uses everyone's favorite ...

BWW Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN: IN CONCERT at Des Moines Performing Arts: A Magical Trip Back to Hogwarts
by DC Felton - February 22, 2020

A few years ago, on a cold winters night, Des Moines symphony brought an event to Des Moines that lead to a series of special engagements. This was the launch of the films in concert series that have brought the first two Harry Potter films, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Home Alone to Des Moines accom...

BWW Review: THE CHOIR OF MAN at Des Moines Performing Arts: Raise Your Glass To An Entertaining Evening of Music
by DC Felton - February 20, 2020

Have you ever gone to a show and thought about how much room there was on a stage? Some shows I go to, it seems like there is hardly any room for the actors to get around, and I leave impressed by all that they were able to do. Now imagine the stage at Des Moines Performing Arts. How many people ...

BWW Review: THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING at Des Moines Young Artists' Theatre: An Imaginative Journey to the Edge and Back
by DC Felton - February 17, 2020

Becoming a teenager can be hard. It can be hard as they transition from wanting to be treated like a kid and wanting to be treated like an adult. These become the formative years where interest starts to form that will impact the career path they decide to go down in their lives. This weekend, Des...

BWW Review: DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER at Ankeny Community Theatre: Hilarity Ensues in the Comedy That is Just What The Doctor Ordere
by DC Felton - February 12, 2020

It's that time of year in Iowa where we get stuck inside, either due to the cold weather or snow shutting things down. As we get stuck inside, there tends to be one thing missing, laughter. Ankeny Community Theatre is giving us that laughter in their current production of a?oeDon't Dress for Dinne...

BWW Review: LISA LAMPANELLI'S LOSIN' IT at Des Moines Performing Arts: An Unforgettable Evening About How We View Ourselves
by DC Felton - February 10, 2020

Looking in the mirror can be hard.  At times we see the best side of us. At other times we see the worst.  One of the things we look at is our weight. We are either too skinny or too fat. It's time that we quit using labels do define who we are.  This is a challenge given to the audience who attend ...

BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY at Des Moines Performing Arts: Going Back to the Rock
by DC Felton - January 29, 2020

In 2017, I decided in preparation for hosting my first Tony Party to listen to the nominees for Best Musical and Revival. Listening to these shows introduced me to 'Come From Away,' which opened at Des Moines Performing Arts on January 28. As I listened to the fantastic music, I fell in love with '...

BWW Review: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Des Moines Playhouse: Letting the Legacy of a Girl's Diary Live on.
by DC Felton - January 27, 2020

Looking for the light in the dark times we face can be very difficult. In 1942, a girl went into hiding with her family, along with another family, from the Nazi's who had invaded Holland. While in hiding the girl kept a diary of her experience, which after her death would become the most read boo...

BWW Review: ADORE US! LINE by Robert John Ford at Iowa Stage: A Heart Warming and Hysterical look at getting 'One Single Nomination'
by DC Felton - January 26, 2020

It is that season again in Iowa. No, I'm talking about winter, I'm talking about caucus season. Candidates are coming to the state vying for something a?' one single nomination. Iowa Stage is taking a look at the candidates and the raucous caucus in their first offering of 2020, Robert Jason Ford's...

BWW Review: OTHER DESERT CITIES at Tallgrass Theatre Company: A Welcome Journey to a Warmer Local
by DC Felton - January 20, 2020

With the cold weather outside, do you long to escape to a warmer place? While you may not be able to escape someplace warm, Tallgrass Theatre Company is taking us to a warmer place in their season-long journey across America. Their current production of a?oeOther Desert Citiesa?? takes us to the sun...

BWW Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Des Moines Performing Arts: Find out 'What's the Buzz' at the Civic Center
by DC Felton - January 15, 2020

When you hear of a musical turning 50 years old, many think of shows musicals from the golden age of Broadway. Now we are entering a new era were the blockbuster musicals, that have made Broadway what it is today, start celebrating their 50th anniversary. Des Moines Performing Arts is presenting the...

BWW Review: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH at Des Moines Playhouse: A Magical Journey Across The Ocean And Back For All Ages
by DC Felton - January 05, 2020

Has being home for winter break given your kids the blues? Are they in need of an adventure? Or do you need an escape? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then Kate Godman Children's Theatre's production of David Woods a?oeJames and the Giant Peacha?? is for you. This journey will tak...

BWW Review: BRILLIANT TRACES at Theatre Midwest: A Treat That Will Keep The Audience Warm
by DC Felton - January 05, 2020

It's that time of year where everyone is wondering when and If we are going to have a major snowstorm? And if so how much? Now take a moment and imagine there is a blizzard with white out conditions. This is what you hear as you enter into a?oeTheatre Midwesta?? production of a?oeBrilliant Traces...

BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Iowa Stage: A New Production Takes to the Stage
by DC Felton - December 14, 2019

Everyone loves a good ghost story. Usually, these stories have been reserved for around a campfire or Halloween. So why would someone tell a ghost story around the holidays? Iowa Stage is telling us this in their production, which opens today 'A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.' While th...