BroadwayWorld.com Des Moines Stories

Tickets Go on Sale Today for GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY National Tour!

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

AEG Live has announced that the southern gothic, supernatural musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, written by Stephen King, with music by John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett, has confirmed a tour of 20 American cities throughout the Midwest and Southeast beginning October 10 in Bloomington, IN, and ending November 6 in Grand Rapids, MI. Tickets go on sale today, May 17 at 10am at aeglive.com.

This extraordinary collaboration, 13 years in the making, is a haunting tale of fraternal love, lust, jealousy and revenge, which will be performed by an ensemble cast of 15 actors and a four-piece live band. The album of the musical will be released on June 4 via Hear Music and the Concord Music Group. Complete tour dates are below.

The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County saga began when Mellencamp told King about a cabin on his land inIndiana where two brothers had gotten in a fight over a girl; one brother accidentally killing the other, only to die along with the girl in a car crash a short time later. King came up with an outline for a play in a matter of days. And then off and on, back and forth, they began to develop it into a full-length musical.

The superb blues 'n' roots music of Ghost Brothers reflects the wide range of styles and influences needed for a work that jumps back and forth across decades. Rather than use the songs to propel the play's narrative, as in a conventional musical, Mellencamp chose to make them a way to reveal the emotions and inner workings of the characters.

Set in the tiny town of Lake Belle Reve, Mississippi, the Ghost Brothers' story centers on two sets of brothers: the ghosts of Jack and Andy, dead in an apparent murder/suicide, and their nephews, the living Frank and Drake, who seem to be headed toward the same downward spiral as their uncles. Joe, younger brother of Jack and Andy, father of Frank and Drake, has decided it's time to reveal his own terrible secret at the site of the tragedy, before it's too late.

As the story emerged during the writing of the musical, it became clear to the collaborators that Ghost Brothers had taken them into unfamiliar territory - and they liked it that way. "John can make rock & roll records and I can write books for the rest of our lives," says King, "but that's the safe way to do it, and that's no way to live if you want to stay creative. We were willing to be educated, and at our age, that's an accomplishment."

Putting King's words and Mellencamp's songs on the stage is in the skilful hands of acclaimed director Susan Booth, who calls the musical a "a kind of new age travelling Medicine Show." "This is a gothic story-driven rock concert," says Booth. "I want the emphasis to be on this fantastic score and our great singers and how the story advances us from song to song. In most musicals, the songs advance the narrative. With Ghost Brothers, the story will advance the songs."

Tickets go on sale today, May 17 at 10am at aeglive.com. The complete Ghost Brothers of Darkland County tour itinerary is below:

October

10 -Bloomington,IN-IndianaUniversityAuditorium

11 -Louisville,KY- Whitney Hall *

12 -Knoxville,KY- Knoxville Civic Auditorium

13 -Asheville,NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium **

16 -Nashville,TN- Ryman Auditorium

17 -Evansville,IN- Aiken Theatre at The Centre

18 -Indianapolis,IN- Clowes Memorial Hall

19 -Akron,OH-AkronCivic Theatre

22 -Columbus,OH- Palace Theatre

24 -Ft. Wayne,IN- Embassy Theatre

25 -Madison,WI- Overture Hall

26 -Rockford,IL-CoronadoPerformingArtsCenter

27 -Appleton,WI- Fox Cities PerformingArtsCenter

29 -Milwaukee,WI- Riverside Theatre ***

31 -Minneapolis,MN- State Theatre

November

1 -Sioux City,IA- Orpheum Theatre

2 -Ames,IA- Stephens Auditorium

3 -Davenport,IA- Adler Theatre

5 -South Bend,IN- Morris Performing Arts Center

6 -Grand Rapids,MI- DeVos Performance Hall

* Louisville onsale Friday, May 31 at 10am
** Asheville onsale Saturday, May 18 at 10am
*** Milwaukee onsale Friday, May 17 at 12 noon

To purchase the Ghost Brothers of Darkland County album, go to:

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/GBODC_iTunes
Amazon Hardcover Edition: http://smarturl.it/gbodcHC
Amazon Deluxe Version: http://smarturl.it/GBODCdeluxe

Listen to Ghost Brothers music and view the trailer at: www.ghostbrothersofdarklandcounty.com. For more, go to stephenking.com.

DM Playhouse Friday Funday Features STONE SOUP Today

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents "Stone Soup," today, May 17. This story is part of the 2012-13 season of Friday Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6. Performances are at The Playhouse, today, May 17, at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 1:30 PM. Shows are approximately 45 minutes in length. Admission is $5 per person, adults and children. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling The Playhouse box office at 515-277-6261.

May's featured story is "Stone Soup." In this story, the selfish villagers do not want to share any of their food. Then, two travelers with one stone show up with a recipe for creating curiosity and a big pot of soup.

Join the Clubhouse at The Playhouse Gang each month, October-June, as they dramatize a favorite story using their imaginations and the costume pieces and props they find in their magic trunk. Audience members learn the Clubhouse pledge and secret handshake, and listen for the word of the day. They even help act out the story.

The last show of the 2012-13 season is a special Friday Funday event, "Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly," June 13-15. In this tale, based on the popular books by Doreen Cronin, the audience takes a look at the world from a bug's perspective.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information on Friday Funday and other Playhouse educational offerings, contact The Playhouse education department at 515-974-5365. For tickets to Friday Funday, contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse Adds SEUSSICAL Performance, 5/18

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:55 PST

The Des Moines Community Playhouse has added a performance of "Seussical TYA" at 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 18. Tickets for this and the originally scheduled performances through May 19 can be purchased at dmplayhouse.com, at The Playhouse box office, and by phone at 515-277-6261.

"Seussical TYA" centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge: Not only must he protect his tiny friend, Jojo, (and all the invisible Whos), from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.

For more information on The Playhouse and "Seussical TYA," contact The Playhouse box office at515-277-6261.

"Seussical TYA" Performances: Apr. 26-May 19, 2013
7:00 PM Friday

1:00 PM Saturday

ADDED SHOW: 4:00 PM Saturday, May 18

1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Sunday (1:00 PM only, Sunday, May 19)

"Seussical TYA" Tickets
Ticket prices begin at $12, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups of 15 or more

To purchase tickets:

dmplayhouse.com

515-277-6261

Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312

DM Playhouse Presents LEND ME A TENOR, Beginning 5/24

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:07:00 PST

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents Ken Ludwig's comedy "Lend Me a Tenor," May 24-June 9. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at The Playhouse ticket office.

It's 1934. The Cleveland Grand Opera Company is presenting a special performance of "Otello." It's the season opener, and the world's greatest tenor, Tito Merelli (known by his adoring fans as "Il Stupendo"), is coming to perform. Merelli (played by Josh Visnapuu) arrives drunk and refuses to attend the show's rehearsal.

As Merelli sleeps, outrageous mix-ups ensue when a series of women seek flings with the famous tenor. The Opera Guild's chairman (Sue Tell) tries to make a move, to the horror of Merelli's jealous wife (Elisabeth Ballstadt). Maggie (Susan Lynn), the daughter of the opera's general manager (Maxwell Schaeffer), hopes for an affair with the tenor. And then there's the "Otello" leading soprano (Andrea Markowski) who, despite her "Never trust a man in tights" warning, thinks an intimate bedroom romp with Merelli would give her an "in" with the New York Metropolitan Opera Company. Caught up in the madness are the general manager's assistant (Michael Tallman) and a bellhop (Mark Maddy).

The twists and turns of this farce-ful plot are filled with mistaken identities and a whole lot of divas.

The New York Daily News said, "Speed, finesse and keen comic chops are key ingredients to any farce. Happily, they're all in ample supply in 'Lend Me a Tenor.'" And the Associated Press wrote of the recent Broadway revival, "The frantic foolishness that fuels 'Lend Me a Tenor' has not diminished in the two decades since the Ken Ludwig comedy's initial New York appearance. If anything, the play's desperation quotient -- a prime ingredient of any farce worth its belly laughs -- has only increased."

The Playhouse production is directed by Kathy Pingel.

The Playhouse will host preshow talks in conjunction with "Lend Me a Tenor." Audiences are encouraged to come to the theatre 30 minutes prior to curtain for a preshow talk with artistic staff.

