Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

Pigeon feels like they don’t get to do anything they want. Then CLANK! HISS! SPLAT! The Bus Driver faces an emergency when they find bird feed in the engine! Will Pigeon prove themself and reach all the bus stops in time to tell the passengers the bus is running late? Pigeon is hilariously brought to life on stage in this new hit family musical written by Mo Willems.

Three ways to see Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

In-person preview was 7:00 PM, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022
Thanks to our sponsor, Nationwide, we were able to offer a limited number of discounted tickets for preview night.

In-person: Jan. 7-30, 2022
4 ADDED SHOWS: 7:00 PM, Thursday, Jan. 20; 7:00 PM, Friday, Jan. 28; 4:00 PM, Saturday, Jan. 29; & 1:00 PM, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022
Please note this show is being presented in the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre and will be sold at full capacity as demand warrants.

Our safety guide has been updated and reflects these main changes.

  1. Masks are required for everyone over the age of 2 regardless of vaccination status for performances of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! Volunteers and guests who do not comply will not be admitted and tickets will be refunded.
  2. The Playhouse will seat at full capacity if demand warrants.
  3. There will be no autographs after the show.

Please note: The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests and as such we are monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines, and restrictions to which we are subject. Based on CDC and state guidelines at the time of your event, protocols may include mask enforcement, social distancing, or more. Volunteers and guests who do not comply with Playhouse policies will not be admitted and guest tickets will be refunded. Click here to download our full safety guide updated Aug. 31, 2021.

 

Recorded performances were 7:00 PM, Friday, Jan. 21; 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, Saturday, Jan. 22; and 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022

Scheduled content is a recording of opening night, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. It will automatically play on the specified days and times. You cannot pause or rewind and can only watch the recording in real-time. When the recording ends, so does your access. Scheduled times are 7:00 PM, Friday, Jan. 21; 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, Saturday, Jan. 22; and 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022.

 

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to download Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! P Bill Jr.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays
School Matinees:
9:30 AM & Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
Run Time:
1 hour, performed without intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse children’s theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.
Download Playbill

Company

  • Actor 4 (2nd Pigeon / Duckling / Bus Engine / Bus / Mom / Puppy)

    Payton Boesch

    Actor 4 (2nd Pigeon / Duckling / Bus Engine / Bus / Mom / Puppy)
  • Actor 5 (City Worker / Teenager / Backup Duckling)

    Madeline Davis

    Actor 5 (City Worker / Teenager / Backup Duckling)
  • Actor 2 (Bus Driver)

    Greg Millar

    Actor 2 (Bus Driver)
  • Actor 3 (Hot Dog Vendor / Business Man / Backup Duckling / Airplane Engine)

    Lou Ramsey

    Actor 3 (Hot Dog Vendor / Business Man / Backup Duckling / Airplane Engine)
  • Actor 1 (Pigeon)

    Brett Spahr

    Actor 1 (Pigeon)
  • Actor 6 (Little Old Lady / Backup Duckling)

    Julianne (JP) Ungs

    Actor 6 (Little Old Lady / Backup Duckling)
  • Director

    Peter Dean

    Director
  • Music Director

    Tina Haase Findlay

    Music Director
  • Choreographer

    Madi Brauer

    Choreographer
  • Scenic Designer

    Katherine Stepanek

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Abby Kilpatrick

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Sara Guerrero

    Properties Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Don Rothweiler

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Jessie Curry

    Stage Manager
  • Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Playhouse Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Greg Millar as the Bus Driver and Brett Spahr as the Pigeon. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Brett Spahr as the Pigeon and Greg Millar as the Bus Driver. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Brett Spahr as the Pigeon and Greg Millar as the Bus Driver. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Brett Spahr as the Pigeon and Greg Millar as the Bus Driver. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Greg Millar as the Bus Driver and Brett Spahr as the Pigeon. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Brett Spahr as the Pigeon. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Greg Millar as the Bus Driver and Brett Spahr as the Pigeon. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Greg Millar as the Bus Driver and Brett Spahr as the Pigeon. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse, features Brett Spahr as the Pigeon and Greg Millar as the Bus Driver. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Jan. 23, 2022
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 27th season, presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Jan. 7-23, 2022. Tickets for in-person performances and video options are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! performed at Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre and is sponsored by Nationwide.

Pigeon feels like he doesn't get to do anything he wants. Then CLANK! HISS! SPLAT! The Bus Driver faces an emergency when he finds bird feed in the engine! Will Pigeon prove himself and reach all the bus stops in time to tell the passengers the bus is running late? Pigeon is hilariously brought to life on stage in this new hit family musical written by Mo Willems.

The Playhouse cast features Payton Boesch, Madeline Davis, Greg Millar, Lou Ramsey, Brett Spahr, and Julianne (JP) Ungs. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is directed by Peter Dean with music direction by Tina Haase Findlay and choreography by Madi Brauer. The design team includes Katherine Stepanek, scenic; Angela Lampe, costume; Abby Kilpatrick, lighting; and Sara Guerrero and Don Rothweiler, properties.

Masks are required for all guests ages 2 and up, regardless of vaccination status, for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! Guests who do not comply will not be admitted and tickets will be refunded. The Playhouse will seat at full capacity if demand warrants. The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests and as such is monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines, and restrictions to which the theatre is subject.

The Playhouse vision, as Iowa's largest producing theatre, is to be a vital part of a collaborative, energized, and engaged community that values art in its culture, particularly because of the contributions of high-quality avocational, educational, and entertaining theatre experiences. 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 up-to-date information and general guidelines, visit The Playhouse website at dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.974.5354.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
Performances: 7:00 PM Fridays, 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays, Jan. 7-23, 2022
Tickets start at $15
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com

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Show Credits

Based on the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Published by Hyperion Books for Children

Script by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz

This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2019-2020 Season.

Don’ Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized materials are also supplied by MRI. www.MTIShows.com

Sponsored by

  • Nationwide