Posted February 28, 2018in Center Stage
Enhancing Des Moines’ next generations through performing arts opportunities Local youth plays and workshops likely won’t be a fast track to stardom, a short cut to a Tony Award, or the building of an adoring fan base. For the increasing number of youthful participants, however, their reasons for involvement define
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Posted January 31, 2018in Center Stage
Floatin’ like a butterfly, stingin’ like a bee Theatre cuts a wide swath when it comes to its purpose and effectiveness. Comedies, musicals and dramas expand into areas of history, society and humanity. A performance hall becomes a safe place for new experiences, to learn, then to take an expanded
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Posted January 03, 2018in Center Stage
Tallgrass Theatre Company produces series A tenacious theatre company continues its steadfast growth, thanks to a solid core of dedicated volunteers, judicious use of resources, and some innovative programming. “Tallgrass Theatre Company was founded in 2002 by me and James Stephenson,” explains Jessie Phillips, the company’s executive director. “Our first
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Posted December 06, 2017in Center Stage
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” Take a big breath as the Des Moines Playhouse prepares you for a deep dive into Ariel’s world with the “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” This year’s holiday show began its run on Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 23. Based on the beloved tale by Hans
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Posted November 01, 2017in Center Stage
Not your grandma’s Tupperware party Few trademark names have the brand identity as Tupperware. This chameleonic icon can be found in cupboards, refrigerators and workshops across America. Burp it, pop it, rim it, drop it — the seemingly indestructible material pressed into a veritable cornucopia of shapes and purposes continues
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Posted October 04, 2017in Center Stage
World premiere at Des Moines Playhouse Through playwright Karen Schaeffer’s productive pen flows a rare wit and a penchant for comedy. She epitomizes the saying, “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” as the Des Moines Playhouse playwright-in-residence prepares for the world premiere of her latest stage work, “Choices.”
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Posted September 06, 2017in Center Stage
Noce Sondheim’s pivotal musical returns for Des Moines audiences Two’s company, as the saying goes. The first show out of the chute for the new creative merger, Iowa Stage Theatre Company, pairs it with “Company,” a bold musical that epitomizes the mission of this new local producer: “Iowa Stage Theatre
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Posted August 02, 2017in Center Stage
Community awards unite, celebrate region’s theater Unfurl the red carpets. Let the spotlights blaze. The 2017 Greater Des Moines Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theater Awards will be presented in the grandeur of Hoyt Sherman Place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. The third annual Cloris Awards recognize the best
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Posted July 05, 2017in Center Stage
The night of the last election, I stayed up reading James Baldwin. His work from the 1960s seemed the best way to grapple with my own moment — and apparently lots of others felt the same. Baldwin has recently enjoyed a resurgence. There’s even a documentary, celebrating his essays, novels
Read More →The biggest takeaway is the brilliance of the lyrics. “The Last Five years” uncorks 15 songs in 90 minutes, all by the Tony-winner Jason Robert Brown, and any one of them can snap your head back with some startling combo of wisecrack and heartbreak. A few even toss in something
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