For more information about The Playhouse and "Lend Me a Tenor," contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

"Lend Me a Tenor" Performances: May 24-June 9, 2013

7:30 PM Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday

2:00 PM Sunday

"Lend Me a Tenor" Tickets

Tickets $29, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups of 15 or more

To purchase tickets:

dmplayhouse.com

Now Playing Onstage in Des Moines - Week of 5/12/2013

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

View All Show Listings for Des Moines
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Des Moines Calendar

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
TULIP FESTIVAL STEERING COMM
5/15-5/18/2013
In the Little Village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.The show features a star turn in Tevye, among the most memorable roles in musical theatre. Original director/choreographer Jerome Robbins' staging is legendary, and available from MTI in a comprehensive choreographic guide. Its celebrated score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, features songs loved the world over: "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man" and "Matchmaker," to name a few. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is simply Broadway at its very best.
Click Here for More Information
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
FT DODGE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL-A'CAPPELLA CHOIR
5/16-5/18/2013
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE is a high-spirited musicalromp that has all of New York dancing the Charleston. It's the zany new1920's musical that has taken Broadway by storm, winning the TONY Award for BEST MUSICAL!Taking place in New York City in 1922, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIEtells the story of young Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to thecity in search of a new life for herself. It's a New York full ofintrigue and jazz - a time when women were entering the workforce andthe rules of love and social behavior were changing forever. Based onthe popular movie, the stage version of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers.Filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon-lady of a villainess audiences will love to hate, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIEis a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment. And with therole of Millie Dillmount, musical theatre has found a new heroine forthe ages in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE!
Click Here for More Information
A FUNNY THING...FORUM
CITY CIRCLE Acting Company OF CORALVILLE
5/10-5/19/2013
Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a non-stop laugh-fest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan named Philia, for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors, and a showgirl or two.This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine--"something for everyone, a comedy tonight!"
Click Here for More Information
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
CHANTICLEER THEATRE
5/10-5/19/2013
Sondheim creates a stunning tour de force when he takes Ingmar Bergman's comedy of manners, Smiles of a Summer Night, and turns it into a musical of masterful execution and elegance. With four Tony Awards, this is a musical work that has forever entranced the world of theatre. Set in 1900 Sweden, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress DesirÃ©e Armfeldt and the men who love her: a lawyer by the name of Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. When the traveling actress performs in Fredrik's town, the estranged lovers' passion rekindles. This strikes a flurry of jealousy and suspicion between DesirÃ©e, Fredrik, Fredrick's wife, Anne, DesirÃ©e's current lover, the Count, and the Count's wife, Charlotte. Both men -- as well as their jealous wives -- agree to join DesirÃ©e and her family for a weekend in the country at DesirÃ©e's mother's estate. With everyone in one place, infinite possibilities of new romances and second chances bring endless surprises.A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is full of hilariously witty and heartbreakingly moving moments of adoration, regret and desire. This dramatic musical celebration of love is perfect to showcase your highly-trained singers with it's harmonically-advanced score and masterful orchestrations.
Click Here for More Information
G2K ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Starlighters II Community Theatre
5/10-5/19/2013
The 'G2K' Getting To Know Series: Uniquely adapted musicals specifically for youth performers. If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,' you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that it may not have been the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of beguiling songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are, you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger actors and audiences, but all the magic, hilarity and fun of the original are still in place. G2K? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is the perfect show to introduce young people to the magic of live theater. PLEASE NOTE: All schools wishing to peruse or perform a G2K musical should apply through theMusic by Mary Rodgers; Book by Jay Thompson & Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer; Lyrics by Marshall Barer; Adapted by Tom Briggs
Click Here for More Information
LES MISERABLES
LAMB Productions
4/26-5/19/2013
This international smash-hit may be the most popular musical in the world. In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert commits suicide, and Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long.Epic, grand and uplifting, LES MISÃ?RABLES packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world. The sung-through pop opera is ideal for a cast of exceptional singers and overflows with melodies that are already standards. A spectacle on Broadway and in London, LES MISÃ?RABLES is equally effective with a minimal set; it is its powerful affirmation of the human spirit that has made LES MISÃ?RABLES a popular masterpiece.
Click Here for More Information
G2K ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Starlighters II Community Theatre
5/10-5/19/2013
The 'G2K' Getting To Know Series: Uniquely adapted musicals specifically for youth performers. If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,' you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that it may not have been the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of beguiling songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are, you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger actors and audiences, but all the magic, hilarity and fun of the original are still in place. G2K? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is the perfect show to introduce young people to the magic of live theater. PLEASE NOTE: All schools wishing to peruse or perform a G2K musical should apply through theMusic by Mary Rodgers; Book by Jay Thompson & Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer; Lyrics by Marshall Barer; Adapted by Tom Briggs
Click Here for More Information
BLACKBIRD
Riverside Theatre
5/5-5/21/2013
Riverside Theatre: - David Harrower.
Click Here for More Information
13
DES MOINES ONSTAGE
5/17-5/26/2013
A grown-up story about growing up!When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done. The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors.With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.
Click Here for More Information
GUYS & DOLLS
WAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL
4/5-6/13/2013
Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy - considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy - soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight "mission doll," out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she's been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiance, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.Everything works out in the end, thanks to the machinations of Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling's hilarious, fast-paced book and Frank Loesser's bright, brassy, immortal score, which takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City. Funny and romantic, GUYS AND DOLLS is ideal for audiences and performers of any age.
Click Here for More Information
DAMN YANKEES
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
4/18-6/13/2013
Faust meets professional baseball in the Broadway classic DAMN YANKEES. Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil, also known as Mr. Applegate, for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young baseball sensation Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life he's left behind. Joe ultimately outsmarts Applegate, returns to his former self, and shepherds the Senators to the World Series.Light, fast-paced and devilishly clever, DAMN YANKEES is a home-run hit featuring all-American subject matter and an irreverent sense of humor. The perfect choice for a high school's spring musical or community theatre production, DAMN YANKEES is sure to please.
Click Here for More Information

