Posted March 06, 2019in Center Stage
A creative and cultural incubator for the region’s top theatrical talent. This columnist believes in the power of importing new ideas, inspiration and collaborators to better build a strong Greater Des Moines community. One group that has exceled in this is Pyramid Theatre Company. Founded by Arkansas native and Drake
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Posted February 06, 2019in Center Stage
The show’s DNA explains its award-winning success. The holidays are behind us, and February continues the ramping up of indoors offerings so Central Iowans can experience the unique thrills of live theatre arts. Six-time Tony Winner graces Civic Center stage “Dear Evan Hansen” opens Feb. 5 for a week, part
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Posted January 02, 2019in Center Stage
Savor the wonderful nuances, modern relevance and lyrical wit imbued in “Ordinary Days” at the Rex Mathes auditorium. Mentioning musical theater to someone often evokes images of lavish costuming, intricate production numbers filling the stage and rafter-rattling musical numbers. The past few decades have ushered in a counter-appeal to the
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Posted December 05, 2018in Center Stage
Delicious cultural consumption opportunities While America’s marketing machine ramps up into full force not days or weeks but months before the holiday gift-giving season, regional theatres will offer wonderful escapes for us to consider. Live performances are sprinkled on the calendar like candy confectionary on sugar cookies, giving us delicious
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Posted October 31, 2018in Center Stage
“Triple Espresso” is a regular part of central Iowa’s cultural landscape since its original, record-setting run in 2002. Having experienced this laugh-filled show many times, I can’t recall a single scene where cups of caffeinated beverages took center stage. Like its namesake, however, “Triple Espresso” is an experience to be
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Posted October 03, 2018in Center Stage
Two musicals open in Greater Des Moines with much fanfare. From an English mining town to 1907 Coney Island, two musicals open in Greater Des Moines with much fanfare. The Des Moines Community Playhouse christens its new performing hall with an ambitious show, “Billy Elliott The Musical.” Des Moines Performing
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Posted September 05, 2018in Center Stage
A beguilingly misleading title It’s challenging to find new themes when it comes to creating a Broadway musical. “Fun Home” achieves that status, delivering a breathtaking experience based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel, brilliantly adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori. Winner of five 2015 Tony Awards, this new
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Posted August 01, 2018in Center Stage
Cloris Leachman embraces her namesake awards. Each August, a celebratory event unites the Greater Des Moines theater scene. The final Sunday marks the Greater Des Moines Cloris Leachman Awards for Theatre Excellence, now in its fourth year. Inspired by the pinnacle of theater recognition, the Tony Awards, the Cloris Awards
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Posted July 04, 2018in Center Stage
Three big musicals rule the stages this season What do a Greek island, a high school and an archaic girls basketball game share? They are the settings for musicals, those magical, out-of-reality performing arts works where actors spontaneously burst into song and dance. Over the next several weeks, beat the
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Posted June 06, 2018in Center Stage
Des Moines Metro Opera prepares for another stellar summer rep season Perhaps the most difficult ticket to get this summer won’t be for a pop concert or sporting event. It will be to the prime performing nights for the 2018 internationally acclaimed Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) season. Patrons travel
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