Leaving Iowa

An outlandish take on the classic family road trip, Leaving Iowa is the story of writer Don who returns home to find a final resting place for his father’s ashes. When he discovers his grandmother’s house is now a grocery store, Don travels across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father and son road-trip transitions smoothly between Don’s present predicament and his memories of the torturous but hilarious annual family vacations with Mom, Dad, and Sis. With his father’s help, Don realizes that the journey really is as important as the destination.

Leaving Iowa and Stuart Little will be in repertory, alternating weeks. Leaving Iowa performances are Feb. 19-21, Mar. 4-7, & Mar. 18-21, 2021.

If you are using 2020-21 Flex Four season tickets, credit, a gift certificate, or a Guest Pass for your seats, please click here or call the ticket office at 515.277.6261 to make your reservation. Ticket office hours are Noon-3:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays.

Click here to read our reopening procedures.

Preview Night:

To make theatre accessible to the entire community, The Playhouse offered a free preview night performance, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Donations were accepted. Donations help keep theatre and performing arts in Central Iowa (a)live.

For those not yet ready to come into the theatre:

The Playhouse provided Livestream on opening night, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.
The Playhouse will provide a recording of a live performance as video-on-demand, Mar. 12-14 and Mar. 26-28, 2021. Click here to purchase video-on-demand of Leaving Iowa.

Livestream and Video-on-demand (VOD) guidance:

  • When you order a streaming option, you will receive a link in the Your Confirmation email that comes from djacobson@dmplayhouse.com. (Check your junk/spam folder as it sometimes ends up there.)
  • The stream can be cast to your smart TV if your TV can accept casting. (The newer models do.) Or if you have ROKU or Chromecast, they too can accept your casting.
  • If you purchase VOD, you can watch the video as many times as you want in a 24 hour period from the first time you start the video. Your link can only be used on one device.
  • For both Livestream and VOD, there are three cameras in the house. While there are some varied angles, there are no movie/Hamilton on Disney+ close-ups. This is not a film; it is a recording of a live theatre production.
  • FAQ: Why is video-on-demand only offered for a limited number of days? As with live performances, The Playhouse has to pay royalties on the show.
Performance Times:
7:30 PM Thursdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays; Feb. 19-21, Mar. 4-7, & Mar. 18-21, 2021
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
100 minutes; performed without 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

  • Debra Garner

    Mom

    Debra Garner
  • Elysa Koss

    Multiple Character Actress

    Elysa Koss
  • Gregory Millar

    Dad

    Gregory Millar
  • Josh Sampson

    Multiple Character Actor

    Josh Sampson
  • Sam Sides

    Don

    Sam Sides
  • Hope Walker

    Sis

    Hope Walker
  • Peter Dean

    Director

    Peter Dean
  • David R. Kilpatrick

    Director

    David R. Kilpatrick
  • Alex Snodgrass

    Scenic Charge Artist

    Alex Snodgrass
  • Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer / Properties Designer

    Angela Lampe
  • Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink
  • Jordan Skarin

