Final Act Ensemble: Spring Show

Join the Final Act Ensemble (FAE) for old-time fun this spring as they present four, old-time radio favorites, just right for listenin’ on the front porch after a long day at work.

The show kicks off with “Murder at the Big Top.” Dick Tracy tries to puzzle out why a circus elephant trampled its trainer during an act they’d done dozens of times before. Then Fibber McGee tries to pry out embarrassing information “for the government” during a census, with Molly trying to keep him on track.

After intermission, it’s the popular Easy Aces program. Ditzy Jane Ace tries to trick her unsuspecting husband, Goodman, into signing loan papers. The evening ends with Burns & Allen. Gracie overhears what she thinks is a murder plot against George and desperately tries to find ways, each zanier than the last, to keep George from being offed.

Throughout the evening are announcers with snappy repartee, crazy commercials, great period songs from the FAE Singers, and live sound effects from the company’s resident foley artists.

The Final Act Ensemble is a troupe of performers ages 60 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 intermissoin
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

  • Shirley Dalby

  • Al Downey

  • Ruth Downey

  • Barb Keck

  • Molly Ketchum

  • Elysa Koss

  • Hu Lundberg

  • RJ Lundgren

  • Susie McCauley

  • Mark Pullen

  • Marsha Szymczuk

  • Ed Truslow

  • Accompanist

    Francine Griffith

    Accompanist
  • Director

    Jerry Eisenhour

    Director

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Kill Date: May 20, 2025
Subject: Des Moines Community Playhouse’s Final Act Ensemble Presents Spring 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 20, 2025, 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 “Murder Under the Big Top.” Dick Tracy tries to puzzle out why a circus elephant trampled its trainer during an act they’d done dozens of times before. Then Fibber McGee tries to pry out embarrassing information “for the government” during a census while Molly tries to keep him on track.

After a brief intermission, it’s the popular Easy Aces program. Ditzy Jane Ace tries to trick her unsuspecting husband, Goodman, into signing loan papers. The evening ends with a classic Burns & Allen program. Gracie overhears what she thinks is a murder plot against George and desperately tries to find ways, each zanier than the last, to keep George from being offed.

Throughout the evening are announcers with snappy repartee, crazy commercials, great period songs from the FAE Singers, and live sound effects from the company's resident foley artists.

The cast, under the direction of Jerry Eisenhour, features Shirley Dalby, Al Downey, Ruth Downey, Barb Keck, Molly Ketchum, Elysa Koss, Hu Lundberg, R.J. Lundgren, Susie McCauley, Mark Pullen, Marsha Szymczuk, and Ed Truslow with accompanist Francine Griffith. 

The Final Act Ensemble is a troupe of performers ages 60 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 20, 2025
$10 all ages 
To purchase tickets: dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261 
Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312 

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