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Stephen King, John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett's GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY to Kick Off National Tour, Oct 2013

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:16:25 PST

AEG Live has announced that the southern gothic, supernatural musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, written by Stephen King, with music by John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett, has confirmed a tour of 20 American cities throughout the Midwest and Southeast beginning October 10 in Bloomington, IN, and ending November 6 in Grand Rapids, MI. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 17 at 10am at aeglive.com.

This extraordinary collaboration, 13 years in the making, is a haunting tale of fraternal love, lust, jealousy and revenge, which will be performed by an ensemble cast of 15 actors and a four-piece live band. The album of the musical will be released on June 4 via Hear Music and the Concord Music Group. Complete tour dates are below.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 17 at 10am at aeglive.com. The complete Ghost Brothers of Darkland County tour itinerary is below:

October

10 -Bloomington,IN-IndianaUniversityAuditorium

11 -Louisville,KY- Whitney Hall *

12 -Knoxville,KY- Knoxville Civic Auditorium

13 -Asheville,NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium **

16 -Nashville,TN- Ryman Auditorium

17 -Evansville,IN- Aiken Theatre at The Centre

18 -Indianapolis,IN- Clowes Memorial Hall

19 -Akron,OH-AkronCivic Theatre

22 -Columbus,OH- Palace Theatre

24 -Ft. Wayne,IN- Embassy Theatre

25 -Madison,WI- Overture Hall

26 -Rockford,IL-CoronadoPerformingArtsCenter

27 -Appleton,WI- Fox Cities PerformingArtsCenter

29 -Milwaukee,WI- Riverside Theatre ***

31 -Minneapolis,MN- State Theatre

November

1 -Sioux City,IA- Orpheum Theatre

2 -Ames,IA- Stephens Auditorium

3 -Davenport,IA- Adler Theatre

5 -South Bend,IN- Morris Performing Arts Center

6 -Grand Rapids,MI- DeVos Performance Hall

* Louisville onsale Friday, May 31 at 10am
** Asheville onsale Saturday, May 18 at 10am
*** Milwaukee onsale Friday, May 17 at 12 noon

To purchase the Ghost Brothers of Darkland County album, go to:

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/GBODC_iTunes
Amazon Hardcover Edition: http://smarturl.it/gbodcHC
Amazon Deluxe Version: http://smarturl.it/GBODCdeluxe

Listen to Ghost Brothers music and view the trailer at: www.ghostbrothersofdarklandcounty.com. For more, go to stephenking.com.

BWW Reviews: BROADWAY'S NEXT HIT MUSICAL Should Be Your Next Stop

Mon, 06 May 2013 22:30:15 PST

Des Moines Performing Arts' Temple Comedy Series has done an excellent job of showcasing small comedy and improv troupes this season. Wrapping up the series right now is the improv musical comedy Broadway's Nest Hit Musical running now through May 12th.