    Stage Manager

    Jordan Skarin
  • Travis Edrington

    Assistant Stage Manager

    Travis Edrington
  • Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

Photos/Video

  • Leaving Iowa, Feb. 19-Mar. 21, 2021, in repertory with Stuart Little, at The Des Moines Playhouse is for anyone who has ever been on a family road trip and laughed to tell about it. Pictured clockwise from lower left: Debra Garner as Mom, Hope Walker as Sis, Sam Sides as Don, and Greg Millar as Dad. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Leaving Iowa, Feb. 19-Mar. 21, 2021, in repertory with Stuart Little, at The Des Moines Playhouse is for anyone who has ever been on a family road trip and laughed to tell about it. Pictured clockwise from lower left: Debra Garner as Mom, Hope Walker as Sis, Sam Sides as Don, and Greg Millar as Dad. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Leaving Iowa, Feb. 19-Mar. 21, 2021, in repertory with Stuart Little, at The Des Moines Playhouse is for anyone who has ever been on a family road trip and laughed to tell about it. Pictured clockwise from lower left: Debra Garner as Mom, Hope Walker as Sis, Sam Sides as Don, and Greg Millar as Dad. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kill Date: Mar. 21, 2021 Subject: Des Moines Playhouse Presents Leaving Iowa and Stuart Little in repertory Photos available at Leaving Iowa: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/leaving-iowa-2/ Stuart Little: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/stuart-little/ Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing Associate, 515.974.5358 The Des Moines Playhouse follows its successful fall and holiday performances with two shows this winter, Leaving Iowa, Feb. 19-Mar. 21, 2021, and, for families, Stuart Little, Feb. 26-Mar. 14, 2021. Leaving Iowa and Stuart Little in-person performances will be presented in repertory, alternating shows by the week, in the John Viars Theatre. Opening night livestream and two weekends of video-on-demand will also be offered for both shows. Leaving Iowa and Stuart Little are performed without intermission. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com or by phone at 515.277.6261. An outlandish take on the classic family road trip, Leaving Iowa is the story of writer Don who returns home to find a final resting place for his father’s ashes. When he discovers his grandmother’s house is now a grocery store, Don travels across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father and son road-trip transitions smoothly between Don’s present predicament and his memories of the torturous but hilarious annual family vacations with Mom, Dad, and Sis. With his father’s help, Don realizes that the journey really is as important as the destination. The cast, under the direction of Peter Dean and David R. Kilpatrick, features Debra Garner, Elysa Koss, Greg Millar, Josh Sampson, Sam Sides, and Hope Walker. Iowa PBS is media sponsor for Leaving Iowa. For Stuart Little, being a mouse in a house full of humans is an adventure waiting to happen. Stuart has plenty of little mishaps, like getting caught in a window-blind, participating in a boat race, and getting trapped in a garbage can. When his friend, the bird Margalo, disappears, this heroic mouse travels in search of her. It’s a great big world out there, and Stuart is ready to explore it. Stuart Little is based on the book by E.B. White. The cast features Brad D. Church, Julie Howland, Michael Howland, Will C. Johnson, and Lexus Theissen and is directed by Katy Merriman. Stuart Little is presented by Nationwide and media sponsor Iowa PBS. To promote safety, The Playhouse has drawn upon the guidelines suggested by local, state, and federal agencies, experts, and associations. Full safety guidelines are posted on the theatre's website, dmplayhouse.com. Protocols for audiences, volunteers, and staff include:
  • A longstanding policy that asks guests, volunteers, and staff to stay home if feeling unwell. The theatre further requests individuals stay home that have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19 or are awaiting a COVID-19 test result. The Playhouse will refund tickets.
  • Masks are required at all times for all guests, volunteers, and staff.
  • Seating capacity is 35%.
  • Seating is assigned, based upon when tickets were purchased and the size of groups, with at least 6 feet distance between parties.
  • Shows are presented without intermission.
  • Playbills are entirely digital.
  • A limited array of prepackaged concessions is offered with credit/debit cards preferred for contactless payments.
  • Restrooms and elevator are single use so staff can sanitize after each use.
The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a season of shows every year since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. For more information about The Playhouse, Leaving Iowa, and Stuart Little, visit The Playhouse website at www.dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.277.6261. Ticket office hours are Noon-3:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays. Leaving Iowa Performances In-person: 7:30 PM Thursdays-Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays, Feb. 19-21, Mar. 4-7, & Mar. 18-21, 2021 Livestream: 7:30 PM, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 On-Demand: Feb. 26-28 & Mar. 12-14, 2021 Tickets for in-person performances are $29 per person, all ages Livestream and on-demand are $25 per device, one viewing Purchase at dmplayhouse.com Stuart Little Performances In-person: 7:00 PM Fridays & 2:00 PM Saturdays-Sundays, Feb. 26-28 & Mar. 12-14, 2021 Livestream: 7:00 PM, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 On-Demand: Mar. 5-7 & Mar. 19-21, 2021 Tickets for in-person performances are $15 per person, all ages Livestream and on-demand are $15 per device, one viewing Purchase at dmplayhouse.com School matinees are available by contacting Robin Spahr, education director, at 515.974.5365. ###  

Show Credits

By Tim Clue and Spike Manton
Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, IL.

Sponsored by

  • Iowa PBS