Des Moines Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 6

BWW Review: SOUVENIR at Noce: A Show Worth Revisiting
by DC Felton - October 16, 2019

Theatre companies always hope a show will do well, but every so often a show comes that exceeds their expectations, and eventually, they bring the show back. For Noce, known for bringing the best jazz artist to Des Moines, their show is a play ironically called a?oeSouvenira?? which is returning to ...

BWW Review: A DOLL'S HOUSE: PART 2 at Iowa Stage: Opening the Door to A New Look at Familiar Characters
by DC Felton - October 05, 2019

Revisiting the past can be difficult. Sometimes it's addressing an issue that has come up, while at other times it can be about coming to terms with events or actions from our past. In a?oeA Doll's House: Part 2a??, one of theatres most well know heroine's is doing just that. While a?oeA Doll's Hous...

BWW Review: MOM'S GIFT at Ankeny Community Theatre: A Beautifully Wrapped Evening of Entertainment
by DC Felton - September 30, 2019

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if one of your family members that have passed on could come back and talk with you? What would they say? Ankeny Community Theatres production of a?oeMom's Gift,a?? which opened this weekend, asked the audience that very questions. The comedic and heartfe...

BWW Review: A DOLL'S HOUSE at Iowa Stage: Opening a New Season with a Slam!
by DC Felton - September 29, 2019

In 1879, a door slam was heard around the world when Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House' concluded for the first time. While the play is known for its ending, Iowa Stage is using it to open two new beginning for them, the beginning of a new season, and the beginning of a new location. I feel that this a...

BWW Review: LOST GIRL at Des Moines Young Artist Theatre: A Journey of Growing Up
by DC Felton - September 22, 2019

Growing up can be hard. We try to do everything we can to stop it. We try to change our appearance or even hold on to a memory. What makes it difficult, is when they are memories we don't want to, or can't let go of. Kimberly Belflower's 'Lost Girl,' currently playing at Des Moines Young Artists' Th...

BWW Review: A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Des Moines Playhouse: A Killer Evening of Theatre
by DC Felton - September 12, 2019

Imagine finding out you have been living poor your whole life, only to find out you are part of the wealthiest family in your area. How far would you go to get your hands on part of that money? a?oeA Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder,a?? the first presentation of this season at Des Moines Playh...

BWW Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Ankeny Community Theatre: A Fun Trip Back In Time
by DC Felton - August 05, 2019

While Ankeny Community Theatre (ACT) may be closing their 2018-2019 season, they are also opening the 2019-2020 Des Moines Theatre season. To pull this off you need a show that transcends time, as well as instantly recognizable.   They've tackled this challenge by staging William Shakespeare's “A Mi...

BWW Review: 13 THE MUSICAL at Des Moines Young Artist Theatre: There is Nothing Awkward Abut This Amazing Production
by DC Felton - July 29, 2019

Becoming a teenager is a moment kids look up to. Growing up, we see teenagers as grown-up and cool, but we find out when we turn 13, that is all wrong. Des Moines Young Artist Theatre production of a?oe13,a?? with a book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, ex...

BWW Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola: A Jewel in the Middle of Indianola's Busiest.
by DC Felton - July 27, 2019

What a week it has been for the city of Indianola. Des Moines Metro Opera closed their 2019 season, RAGBRAI has been through town, the county fair has started, and we are preparing for the National Balloon Classic. Yet there is another event in town that people will soon be talking about. Carousel...

BWW Review: PRIVATE PASSAGE at Kingsman Row Entertainment in Association with Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - July 25, 2019

One of the great things theatre can do is start a conversation on topics that may not be the most comfortable to talk about. Sometimes it prompts a conversation, and other times it leaves you to ponder what your thoughts are on an issue. In Iowa Stage's and Kingman Row Entertainment's joint produc...

BWW Review: ANNIE at Urbandale Community Theatre: This Production Will Leave You 'Fully Dressed' With A Smile
by DC Felton - July 20, 2019

Everyone can remember the first time they saw Annie. Maybe it was on stage, or maybe it is one of 3 film/tv versions that have come out. No matter when you first saw it, it probably became one of those shows that stays with you for a long time. The show's optimistic message is one that has stood the...

BWW Review: NEWSIES at Des Moines Playhouse: A New Generation is Giving Audiences Something to Believe in.
by DC Felton - July 14, 2019

A new generation is taking over the Des Moines Playhouse! I'm not talking about a new artistic director, or the close of their 100th season. This generation can be seen on stage in DMP's production of Disney's 'Newsies: The Musical' which opened this weekend. I say a new generation because half, ...