It is not easy to review a show that is different every time. Broadway's Next Hit Musical is an improvised musical comedy that is unique every night because the songs are based on song titles suggested by the audience before the show. Four of the songs then serve as inspiration for a song from a musical of the performer's creation. Each of the four performers takes a turn fishing a title out of the bowl and comes up with the storyline and performs the song on the spot. Talk about pressure.

On the evening I attended, the song titles and shows ranged from comments on the unusual spring snowstorm to a futuristic world in which Martians take over Earth. Luckily, the actors are adept enough to take on such peculiar topics. Deb Rabbai opened the night; her song title was "Des Moines Blues." Rabbai, also a co-creator, instantly decided the song Des Moines Blues came from a musical Snow Again, about a Des Moines model whose plane flight to bigger and better things is cancelled because of a freak May snowstorm. Rabbai has quite a set of pipes and was dropping lines that were perfectly timed.

The other performers followed and came up with shows called The Answer is D, None of the Above; Castle on a Cloud; and The Martian Puncher's Lament. After each performer took a turn, the audience voted on which song and show was the biggest success. Snow Again won by a landslide, meaning that all of the actors participated in a fully staged production of the show. And as it turns out, a show about an Iowa model can hinge on the evil ways of a serpent like devil, hilariously played by Rob Schiffman, whose weakness is frigid temperatures.

Bottom line, Broadway's Next Hit Musical is a lot of fun. And as the emcee Greg Triggs pointed out, if you don't enjoy the show there is no one to blame but your fellow audience members. So make up a good song title!

For ticket information visit Des Moines Performing Arts.

Photo courtesy Des Moines Performing Arts.

Now Playing Onstage in Des Moines - Week of 5/05/2013

Sun, 05 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

View All Show Listings for Des Moines
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Des Moines Calendar

