Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: July 27, 2025
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents Waitress
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358
DES MOINES PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS WAITRESS
Theatre collecting items for CFI, selling pies during the show’s run
The Des Moines Playhouse presents the hit Broadway musical Waitress, July 11-27, 2025. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Waitress is sponsored by Oak Park. The performance at 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 20, features free audio description provided by the IRIS Sensation Team. The Playhouse offers closed captioning for those with hearing loss or impairment.
Jenna, a waitress at Joe’s Diner, learns about a pie-baking contest that could change her life and offer the chance she needs to escape her husband. Waitress is one cup courage, two cups uplifting music, and a heaping scoop of friendship. Based on the movie of the same name, composer/lyricist Sarah Bareilles transformed this critical darling into an inspiring and uplifting musical as refreshing as a slice of marshmallow mermaid pie.
Audiences are invited to come to the theatre’s west lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.
The Playhouse cast includes Vivian Armstrong, Tilynne Cartmill, Emily Devick, Chelsea Haaland, Noah Hackbart, Hazel Hartmann, Mark Mangum, Dionysus Lewis Manuel Jr, Andy McKissick, Melina Murrane, Austin Myers, Caitlyn Porter, Alex Schaeffer, Maxwell Schaeffer, Alicia Kodá Scott, Tyler Smith, Grace Smithy, Tanner Tillotson, Kim Wilty, Josh Wing, and Hannah Zepeda. Waitress is directed by Katy Merriman with music direction by Tristan Miedema, choreography by Kent Zimmerman, scenic design by Nicholas Amundson, costume design by Jessica Van Essen, and lighting design by Sam Stephen.
The Playhouse encourages guests to bring toiletry items to be donated to Children & Families of Iowa (CFI). Among its many services, CFI helps those affected by domestic violence through crisis line services, safe shelter, and outreach advocacy. Requested items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, shampoo, cream rinse, hairbrushes, combs, deodorant, band-aids, aloe vera, child-safe bug spray, sunscreen, and feminine hygiene products.
Throughout the run, The Playhouse will be selling award-winning salted caramel apple crumble mini pies by Once Upon an Apple Pie. This local bakery is owned by JoAnn Beeman who won the Waitress Baked from the Heart pie contest in 2017 when the touring show came to Des Moines Performing Arts. Just like Waitress’ protagonist, Jenna, Beeman learned to make pies from her mother and, just like Jenna, winning the contest allowed her to open her own store in Grimes.
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.
Waitress Performances
July 11-27, 2025
7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays
2:00 PM Sundays
The IRIS Sensation Team will provide audio description for the 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 20, performance. The Playhouse offers closed captioning for those with hearing loss or impairment.
Waitress Tickets
Tickets start at $29.00
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours: Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 90 minutes prior curtain on show days
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