Des Moines Theater Reviews

Review: TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - May 18, 2023

What did our Some artists are remembered for being one-hit wonders, while others are known for producing hit after hit. In either case, we are left with the legacy of their music. When you think of Tina Turner, you think of all the hit songs she is known for. The legacy her music still has can be se...

Review: A BRIGHT NEW BOISE at Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - May 14, 2023

Every once and a while, when a new season is announced, I find a show in the lineup that I can help but anticipate seeing. For me, that happened when Iowa Stage announced they would be doing 'A Bright New Boise' as part of their 2023 season. It wasn't a show I was familiar with, but it was a plot I ...

Review: Alice Childress' TROUBLE IN MIND At Iowa Stage
by DC Felton - April 06, 2023

In 1957 after a 91-performance Off-Broadway run, a Broadway transfer was planned for Alice Childress' 'Trouble in Mind.' The transfer was halted when Childress refused to soften the themes of racism in the play. Had it premiered, it would have been the first play by an African American female. That ...

Review: THE LION KING at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - April 03, 2023

September 14, 2021, is a day I will never forget.  After an 18-month break due to Covid, Broadway reopened.  Something special happened that morning.  On Good Morning America, there was a special performance from 'The Lion King' that had the cast in places around New York City, awakening the city an...

Review: KINKY BOOTS at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - March 26, 2023

Everybody say yeah! It's that time of year when multiple productions start opening after spending the colder winter months inside. For the spring, Des Moines Playhouse has opened its production of "Kinky Boots." While the musical is fun and had the audience on their feet at the end, the show's messa...

Review: 1776 at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - March 16, 2023

In March 0f 2020, Des Moines Performing Arts announced it was bringing the musical '1776' as part of its 2020/2021 Broadway Series. At the time, the production was billed as a pre-Broadway run. What we didn't know at the time was that it would be almost three years before the show was finally able t...

Review: RUMORS at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola
by DC Felton - March 16, 2023

What did our critic think of RUHave you heard what's going on in Indianola? Not only has Carousel announced their new season, more on that at the end of this review, but they opened their latest production to a sold-out audience on March 10. The show that had a sold-out opening night is Neil Simon's...

Review: THE HUNDRED DRESSES at Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
by DC Felton - March 03, 2023

Our words are powerful; they can tear people down and quickly build people up. This is a lesson that kids of all ages, at times, need to be reminded of. This last weekend, Des Moines Playhouse opened 'The Hundred Dresses' as part of the Kate Goldman Children's Series. This production envelops the en...

Review: SIX: THE MUSICAL at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - February 11, 2023

In 2017, a show opened in London. Over the next few years, its popularity would grow, leading to a small US tour before getting ready to open on Broadway. The show was already building hype, but days before it opened, Covid 19 caused its opening to be delayed, producing even more buzz for the show. ...

Review: GOD OF CARNAGE at Tallgrass Theatre Company
by DC Felton - February 10, 2023

Conflict. It's something that can be challenging for anyone. Imagine that conflict centers around your child or a family member. Tallgrass Theatre Company's production of 'God of Carnage' by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, asks us, an audience, to do just that. This play is the 8th ...

Review: AUGUST WILSONS'S THE PIANO LESSON at Des Moines Playhouse and Pyramid Theatre Company
by DC Felton - February 07, 2023

In 2019 I attended my first two Pyramid Theatre shows. Immediately, I was drawn to the work the company was producing. So in 2020, I was heartbroken when Covid forced them to cancel their season. Coming into 2021, I was thrilled to find out they were partnering with Des Moines Playhouse to produce “...

Review: FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: THE NEXT GENERATION at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - February 03, 2023

Everyone has a playlist. It may be of your favorite artist or genre. Now imagine this playlist being performed live, with a little twist. If that sounds fun to you, and you a big fan of show tunes, then there is a show playing at the Temple of the Performing Arts that you can't miss. On Tuesday, Jan...

