Posted May 04, 2022in Center Stage
With an allure that still resonates from its sold-out run at Des Moines Performing Arts in 2018, “Hamilton” returns, expanding from that initial week-long stay to present this Broadway hit for three weeks beginning May 17. It has won Tony, Grammy and Olivier awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and
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Posted April 06, 2022in Center Stage
Guinness will have to confirm, but few, if any, playwrights have experienced three world premieres in the span of nine months. Iowa has one such creative of lofty stature: Karen Schaeffer. Her “Temporary Insanity” was produced by Bellevue Little Theatre in Omaha last June. It was nominated in seven categories
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Posted March 02, 2022in Center Stage
The forecast calls for occasional rain, sprinkled with lots of song and dance. Definitely something to sing about. This month’s offerings include the eagerly anticipated return of the pandemically thwarted “Singin’ in the Rain” at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Add a diversity of live performances for the month, ranging
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Posted February 02, 2022in Center Stage
How can a talented actor whose arrogance ultimately gets him blacklisted continue to pursue his dream career? That premise will be musically explored when Des Moines audiences prepare for the whirlwind new musical “Tootsie,” scheduled to grace the Des Moines Performing Arts Civic Center stage for a week run beginning
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Posted January 05, 2022in Center Stage
Puppets take center stage in the live theater scene in January. From a singing feathered critter to golden TV icons, appealing characters anchor a fun month, launching a new — and eagerly anticipated — year of performing arts in central Iowa. Broadway returns to the Des Moines Performing Arts venue
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Posted December 01, 2021in Center Stage
The glow of holiday arts has never felt more vibrant. Last year, the world of live arts experienced a pandemic-caused paucity of performances. Producing companies eagerly prepared a month of shows to feast upon. Classic shows take center stage The Des Moines Community Playhouse renews its holiday show big musical
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Posted November 03, 2021in Center Stage
It’s a piece of cake. Iowa Stage Theatre Company has developed a wonderful recipe for performance success over the years. With a dash of classics, some flavoring with occasional musicals, and bold spicing with modern classics and new works, this company has found its niche in central Iowa’s theatrical producing
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Posted October 06, 2021in Center Stage
“Escaping the Labyrinth” makes its official stage debut. The road to presenting a world premiere has as many twists and turns as a global journey to the Temple of Apollo. The paths of the playwright, Thomas Hischak, and the presenting producer, Des Moines Community Playhouse, converge this month when “Escaping
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Posted September 01, 2021in Center Stage
Editor’s note: “The Gospel at Colonus” presented by Pyramid Theatre Company and Des Moines Performing Arts scheduled for Sept. 17-19 is being postponed until spring of 2022. The engagement is being produced in Des Moines with local talent and artists from around the country. With the current conditions of COVID-19
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Posted August 04, 2021in Center Stage
Local producers plan for live shows in 2021-2022. With the irrepressible determination of fresh flora emerging from the devastation of a forest fire, the cultural landscape is sprouting new theatrical blossoms. Companies discovered virtual ways to keep producing content to audiences. Some were by Zoom, others more polished. All offered
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