CHILDREN OF EDEN
Thomas Jefferson HIGH SCHOOL
5/9-5/11/2013
From Stephen Schwartz and John Caird comes a joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith... not to mention centuries of unresolved family business! Freely based on the story of Genesis, CHILDREN OF EDEN is a frank, heartfelt and often humorous examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children. Adam, Eve, Noah and the "Father" who created them deal with the headstrong, cataclysmic actions of their respective children. The show ultimately delivers a bittersweet but inspiring message: that "the hardest part of love... is letting go."A large cast is needed to take on the story of the Old Testament in this moving, foot-stomping musical. CHILDREN OF EDEN is a wonderful show to perform for children and students.
Click Here for More Information
SEUSSICAL JR
MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL
5/10-5/11/2013
A delight for children to perform, SEUSSICAL is now one of the most-performed shows in America! In this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza, Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (LUCKY STIFF, MY FAVORITE YEAR, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and RAGTIME) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child who gets in trouble for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge--not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!SEUSSICAL JR. is fun for the whole family! Young performers will be excited to portray the characters from the familiar Dr. Seuss fables. This musical provides wonderful creative opportunities in terms of set design, lighting, and costuming.Note: for this version, certain
Click Here for More Information
A FUNNY THING...FORUM
CITY CIRCLE Acting Company OF CORALVILLE
5/10-5/19/2013
Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a non-stop laugh-fest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan named Philia, for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors, and a showgirl or two.This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine--"something for everyone, a comedy tonight!"
Click Here for More Information
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
CHANTICLEER THEATRE
5/10-5/19/2013
Sondheim creates a stunning tour de force when he takes Ingmar Bergman's comedy of manners, Smiles of a Summer Night, and turns it into a musical of masterful execution and elegance. With four Tony Awards, this is a musical work that has forever entranced the world of theatre. Set in 1900 Sweden, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress DesirÃ©e Armfeldt and the men who love her: a lawyer by the name of Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. When the traveling actress performs in Fredrik's town, the estranged lovers' passion rekindles. This strikes a flurry of jealousy and suspicion between DesirÃ©e, Fredrik, Fredrick's wife, Anne, DesirÃ©e's current lover, the Count, and the Count's wife, Charlotte. Both men -- as well as their jealous wives -- agree to join DesirÃ©e and her family for a weekend in the country at DesirÃ©e's mother's estate. With everyone in one place, infinite possibilities of new romances and second chances bring endless surprises.A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is full of hilariously witty and heartbreakingly moving moments of adoration, regret and desire. This dramatic musical celebration of love is perfect to showcase your highly-trained singers with it's harmonically-advanced score and masterful orchestrations.
Click Here for More Information
G2K ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Starlighters II Community Theatre
5/10-5/19/2013
The 'G2K' Getting To Know Series: Uniquely adapted musicals specifically for youth performers. If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,' you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that it may not have been the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of beguiling songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are, you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger actors and audiences, but all the magic, hilarity and fun of the original are still in place. G2K? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is the perfect show to introduce young people to the magic of live theater. PLEASE NOTE: All schools wishing to peruse or perform a G2K musical should apply through theMusic by Mary Rodgers; Book by Jay Thompson & Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer; Lyrics by Marshall Barer; Adapted by Tom Briggs
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LES MISERABLES
LAMB Productions
4/26-5/19/2013
This international smash-hit may be the most popular musical in the world. In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert commits suicide, and Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long.Epic, grand and uplifting, LES MISÃ?RABLES packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world. The sung-through pop opera is ideal for a cast of exceptional singers and overflows with melodies that are already standards. A spectacle on Broadway and in London, LES MISÃ?RABLES is equally effective with a minimal set; it is its powerful affirmation of the human spirit that has made LES MISÃ?RABLES a popular masterpiece.
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G2K ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Starlighters II Community Theatre
5/10-5/19/2013
The 'G2K' Getting To Know Series: Uniquely adapted musicals specifically for youth performers. If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,' you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that it may not have been the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of beguiling songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are, you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger actors and audiences, but all the magic, hilarity and fun of the original are still in place. G2K? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is the perfect show to introduce young people to the magic of live theater. PLEASE NOTE: All schools wishing to peruse or perform a G2K musical should apply through theMusic by Mary Rodgers; Book by Jay Thompson & Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer; Lyrics by Marshall Barer; Adapted by Tom Briggs
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BLACKBIRD
Riverside Theatre
5/5-5/21/2013
Riverside Theatre: - David Harrower.
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GUYS & DOLLS
WAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL
4/5-6/13/2013
Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy - considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy - soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight "mission doll," out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she's been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiance, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.Everything works out in the end, thanks to the machinations of Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling's hilarious, fast-paced book and Frank Loesser's bright, brassy, immortal score, which takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City. Funny and romantic, GUYS AND DOLLS is ideal for audiences and performers of any age.
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DAMN YANKEES
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
4/18-6/13/2013
Faust meets professional baseball in the Broadway classic DAMN YANKEES. Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil, also known as Mr. Applegate, for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young baseball sensation Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life he's left behind. Joe ultimately outsmarts Applegate, returns to his former self, and shepherds the Senators to the World Series.Light, fast-paced and devilishly clever, DAMN YANKEES is a home-run hit featuring all-American subject matter and an irreverent sense of humor. The perfect choice for a high school's spring musical or community theatre production, DAMN YANKEES is sure to please.
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Find Music and Laughter in Des Moines Theaters This May

Sat, 04 May 2013 12:40:42 PST

May is not quite the busy month that April was, but there are some fun shows to look forward to in Des Moines this month.

The Des Moines Playhouse opened Suessical at the very end of April so there are many more opportunities to see it. Suessical revolves around the lovable Dr. Suess character Horton the Elephant as he is tasked with protecting the Whos and guarding an abandoned egg. Can Horton live up to the challenge? To find out you will have to see the show! Performances run through May 19th. For more information visit the Des Moines Playhouse.

You can also get your fill of improvised comedy this month with Broadway's Next Hit Musical at the Temple for Performing Arts. The concept of the show is that the first act involves creating songs based on audience suggestion and the second act is a staging of the musical based on the winning song from act one. Comedy and musical theater lovers alike will find something to cheer for at this show. Performances run May 1 - 12th. For ticket information visit Des Moines Performing Arts.

Despite the slow down, each of these are long run shows so there is no excuse for missing out on music and laughs this month.

DM Playhouse Friday Funday Features STONE SOUP, 5/17

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:28:59 PST

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents "Stone Soup," Friday, May 17. This story is part of the 2012-13 season of Friday Funday, a creative participatory story theatre program for children ages 4-6. Performances are at The Playhouse, Friday, May 17, at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 1:30 PM. Shows are approximately 45 minutes in length. Admission is $5 per person, adults and children. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling The Playhouse box office at 515-277-6261.