Saturday, April 11, 2026

Join our email blast

Posted August 06, 2025in Sound Circuit

Phoenix Mendoza — singer, writer, artist

Musician Phoenix Mendoza’s multi-dimensional career spans from songwriting, performance, and recording to visual arts and charity concerts.  Mendoza will perform in Des Moines on Aug. 28 at Jasper Winery. He and Josh Leo, along with their band, play a charity concert benefitting Mary’s Meals. Kitty Steadman also performs. The concert

Read More →
Posted July 02, 2025in Center Stage

Great shows offered in June

The Des Moines Playhouse has developed a strong tradition of a summer musical, adding a roster of collegiate talent home for the summer to their shows. Their summer musical tradition continues with “Waitress,” the multiple 2016 Tony Award nominee in a year when it was up against a rich pool

Read More →
Posted June 04, 2025in Center Stage

‘Hamilton’ begins extended run at DMPA

Thanks to its strategic development, Des Moines Performing Arts is able to accommodate the needs of Broadway’s biggest national touring shows. “Hamilton” is such a show and returns after its inaugural three-week run in 2018 for an eagerly anticipated two-week run in June.   A tradition of being able to

Read More →
Posted April 30, 2025in Center Stage

New theatre company debuts

Periodically, new stage tribes form, answering the calls of their muses. They want to offer new perspectives in central Iowa’s performing scene. Some previous names that float through the memory ether include Two Rivers Acting Company, Shakespeare on the Loose, Central Iowa Repertory Theatre, Open Door Rep and Kata Klysmic.

Read More →
Posted April 02, 2025in Center Stage

To Hades and back

“Hadestown” anchors a stellar lineup of April stage offerings for theatre patrons looking to experience locally sourced stage work to an eight-time Tony Award-winning Broadway national touring production. Feast time for live performing arts.  “Hadestown,” with music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell, tells a version of the ancient Greek

Read More →
Posted March 05, 2025in Center Stage

Geriatrics, Jesus and Judy

Their change was to align their season with their fiscal year, but it provided a showcase opportunity for Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC). As a legacy theatre company, Iowa Stage embraces its histories with StageWest, Drama Workshop, Central Iowa Repertory Theatre, and Repertory Theatre of Iowa. It pays its actors

Read More →
Posted February 05, 2025in Center Stage

‘Life of Pi’ coming to Des Moines

It’s simple performing arts math. Pi r2 may determine the area of a circle, but “Pi,” the stellar award-winning theatrical experience, is bringing a prelude of anticipation when the “Life of Pi” national tour makes a week-long stop at Des Moines Performing Arts beginning Feb. 25.  Based on Yann Martel’s

Read More →
Posted January 01, 2025in Center Stage

New Year, new offerings, new opportunities

While most performing arts presenters take a well-deserved post-holiday break, there still are some shows beckoning January audiences. This is also a great time to add an enticing resolution to your list: Consider how to become involved in an upcoming stage production. The backbone of central Iowa’s vibrant performing arts

Read More →
Posted December 04, 2024in Center Stage

Erma leads a holiday parade of shows

Buckle up for a month of diverse, engaging cultural adventurism. December offers a true cornucopia of performing arts. A Disney musical, a classic musical, an iconic comedic voice re-envisioned, and a new adaptation of the seasonal Dickensian delight, plus concerts galore, fill the monthly finale for 2024 with a beckoning

Read More →
Posted November 06, 2024in Center Stage

Experiencing theatre through youthful eyes

November is filled with excellent opportunities for shared live performing art experiences for cross generations. Bringing children and youth to a show geared toward their age. If variety is the spice of life, this month offers an enticing cultural buffet sure to satisfy the appetites of young and old alike.

Read More →
House - Rack Locations