| By
Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Hairspray' presented by The Des
Moines Playhouse
831 42nd St.
Through Aug. 7
http://www.dmplayhouse.com
Loveable, plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad,
has a passion for dancing and wins a spot on
the local TV dance program, "The Corny
Collins Show." Overnight she finds herself
transformed from outsider to teen celebrity.
Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to
vanquish the program's reigning princess, integrate
the television show and find true love while
singing and dancing all without messing up her
hair? Tickets are $20-$35.
The Iowa School of Burlesque
Des Moines Social Club, 400 Walnut St.
Aug. 7, 14, 28 (2 to 5 p.m.)
For more information, email phoenixlamour@gmail.com
The Iowa School of Burlesque is Iowa's premiere
burlesque university under the direction of
headmistress, Phoenix L'Amour, who hosts a monthly
show at Vaudeville Mews called "Burlesque,
Baby!" Classes are taught in the Des Moines
Social Club's Black Box Theater at the Kirkwood
Building, 400 Walnut St. Admission is $15 per
class or $50 for four sessions, with students
learning about burlesque history, costuming,
makeup, choreography, theatrical skill building
and confidence building.
Classes on Aug. 7 include "Burlesque History
101," which introduce the history and origin
of burlesque and its roll in popular culture
as well as organizations, events and people
that are keeping it alive; and, "Burlesque
Costuming 101: Pasties and Tassels," which
highlights basic construction of pasties, including
different methods, materials and ways to construct.
Classes on Aug. 14 include "Burlesque Hair
and Make-up 101: Pin-up Hair and Make-up,"
which offers basic pin-up hair and makeup instruction
and tips; and "Burlesque Dance 101,"
which includes basic instruction of classic
burlesque dance moves like the "bump and
grind," "shimmy" and "twirling"
as well as learning a basic striptease routine
to take home. Classes on Aug. 28 include "Burlesque
Hair and Make-up 101: Stage," highlighting
basic stage hair and makeup instruction, tips
and tricks; and "Burlesque Costuming 101:
Shimmy Belts and Breakaways," which teaches
the different methods and materials used in
the construction of making a shimmy belt and
how to make it into a breakaway.
In October, five students will be accepted as
apprentices to further their education and development
in a six-week session where they will spend
private time with Miss L'Amour to develop a
character, costume and routine which will be
showcased at a monthly revue of "Burlesque,
Baby!" at the Vaudeville Mews. For more
information, contact Phoenix L'Amour at phoenixlamour@gmail.com
or visit the school's Facebook page.
Auditions for ‘Caucus! The Musical'
and ‘Utopia — The Iowa Musical Revue' presented
by Right Brain Productions
Plymouth Congregational Church, 4126 Ingersoll
Ave.
Sunday, Aug. 14
http://www.robertjohnford.com.
Open auditions for "Caucus! The Musical"
and "Utopia — The Iowa Musical Revue,"
two shows by Robert John Ford, will be held
on Sunday, Aug. 14 beginning at 6 p.m. More
than 20 roles (men and women, ages 18-70) are
available, and a stipend is provided for all
cast members. Both musicals will be performed
at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines' Stoner
Theatre throughout the month of December. "Caucus!
The Musical" is an irreverent and hilarious
examination of the Iowa Caucuses and how a wide
array of candidates will do anything to win
the votes of a "typical" Iowa farm
family. "Utopia — The Iowa Musical Revue"
features 16 independent sketches and songs that
celebrate and poke a little fun at the unique
people, places and traditions of the great state
of Iowa. Complete audition information may be
found at robertjohnford.com.
‘Second Annual Iowa Improv Fest'
presented by Comedy XPeriment
The Civic Center's Stoner Theatre, 221 Walnut
St.
Aug. 19 - 20
http://www.facebook.com/ComedyXPeriment
Get ready to laugh as the Second Annual Iowa
Improv Festival takes over the Civic Center's
Stoner Theater. The two-night event features
four Iowa-region improvisation troupes — Comics
In Action, OM NOM NOM, 88 Improv and Comedy
XPeriment — showcasing their talents. Each night,
the four troupes will perform a 25-minute set,
followed by an improv jam where all four troupes
will combine for one final improvisation celebration.
Tickets are $15 or $25 for an all festival pass.
For more information, visit http://www.civiccenter.org
or http://www.facebook.com/ComedyXPeriment.
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