The Hundred Dresses

Maddie Reeves has a dilemma. When Wanda, a new classmate who wears the same faded blue dress to school every day, says she has 100 dresses at home, the kids tease her. The bullying gets so bad, Wanda and her family move away. Maddie is wracked with guilt and she soon realizes that allowing her friend Peggy to be a bully can be just as bad as acting that way herself. Wanda is gone, but Maddie gets another chance to stand up to her classmates, making an unlikely friend in the process.

A note regarding derogatory language

The term Polack is used in the play, which is an insulting reference to a person of Polish descent. While The Des Moines Playhouse does not condone the use of this language, it is accurate given the topic, the setting, and the time period of the story and, therefore, is retained for the purpose of being true to the story. 

It is hoped that this language, as well as the attitudes of some of the characters, will inspire conversations about why people behaved and spoke in the ways they did, how things have changed since 1938, and the ways in which we can continue to grow.

 

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 The Hundred Dresses P Bill Jr

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays
School Matinees:
9:30 AM & Noon, Tuesdays, Feb. 28 & Mar. 7, 2023
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
Run Time:
95 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse children’s theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.
Download Playbill

Company

  • Mr. Petronski

    Adam Beilgard

    Mr. Petronski
  • Willie

    Shea Beilgard

    Willie
  • Wanda

    Haddy Dixon

    Wanda
  • Maddie

    Bianca Elliott

    Maddie
  • Shelly Reeves

    Melissa M. Kellar

    Shelly Reeves
  • Jack

    Callen Kleene

    Jack
  • Jacob

    Agatha/Auggie Snyder Maul

    Jacob
  • Peggy

    Julia Neighbors

    Peggy
  • Miss Mason

    Ginnie Padden

    Miss Mason
  • Mr. Svenson

    Mark Pullen

    Mr. Svenson
  • Cecile

    Annie White

    Cecile
  • Director

    David A. VanCleave

    Director
  • Scenic Designer / Lighting Designer

    Amanda Pichler

    Scenic Designer / Lighting Designer
  • Scenic Designer / Lighting Designer

    Max Shrum

    Scenic Designer / Lighting Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Sound Designer

    Chris Powell

    Sound Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Susan Sheriff

    Properties Designer
  • Dialect Coach / Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Dialect Coach / Playhouse Artistic Director
  • Stage Manager

    Jenny Bryant

    Stage Manager
  • Production Intern

    Hudson Pulver

    Production Intern
  • Production Intern

    Isabella Rempe

    Production Intern

Photos/Video

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast (left to right) includes Annie White, Julia Neighbors, Bianca Elliott, and Haddy Dixon. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast (clockwise from top left) includes Julia Neighbors, Annie White, Haddy Dixon, and Bianca Elliott. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast (clockwise from top left) includes Julia Neighbors, Annie White, Callen Kleene, Shea Beilgard, and Haddy Dixon. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast (clockwise from top left) includes Julia Neighbors, Callen Kleene, Annie White, Shea Beilgard, and Haddy Dixon. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast (left to right) includes Shea Beilgard, Annie White, Callen Kleene, Julia Neighbors, and Bianca Elliott. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast (clockwise from bottom left) includes Shea Beilgard, Annie White, Callen Kleene, Julia Neighbors, and Bianca Elliott. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • The Hundred Dresses, based on the Newbery Medal book by Eleanor Estes, deals with being a bully and allowing someone else to be a bully. The Des Moines Playhouse cast includes Mark Pullen and Bianca Elliott. The Hundred Dresses is Feb. 24-Mar. 12 in The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Mar. 12, 2023
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: The Hundred Dresses
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358 

The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 28th season of Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre, presents The Hundred Dresses, Feb. 24-Mar. 12, 2023. Tickets are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. The Hundred Dresses is sponsored by Nationwide.

Maddie Reeves has a dilemma. When Wanda, a new classmate who wears the same faded blue dress to school every day, says she has 100 dresses at home, the kids tease her. The bullying gets so bad, Wanda and her family move away. Maddie is wracked with guilt. She soon realizes that allowing her friend Peggy to be a bully can be just as bad as acting that way herself. Wanda is gone, but Maddie gets another chance to stand up to her classmates, making an unlikely friend in the process.

The Playhouse cast includes Adam Beilgard, Shea Beilgard, Haddy Dixon, Bianca Elliott, Melissa M. Kellar, Callen Kleene, Agatha/Auggie Snyder Maul, Julia Neighbors, Ginnie Padden, Mark Pullen, and Annie White. The Hundred Dresses is directed by David A. VanCleave with scenic and lighting design by Amanda Pichler and Max Shrum, costume design by Jessica Van Essen.

A note regarding derogatory language: The term Polack is used in the play, which is an insulting reference to a person of Polish descent. While The Des Moines Playhouse does not condone the use of this language, it is accurate given the topic, the setting, and the time period of the story and, therefore, is retained for the purpose of being true to the story. It is hoped that this language, as well as the attitudes of some of the characters, will inspire conversations about why people behaved and spoke in the ways they did, how things have changed since 1938, and the ways in which we can continue to grow.

For information on The Hundred Dresses and The Playhouse, visit the theatre’s website at dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.974.5354. 

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. 

The Hundred Dresses
Performances: 7:00 p.m. Fridays, 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, Feb. 24 – Mar. 12, 2023
Tickets: $19 Adults/$14 Students 
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com 

The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations or descriptive services with advance notice. Please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

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Show Credits

By Mary Hall Surface

Based on the book by Eleanor Estes

Presented through special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences