DM Playhouse's 2016-17 Season to Include WEST SIDE STORY, ROCK OF AGES & More

The Des Moines Community Playhouse has the most romantic, rocking, decadent, side-splitting season ever. The theatre's 98th season includes four musicals, plus dramas, comedies, and family shows. Playhouse season tickets go on sale Mar. 15 online at dmplayhouse.com and at the Playhouse ticket office.

The 2016-17 Mainstage season opens with a bang with "Rock of Ages," followed by the classic Leonard Bernstein love story, "West Side Story," and the hilarious spoof of the Mary Shelley classic, "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein." The Mainstage season also features a new stage version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and the heart-wrenchingly beautiful, "Steel Magnolias."

In its 22nd season, the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre continues its page-to-stage tradition of plays adapted from popular books with "The Boxcar Children," "Ramona Quimby," "Holes," and "Fancy Nancy The Musical."

The Playhouse's 2016 Family Holiday Classic is the musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka," bringing a sweet treat to the Des Moines winter.

School matinees will be offered for "The Boxcar Children," "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka," "Ramona Quimby," "Holes," and "Fancy Nancy The Musical."

The Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For season ticket information, contact the Des Moines Community Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261 or visit the Playhouse website at dmplayhouse.com.

2015-16 Playhouse Season

"Rock of Ages"

Sponsored by Cognizant

July 15-Aug. 7, 2016

Drew is a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit. Sherrie is a small-town girl. Both are in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big. As their rock-and-roll fairy tale unfolds, plans are discovered to turn the infamous Sunset Strip into a mall. Can the gang save the Strip and themselves?

"West Side Story"

Sponsored by The Principal Financial Group

Oct. 7-30, 2016

"Romeo and Juliet" takes to the streets of New York City, where two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, fight for supremacy. But when a former Jet, Tony, falls in love with Maria, the sister of a Shark, no one can do anything to stop their love. With timeless music from Leonard Bernstein, "West Side Story" is one of the greatest love stories of all time!

"The Boxcar Children"

Sponsored by Nationwide

Nov. 4-20, 2016

Generations of readers have cherished the adventures of "The Boxcar Children" and now their stories come to life onstage! Follow orphan siblings Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny as they run away from foster care to make a home for themselves in an abandoned railroad boxcar. Through the rewards and perils of life on the run in the Depression era, they hold to their motto: "We stick together like glue."

"Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"

Sponsored by DuPont Pioneer

Dec. 2-18, 2016

Join Charlie Bucket and the four other Golden Ticket winners as they set off on an adventure through Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with Mr. Wonka himself! As the greatest chocolate factory in the world provides excitement around every turn, Charlie learns the importance of sincerity, kindness and "pure imagination!"

"Ramona Quimby"

Sponsored by Nationwide

Jan. 6-22, 2017

Third grade is NOTHING like Ramona Quimby imagined. Her teacher hates her, her older sister Beezus is a pain, Aunt Bea is going to marry a dork, and her Dad just lost his job. But with the help of her friends, boisterous and independent Ramona takes on life's challenges.

"F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby"

Jan. 27-Feb. 12, 2017

Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, takes Long Island newcomer Nick Carraway under his wing into his decadent world of obsession, greed and danger. Gatsby hopes to reunite with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, his true love from a lifetime ago. The glamour of the Jazz Age comes to life in this new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.

"Holes"

Sponsored by Nationwide

Feb. 24-Mar. 12, 2017

Based on the award-winning book by Louis Sachar, "Holes" tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, who continues his family's curse of bad luck and finds himself at Camp Green Lake, convicted of a crime he didn't commit. But this isn't any ordinary camp; the boys are forced to dig day in and day out in search of historic treasure. Hole by hole, Stanley digs into his past and with the help of his friend Zero, reshapes his destiny.

"The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein"

Mar. 17-Apr. 9, 2017

From the creators of "The Producers" comes this hilarious re-imagining of the classic story. With the help of some friends, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein) succeeds in creating a monster to rival his grandfather's, but not without some hilarious complications.

"Fancy Nancy The Musical"

Apr. 28-May 21, 2017

Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. But when someone else gets picked to be the star mermaid of her first dance recital and she is forced to play a tree, Nancy must learn kindness and find the "fancy flair" in her new role. Adapted from the bestselling book series by Jane O'Connor, "Fancy Nancy" will warm your hearts with SPARKLE!

"Steel Magnolias"

June 2-18, 2017

"Steel Magnolias" is the story of six unlikely friends; the concerned Annelle, wise-cracking Truvy, grumpy Ouiser, sweet-toothed Clairee, local social leader M'Lynn and her diabetic daughter Shelby. Their conversations in Truvy's beauty salon bring hilarity, until tragedy strikes and makes them realize their mortality.

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