BWW Review: WOZZECK at Des Moines Metro Opera: A Thought Provoking Work of Art
by DC Felton - July 07, 2019

Every so often, a production comes around that leaves you pondering about the show when it is done. For me, it's usually a jarring show that asks the audience to think about how we see things in the world, and if the way we see things can be adjusted or not. Des Moines Metro Opera's (DMMO) product...

BWW Review: CANDIDE at Des Moines Metro Opera: A Beautiful Kaleidoscope That Makes the Best of all Possible Shows
by DC Felton - July 01, 2019

Some people think everything happens in life for a reason. Others choose to relish all the great parts of life while others drown in the despair of the horrible things that happen in the world. Whatever your philosophy on life is, one thing you would never expect is to see that philosophy come to ...

BWW Review: LA BOHEME at Des Moines Metro Opera: A Breathtaking, Beautiful and Tragic Production
by DC Felton - July 01, 2019

In 2002, I was indirectly introduced to La Boheme. My introduction came when I was introduced to a musical that had come out and became a phenomenon on Broadway just 6 years earlier. The show quickly became a favorite musical of mine and showed me the impact that theatre can have on people. Since th...

BWW Review: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Des Moines Performing Arts, An Evening of Theatre That Goes Right!
by DC Felton - June 26, 2019

If you are coming to read a review of The Cornley University Drama Society production for The Murder at Haversham Manor,' this is the wrong review. If you've heard of this theatre company, then it is probably because you've seen a show called, 'The Play That Goes Wrong,' which is playing at the Civ...

BWW Review: MACBETH at Iowa Stage: The Joy of Seeing Shakespeare Performed Outside
by DC Felton - June 15, 2019

Having Shakespeare done outside is something that is not new to Des Moines and the surrounding area. These productions have been thrilling for both the audience and people involved in the show. Getting to participate in a few outdoor Shakespeare productions was one of my favorite memories of colle...

BWW Review: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Ankeny Community Theatre: A Diary That We Must Never Forget
by DC Felton - June 10, 2019

As we remember the 75th anniversary of D-day, it is important to remember why D-Day was so important. When the allied forces invaded France, it was a turning point in World War II. When a little girl in hiding found out about the invasion, she had hope that she would one day be able to come out of ...

BWW Review: HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED at Pyramid Theatre: An Evening of Reflection
by DC Felton - June 09, 2019

Have you ever taken the time to look back at the people who have influenced your life? What has those influences taught us? They teach us what to do and what not to do. Pyramid Theatre's production of "How I Learned What I Learned," which opened on June 8, ask us to do just that. But they ask in ...

BWW Review: STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE: IN CONCERT at Des Moines Symphony: A Galaxy Far, Far Away comes to Iowa!
by DC Felton - June 08, 2019

Over the last few years, the Des Moines Symphony has done an amazing job of starting and growing a pops series. About a year and a half ago, the brought in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: In Concert. It was originally slated for two evening performances and had to be extended to a third pe...

BWW Review: TOO HEAVY FOR YOUR POCKET at Pyramid Theatre: Looking Towards a Better Future
by DC Felton - June 08, 2019

As the theatre season starts coming to an end, I find myself reflecting on the amazing stories I have been able to see told on stage and the amazing theatre companies that are telling these stories. Going into the summer, there are a few theatre companies who tend to tell their stories exclusively d...

BWW Review: IOWA HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS at Des Moines Performing Arts: Theatre Inspires!
by DC Felton - June 04, 2019

Coming into downtown Des Moines on June 3, I saw a parade of students in black heading towards the heart of downtown. Where were these students going? They were heading to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines for the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards Showcase. An event that brings talented s...

BWW Review: SILENT SKY at Des Moines Playhouse: Keep Looking Up
by DC Felton - June 01, 2019

Growing up, I was fascinated with space. I loved looking up and learning about the stars. I still find myself occasionally looking up at the beauty of the stars. Watching Lauren Gunderson's 'Silent Sky' at the Des Moines Playhouse, reminded me of that fascination I had as a kid. The show did that by...

BWW Review: SEASON FINALE: WEST SIDE STORY at Des Moines Symphony: A Beautiful Evening of Storytelling
by DC Felton - May 20, 2019

The season finale for the Des Moines Symphony is always a bittersweet concert. Going into it, there is the joy of seeing the amount of time some of the symphony members have been involved, which this year included a musician celebrating their 50th season. It was also heartwarming seeing Maestro Jose...

BWW Review: Brian Stokes Mitchell and Megan Hilty in Concert at Des Moines Symphony: A Night I Will Always Remember
by DC Felton - May 12, 2019

Over the last 5 years, Des Moines Symphony and Des Moines Performing Arts have come together to present a concert with one of Broadway's brightest stars. It has become a yearly tradition for me as well. Some of the past concerts have included Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Kristin Chenoweth, and Les...