Micheal Davenport

Recently, the term intermission has taken on a new meaning in the theatre community.  While we usually use it as a term to signify a break in a show, we have recently modified it to a break in theatre productions due to COVID19. While we may not be able to gather as a theatre community to sit in a theatre for a show, some theatres are getting creative in how they present shows this summer.  One of them is Des Moines Playhouse.  I attended a dress rehearsal of their socially distanced production of 'Love Letters,' which opens on June 12.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse has added 15 Live Theatre Drive-In performances. Originally announced performances sold out in five days. Tickets for the added performances are available online at dmplayhouse.com or by calling The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse held the 2018 Dionysos Awards on Sunday, Oct. 14. The theatre honored 18 backstage, front-of-house, and education volunteers, and announced 10 acting award winners. The evening with a number from Billy Elliot The Musical, on stage now through Oct. 28.

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse for the 2018-19 Dionysos Awards on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. The Dionysos Awards celebrates the contributions of more than 750 individuals, giving 55,000 hours annually as actors, backstage crews, and guest services volunteers.  

The Des Moines Community Playhouse opens its 100th season with its production of the Tony Award winner Billy Elliot The Musical, Oct. 5-28, 2018. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. Billy Elliot The Musical is sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse opens its 100th season with its production of the Tony Award winner Billy Elliot The Musical, Oct. 5-28, 2018.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the suspense-filled 'Misery,' Jan. 26-Feb. 11, 2018. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. 'Misery' is sponsored by Edward Jones.

Although Urbandale Community Theatre's dedication to producing classic shows may be safer than putting on contemporary pieces, a classic must be done in a fresh way in order to convince the audience that the show must be seen. This production remains fresh enough to receive that seal of approval and entertains in spite of certain scenes that slow down the action. I will say that I wish Urbandale Community Theatre would sometimes be riskier in its selection of show, but Guys & Dolls convinces me enough that classics are here to stay.

For the past two decades, Urbandale Community Theatre has been entertaining the local community with an annual summer musical theatre production. This tradition continues this year with a new production of Guys and Dolls running July 21 - 30, 2017. Guys and Dolls, the 1950 Frank Loesser production that has been a staple of American musical theatre since its debut, also continues Urbandale Community Theatre's tradition of utilizing a volunteer cast, crew, and orchestra in combination with a professional production team to create a polished theatrical experience that reaches all areas of the Urbandale community.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the classic drama, 12 ANGRY MEN, tonight, Feb. 5, through Feb. 21, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast onstage below!

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the classic drama, 12 ANGRY MEN, Feb. 5-21, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the classic drama, '12 Angry Men,' Feb. 5-21, 2016. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. '12 Angry Men' is sponsored by the INS Family of Companies.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the musical, 'Into the Woods,' tonight, Sept. 11, through Oct. 4, 2015. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. 'Into the Woods' is sponsored by The Principal Financial Group.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the musical, 'Into the Woods,' Sept. 11-Oct. 4, 2015. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. 'Into the Woods' is sponsored by The Principal Financial Group.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the new musical, 'The Addams Family,' tonight, May 29-June 21.

'Lobster Alice' follows Alice Horowitz, a coffee-bearing secretary who just wants life to be interesting. John Finch, an animator at work on Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland,' wants Alice. When the great and outrageous Salvador Dali arrives at the studio to work on a short animated film, life becomes curiouser and curiouser. Dali scandalizes the conservative Finch and Alice, the coffee-bearing secretary, becomes Alice, the girl in a rabbit hole, and Finch and Alice both experience the surreal vagaries of the human heart. 'Lobster Alice' is inspired by a true story about Dali's visit toe an animation studio.

Morticia (Dani Boal) and Gomez Addams (Edward Corpus) want to continue living amongst death, pain, and suffering, the way they always have. But when their eldest child, Wednesday (Marisa Spahn), the ultimate princess of darkness, falls in love with a sweet, smart young man, Lucas Beineke (Andrew Rubenbauer), everything makes a sudden change. As if her flourishing love weren't enough, Wednesday confides in her father, who must keep the secret from his beloved wife, Morticia, something he's never done before. This kooky musical proves how an entire family can change when a daughter falls in love.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse play reading series continues on Monday, Apr. 6, at 7:00 PM with Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's 'The Velvet Sky.' The evening is free; beverages will be available for purchase.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the family holiday classic, 'Mary Poppins,' tonight, Dec. 5-28.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the family holiday classic, 'Mary Poppins,' Dec. 5-28.