Civic Center Announces MR. WONDER BOY, Closes 2/27

MR. WONDER BOY, a new play coming to The Temple Theater, stars comedian and storyteller Bob Stromberg, best known for originating the role of "Bobby Bean" in, and co-authoring, TRIPLE ESPRESSO - A HIGHLY CAFFEINATED COMEDY. But this time, he goes solo, taking theater-goers on a captivating journey through life and art.  The production will close Feb. 27, 2011.

Tickets for MR. WONDER BOY are on sale now at the Civic Center Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-8000 and online at CivicCenter.org. Groups of 12 or more should call (515) 246-2340.

MR. WONDER BOY is presented by the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines at the Civic Center's Temple Theater in the Temple for Performing Arts as part of the Prairie Meadows Temple Theater Series.

DAY DATE TIME TICKET PRICES
Wednesday Feb. 16 7:30 p.m. $32.50
Thursday Feb. 17 7:30 p.m. $32.50
Friday Feb. 18 7:30 p.m. $38.50
Saturday Feb. 19 5:00 p.m. $38.50
Saturday Feb. 19 8:00 p.m. $38.50
Sunday Feb. 20 2:00 p.m. $38.50

Wednesday Feb. 23 7:30 p.m. $32.50
Thursday Feb. 24 7:30 p.m. $32.50
Friday Feb. 25 7:30 p.m. $38.50
Saturday Feb. 26 5:00 p.m. $38.50
Saturday Feb. 26 8:00 p.m. $38.50
Sunday Feb. 27 2:00 p.m. $38.50

All pricing includes a Building Restoration Fee of $2.50

In MR. WONDER BOY, humorist and storyteller Bob Stromburg explores life in and arts through the eyes of a youngster who "overcame a happy childhood to become a comedic artist." In Bob's world, everyday experiences are anything but ordinary, and moments of true discovery and unexpected insight are wrapped in laugh-out-loud comedy.

His charming tale begins with a flying baby and soars on a creative flight of laughter, joy, and wonder. Reflective and moving, MR. WONDER BOY is a satisfying journey for any audience. The Minneapolis Star Tribune says Stromberg's "divine comic mission seems clearly fixed on uplifting the hearts of audiences" while the St. Paul Pioneer Press praises Stromburg as "a cross between Bob Newhart and Garrison Keillor."

MR. WONDER BOY and TRIPLE ESPRESO Executive producer Dennis Babcock originally encouraged Stromburg to write his own show. "I knew he could write and I also knew he could perform. I wanted to see more of both." Within months, Stromburg had completed the script. Babcock loved the script raving, "Bob is an amazing storyteller with the gift of pulling you right along with him into the world of his stories, and at the same time, taking you right into your own heart - with plenty of laughs along the way."

MR. WONDER BOY is presented as part of the Prairie Meadows Temple Theater Series.

Bob Stromberg (Author, Actor)
Bob Stromberg grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of rural Pennsylvania. Throughout his early school years, his deepest desire was to be recognized "class clown," but as the sensitive son of a school administrator and a teacher he found his aspirations unattainable.

Receiving an art degree from North Park College in Chicago, he continued his studies for two years with legendary mime teacher Tony Montanaro at Celebration Theatre in Maine. It was there he met mask maker extraordinaire Michael Cooper. For over ten years they clowned throughout New England, cutting their performing teeth in over 4,000 school and community shows. In 1989 Bob "went solo" with his unique blend of story, standup and shtick in venues from churches to corporate settings and stadiums.

In 1995 he joined his friends, masterful comic magician Bill Arnold and musical genius Michael Pearce Donley, to co-author the comedy, TRIPLE ESPRESSO - A HIGHLY CAFFEINATED COMEDY. The play opened at the Music Box Theater on April 27, 1996. Bob remembers hoping to make it through a six week run without losing his home. The Minneapolis run of TRIPLE ESPRESSO went to run for twelve years. Since its beginning, the "little play that could" has opened in dozens of cities from San Diego to London to Munich. In his signature role as Bobby Bean, the Chicago Sun Times called Bob "...a mesmerizing physical comedian" and the London Times, "...a genuinely funny man."

Bob has written three books, Why Geese Fly Farther Than Eagles, Finding the Magnificent in Lower Mundane and the award winning The Miracle at Stinky Bay. Bob lives in Minnesota with his wife Judy, occasionally still performs with Triple Espresso, and tours extensively as a featured comedian and speaker.

In both capacities, it is his joy to advocate for impoverished children through the Christian ministry of Compassion International, releasing children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. Visit www.compassion.com to learn more about this important work. Bob's booking information, products, news and videos are available at www.bobstromberg.com.

Bob wishes to use Mr. Wonder Boy performances to remember his wonderful grandfather Albin Nelson, a bottle packer and joyfully suffering artist who never tired of telling stories.

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a private not-for-profit corporation celebrating over 30 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states. It is the presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is the performing home of many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony and StageWest. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Civic Center's Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.CivicCenter.org. All Ticketmaster locations and at the Civic Center Ticket office open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Temple Theater Ticket Office two hours prior to any performance.

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