101st Season Announcement Party

feb 25, 2019; 5:30 pm-6:30 pm
Performance Times:
5:30 PM Social with cash bar
6:15 PM Season Announcement

It’s the most beloved, precocious, road-tripping, family-loving, happy dancing season ever. The Playhouse’s 101st season includes four musicals, plus drama, comedy, and family shows. Be part of the excitement as the titles are revealed read more

Des Moines Community Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: February 18, 2019
Subject: Des Moines Community Playhouse’s 101st Season Announcement Party
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Community Playhouse has the most beloved, precocious, road-tripping, family-loving, happy dancing season ever. The theatre’s 101st season includes four musicals, plus drama, comedy, and family shows. Be part of the excitement as the titles are revealed at the 2019-20 Season Announcement Party, 5:30-6:30 PM, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. The party is free.

The festivities begin at 5:30 PM with a social hour featuring a cash bar and live music from Francine Griffith. The official announcement of the season line-up by Playhouse artistic director, John Viars, takes place at 6:15 PM.

The Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. 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.

Playhouse season tickets go on sale Mar. 15, 2019, online at dmplayhouse.com and at the Playhouse ticket office.

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Breakfast with Buddy

dec 8 - dec 15, 2018
Performance Times:
7:30 AM & 9:00 AM

Buddy the Elf and Santa Claus are Coming!

Join us for an exciting new holiday experience at the Playhouse! 

Guests will enjoy unlimited pancakes and syrup – and the entertaining pancake grilling, flipping, and tossing – from Chris Cakes. Breakfast includes orange drink and coffee and read more

Sponsored by:

Des Moines Community Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Dec. 15, 2018
Subject: Des Moines Playhouse Hosts Breakfast with Buddy
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents a unique opportunity to interact with the Family Holiday Classic, Elf – The Musical. On Saturday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, the Playhouse is hosting Breakfast with Buddy, a fun morning with Buddy the Elf and Santa Claus.  Tickets are $20 for all ages and can be purchased at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office. Proceeds from Breakfast with Buddy supports Playhouse programming.

Guests will enjoy unlimited pancakes and syrup – and the entertaining pancake grilling, flipping, and tossing – from Chris Cakes. Breakfast also includes orange drink and coffee and a chance to talk with Buddy the Elf and Santa Claus. Guests will also take home Buddy the Elf cookies and a coloring sheet provided by sponsor Fareway Food Stores.

Photos with Buddy the Elf and Santa Claus will be taken by Steve Gibbons Photography. A Breakfast with Buddy ticket includes a digital copy of the photos. Guests are invited to take their own photos at a table featuring prop foods from Buddy’s four food groups, candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup (on spaghetti).

Elf has quickly become a modern Christmas classic. Based on the 2003 film, Elf – The Musical tells the story of Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole. Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making skills soon make him realize he’s not fit to live at the North Pole. He travels to New York City where he learns his dad doesn’t believe in Santa Claus! With song and a little magic, Buddy makes it a sparklejollytwinklejingly Christmas. Elf – The Musical is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. Performances are Nov. 30-Dec. 23, 2018, at 7:00 PM on Fridays and 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available at dmplayhouse.com and by calling 515-277-6261.

The Playhouse, now in its 100th season, is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the U.S. 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 Breakfast with Buddy or to purchase tickets, contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

Breakfast with Buddy: Saturday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018
7:30 AM & 9:00 AM seating times

Breakfast with Buddy Tickets: $20 all ages
To purchase tickets:
dmplayhouse.com
515-277-6261
Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours are Noon-6:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday, plus 2 hours prior to curtain on evenings and weekends.

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Reunion: 20 Years of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

nov 24, 2018; 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Are you one of the more than 800 actors who has been involved in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Playhouse? If so, we want you to help celebrate our 20th production. There are three ways to get involved.

1. When you come see the show this November, read more

Final Act Ensemble: Final Act Ensemble Holiday 2018 Show

dec 18, 2018; 7:00 pm
Performance Times:
7:00 PM in the Kate Goldman Theatre, general admission seating
Run Time:
2 hours including a 10 minute intermission

Celebrate the holidays with old-time radio programs when the Final Act Ensemble presents its annual edition of yuletide jollies from the days when radio was king.

