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Final Act Ensemble: Mystery Meets Comedy

Join the Final Act Ensemble (FAE) for old-time fun.

The evening begins with Nancy Marlow, Girl Detective, battling a mad scientist out to destroy the world. Next, Dick Tracy goes to Hollywood for Murder on the Set. Mystery continues as The Frumples bumble their way through the spine-tingling whodunnit of a missing window screen. The evening ends in comedy with Fibber McGee and Molly as they plan to go Camping on Dugan’s Lake (and get into lots of trouble along the way). Throughout the evening are announcers with snappy repartee and great period songs from the FAE Singers along with live sound effects from the company’s resident foley artists.

Mystery Meets Comedy will be presented in the Kate Goldman Theatre.

The Final Act Ensemble is a troupe of performers ages 55 and older that present classic and original radio plays, including commercials and live and recorded sound effects. Click here to learn more about the Final Act Ensemble.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM
Run Time:
2 hours including a 10-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

Company

  • Ann Barfels

  • Shirley Dalby

  • Al Downey

  • Ruth Downey

  • Sue Franck

  • Barb Keck

  • Molly Ketchum

  • Hu Lundberg

  • R.J. Lundgren

  • Susie McCauley

  • Mark Pullen

  • Rick Stageman

  • Marsah Szymczuk

  • Ed Truslow

  • Director

    Jerry Eisenhour

    Director
  • Pianist

    Francine Griffith

    Pianist

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Kill Date: May 23, 2023
Subject: Des Moines Community Playhouse’s Final Act Ensemble Presents Summer Showcase 
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Community Playhouse’s Final Act Ensemble presents Mystery Meets Comedy, a live radio program, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 7:00 PM, in the John Viars Theatre. Tickets are $10 all ages and are available at dmplayhouse.com or by phone at 515.277.6261. 

The evening begins with Nancy Marlow, Girl Detective, battling a mad scientist out to destroy the world. Next, Dick Tracy goes to Hollywood for Murder on the Set. Mystery continues as The Frumples bumble their way through the spine-tingling whodunnit of a missing window screen. The evening ends in comedy with Fibber McGee and Molly as they plan to go Camping on Dugan's Lake (and get into lots of trouble along the way). Throughout the evening are announcers with snappy repartee and great period songs from the FAE Singers song with live sound effects from the company's resident foley artists.

The cast, under the direction of Jerry Eisenhour, features Ann Barfels, Shirley Dalby, Al Downey, Ruth Downey, Sue Frank, Barb Keck, Molly Ketchum, Hu Lundberg, R.J. Lundgren, Susie McCauley, Mark Pullen, Rick Stageman, Marsha Szymczuk, and Ed Truslow. 

The Final Act Ensemble is a troupe of performers ages 55 and older that present classic and original radio plays, including commercials and live and recorded sound effects. In addition to performances at The Playhouse, traveling programs are available for youth, adult, and multi-generational audiences. 

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live 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.

Final Act Ensemble Presents Mystery Meets Comedy: 7:00 PM, May 23, 2023
$10 all ages 
To purchase tickets: dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261 
Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312 

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