Review: RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - December 11, 2022

One of everyone's favorite stories is coming to the stage at the Des Moines Playhouse to remind us that 'Impossible things are happening every day.' Everyone has memories of 'Cinderella,' whether it be the classic Disney movie or one of the many tv airings of 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.' ...

Review: SHE LOVES ME at Ankeny Community Theatre
by DC Felton - December 09, 2022

What did our critic think ofIn 2006, I was introduced to a charming musical when I had the opportunity to be in a production at the college I attended. When Ankeny Community theatre announced their 2022/2023 season, I was ecstatic to see it would be included as part of their season. That delightful ...

Review: COME FROM AWAY at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - November 24, 2022

In 2012 a little musical that could started its trek to Broadway. After a successful 2012 workshop at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, this show went to La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Its journey continued with stops at the Ford Theatre in Washington DC and the Royal Alexand...

Review: MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Tallgrass Theatre Company
by DC Felton - November 15, 2022

As the holiday season gets closer, theatres start bringing some of our favorite stories to the stage. That is no different for Tallgrass Theatre Company, which is offering a new take on a classic tale this holiday season....

Review: HARRIET THE SPY at Kate Goldman Children's Series at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - November 03, 2022

Things are not always as they appear. As we grow older, we learn different ways to seek the truth. One thing we don't have to think about to worry about how they appear are shows that are part of the Kate Goldman's Children's Theatre series at Des Moines Playhouse. This last weekend they opened thei...

Review: THE CROWN LIVE! at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 28, 2022

In just a few weeks, Netflix will have people streaming the newest season of 'The Crown.' The show has always been popular, but with the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth, it has had a resurgence leading up to season 5. So it's no surprise a parody of the show has popped up, and you have the chance ...

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 27, 2022

One of the things I've grown to appreciate about Des Moines Performing Arts is their willingness to bring revivals as part of the Willis Broadway Series. Their commitment to revivals has brought some of my favorite productions over the last few seasons. What is so great about revivals is many times,...

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Carousel Theatre Of Indianola
by DC Felton - October 24, 2022

We all long for friendship, and they get us through some of the most challenging times in our lives. Carousel Theatre of Indianola explores the relationships we build with our friends through their revival production of Robert Harling's 'Steel Magnolias.' ...

Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at Des Moines Performing Arts
by DC Felton - October 08, 2022

After announcing it as part of its 2019-2020 season, Des Moines Performing Arts is finally able to bring another of its pre- covid shows to the stage. This time is the return of the raunchy but amusing 'The Book of Mormon.' In its fourth stop on its new tour, the show took to the Civic Center stage ...

Review: BORROWED BEATS at Ankeny Community Theatre: A World Premiere Takes the Stage
by DC Felton - October 06, 2022

WEvery so often, a partnership in theatre can produce some fantastic results. One of those partnerships can be seen between Ankeny Community Theatre and playwright Tommy Lee Johnston. Last season they included two of his shows, 'Geezers' and 'Aura.' Over the season, Tommy Lee Johnston came to see bo...

Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Des Moines Playhouse
by DC Felton - September 25, 2022

Everyone has a memory of the first musical they were in or saw. For me, it was either 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella,' if i remember correctly, at a local high school. For others, their first memories with musical theatre come through local productions of 'Guys and Dolls.' Des Moines Playhous...

Review: SWEAT at Iowa Stage: A Story that was going to be told in 2020, is just as timely two and a half years later.
by DC Felton - September 23, 2022

Before the Pandemic, one of the shows I was looking forward to seeing was Iowa Stage's production of 'Sweat' by Lynn Nottage. At that time, the excitement for me was being able to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning play. I didn't realize how powerful and impactful the play would be for me. I didn't realiz...

Review: Preview of Upcoming AMERICAN APOLLO Brings Des Moines Metro Opera Season to a Fine End
by DC Felton - August 17, 2022

Des Moines Metro Opera recently brought its 50th Anniversary season to a close, and they saved a special treat for their audiences. For the 2024 season, they are commissioning a full-length opera of AMERICAN APOLLO. As a treat to those in attendance this season, they offered the opportunity to see t...