The evening features four segments from vintage radio programs. 

  • Visit with Easy Aces as logic-challenged Jane Ace tries to wangle a mink coat out of her husband. 
  • Take a trip to 79 Wistful Vista where Fibber McGee and Molly get involved in another nutty mix-up that’ll have you laughing.
  • Find out what happens when My Friend Irma causes havoc as she tries to earn extra money for Christmas presents.
  • And you won’t want to miss out on what happens when Father Knows Best sets out to find a Christmas tree and gets stuck in a snowdrift, miles from home on Christmas Eve.

The evening includes read more

Katie Brooks
Shirley Dalby
Al Downey
Ruth Downey
Jerry Eisenhour
Barbara Keck
Molly Ketchum
Melinda Leseney
Hu Lundberg
R.J. Lundgren
Susie McCauley
Mark Pullen
Don Rothweiler
Marsha Szymczuk
Ed Truslow
Phyllis Wolfe
Jerry Eisenhour
Director
Phyllis Wolfe
Music Director

Allied Travel & Viking Cruises Presentation

nov 7, 2018; 6:00 pm

Join us for a reception and special presentation hosted by Allied Travel. Mark Aberman, Viking Cruises, will share authentic experiences that await worldwide, and why river cruising is the fastest growing vacation travel. Space is limited read more

Playhouse Ribbon Cutting

oct 5, 2018; 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

It’s time to celebrate the completion of the major renovation projects. Join us! Ribbon Cutting photo will be taken at noon on the set of Billy Elliot The Musical.

2018 Honoring Playhouse Legends

oct 20, 2018; 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

Begun in 2011, the Playhouse honors those whose talent and devotion to our theatre over a long period of time have helped set the high standards of entertainment, professionalism, and quality that our audiences expect today. Legends understand the read more

2018 Dionysos Awards

oct 14, 2018; 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Theatre:
Special Events

The Dionysos Awards honor volunteers who have worked backstage, front-of-house, and in the education department.

Acting awards were added in 2010. Playhouse audiences nominate actors for acting awards throughout the season, and the winners are chosen read more

Grand Renovation Open House

sep 23, 2018; 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

It’s a Grand Renovation Open House, Sunday, Sept. 23! Stop in any time between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. This event kicks off the theater’s 100th season and is free to the public.

Visitors can tour the entire theatre, interacting with staff and read more

2018 Cloris Awards

aug 26 - aug 26, 2018
Theatre:
Special Events
  Congratulations to our colleagues on their Cloris Awards nominations. Click here for a full list of nominees.  

Playhouse production nominations

  A Chorus Line nominations
  • Best Musical
  • Demarius Fisher Jr (Richie), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Spencer Gilbert (Zach), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Lorena Eclatt (Diana Morales), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Megan Helmers, Best Choreography
  • Virgil Kleinhesselink, Best Lighting Design
  Disney’s The Little Mermaid nominations
  • Best Production, Youth & Family Division
  • Blake Clyde (Sebastian), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Jackie Schmillen (Ursula), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Savannah Trotter, Best Performance by a Rising Star
  • Brenton Brown, Best Music Direction
  • Megan Helmers, Best Choreography
  • Angela Lampe, Best Costume Design
  Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” nominations
  • Best Musical
  • Best Production, Youth & Family Division
  • Best Performance by an Ensemble, Youth & Family Division
  • Allyson Martens, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
  • Katy Merriman, Best Direction
  A Little House Christmas nominations
  • Best Production, Youth & Family Division
  • Best Performance by an Ensemble, Youth & Family Division
  • Kevin Shelby, Best Scenic Design
  Mamma Mia! nomination
  • Kellie Kramer (Donna Sheridan), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
  Meredith Willson’s The Music Man nomination
  • Jack Gabby (Winthrop Paroo), Best Performance by a Rising Starr
  Misery nomination
  • Kimberly Manuel, Best Scenic Design
 

read more