Historical America and UK featured in September shows
9/3/2025
Becca Shell, Eric Olson, Ruthellen Cunnally and Erica Eckley in Tallgrass Theatre Company’s “Blithe Spirit.” Image courtesy of Dylan Heuer
As summer slips into fall, central Iowa will be offering two distinctly different, yet delightfully appealing, shows set back in time. The 1920s and the 1940s America are the settings for “Bright Star” while the late 1930s provides the historic backdrop for “Blithe Spirit.” This one-two theatrical punch of a musical and a comedy should be on everyone’s calendar this month.
Shining musical to bedazzle audiences
The Des Moines Playhouse brings Experienced director Katrina Ploof back to direct its fall musical, “Bright Star.” This Broadway hit features music and book by Steve Martin and music and lyrics by Edie Brickell. Martin and Brickell began their collaborative journey in 2013 when she toured with Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers throughout North America. That underscores the rich bluegrass-inspired score. The musical is inspired by the real-life story of a baby thrown from a train in a suitcase. It tells the story of Alice Murphy, a literary editor, and her journey to understand her past and the child she lost. The show is set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s.
When asked to describe the appeal of this Broadway show, Ploof shares, “It’s exciting as a story-teller, when presented with a dual-time story like ‘Bright Star,’ to look for and illuminate the contrasting worlds and time periods of the play. And theatre is uniquely qualified to show us that contrast through both the technical aspects of the play — costumes, dance styles, furnishings and props-and also the directorial and acting choices — how do men and women relate to one another in 1923? In 1945? How do individuals approach problems and solutions when the world they live in offers few, or abundant, solutions? And, of course, there is the element of sweet nostalgia for a time gone by — a time when historically we came together as a nation to strive for something bigger than ourselves. In 2025, that notion seems almost quaint, doesn’t it?”
What as a director drew you to ‘Bright Star’?
“Well, at its core, ‘Bright Star’ is a mystery, and who doesn’t love a good mystery? As an artist, I have always been drawn to stories that reflect upon the decisions made by the characters and the outcome of those decisions. As the mystery of ‘Bright Star’ begins to unravel, it’s clear that a decision made by one character has set in motion an inevitable outcome, one that in the end will change the lives of everyone involved. It’s a story full of intrigue and love and a joy unique in American history. That, and the fact that ‘Bright Star’ is set in such a beautiful place, full of the magic of nature and history, made it a very easy project to say yes to.”
The spirits are about the speak
Noël Coward had been thinking about writing a comedy about ghosts, but, in 1941, during the blitzkrieg, such references to death would probably not be well received. “Blithe Spirit” evolved from a holiday in Wales with actress Joyce Carey and an extended conversation on the beach that resulted in the title and synopsis for the comedy. The title of the play is taken from Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem “To a Skylark” (“Hail to thee, blithe Spirit! / Bird thou never wert”).
Director Bob Baskerville talks about the special appeal this show offers.
“ ‘Blithe Spirit’ is, in the words of its author, Noel Coward, an ‘improbable farce in three acts.’ Our goal is to take our audiences back in time to the late 1930s, a time before we were overwhelmed with the constant barrage of electronics, sound bites and social media. A simpler time when conversations were more than simply exchanging information; they were entertaining in and of themselves. One of the hallmarks of Coward’s writing is his ability to make the English language fluid and lyrical, almost to the point of it being another character. There’s a certain musicality we hope to share with folks so they can sit back and relax for an evening of live, local theatre. Oh, and some pretty cool special effects, too. I mean, it is a ghost story.”
Baskerville synopsizes the ‘Blithe Spirit’ story nicely.
“The plot centers around Charles Condomine, a successful author. He is in the process of doing research for his next book, which includes a charlatan mystic. Charles and his wife, Ruth, are hosting a dinner party and have invited two of their friends and a local clairvoyant in the hopes of learning some of her ‘tricks of the trade.’ After dinner, the group holds a seance and inadvertently summons the spirit of Charles’ deceased first wife, the mischievous Elvira. However, Charles is the only one who can see her. The action continues as the three attempt to adjust to their new situation, with varying degrees of success.”
Make plans for the current theatre season, as regional companies now have their seasons posted through summer of 2026. Iowa Stage Theatre Company’s seasons runs the calendar year. ♦
John Busbee produces The Culture Buzz, a weekly arts and culture radio show on www.kfmg.org, covering Iowa’s arts scene with an inclusive sweep of the cultural brush. He received the 2014 Iowa Governor’s Arts Award for Collaboration and Partnership in the Arts.
