Discussion and reviews of musicals and plays performed in the Des Moines area
We have a new entry in our "top" musicals list! "& Juliet" played at the Des Moines Civic Center May 6-11, 2025 and we loved it!
Des Moines Playhouse presents Alice in Wonderland as part of their children's series, May 2-18, 2025. Ashley has the inside scoop on this production!
This week we are joined by the director and cast of The Curious Savage, playing at Carlisle High School April 17, 18, and 19, 2025. All shows start at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at https://carlisleactivities.hometownticketing.com/
Ashley and her daughter Abigail discuss Knuffle Bunny, spring break camps, and Alice in Wonderland, all happening at the Des Moines Playhouse.Knuffle Bunny is playing March 28-April 13, 2025. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/knuffle-bunny/
Karen and Ashley break down the 2025-2026 Willis Broadway Series at Des Moines Performing Arts. Season tickets (and add-ons for season ticket holders) on sale now at dmpa.org.
Karen and Ashley chat about Life of Pi which played at Des Moines Performing Arts Feb. 25 - March 2, 2025.
Ashley and her daughters went to Momix Alice, a one night engagement at Des Moines Performing Arts. Karen and Ashley chat about Men on Boats playing at The Des Moines Playhouse February 7 - March 2, 2025.
Karen and Ashley, self-proclaimed corn professionals, discuss Shucked which played January 28 - February 2, 2025 at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Karen and Ashley saw Last Stop on Market Street as part of the Kate Goldman Family Series in the new Studio Theatre at the Des Moines Playhouse, showing Nov. 08 - Nov. 24, 2024. Last Stop on Market Street is a collaboration with Pyramid Theatre Company and City Voices.
Karen and Ashley went Back to the Future at the Des Moines Civic Center, playing October 15-20, 2024.
Karen and Ashley catch up after the Santino Fontana concert, and Ashley talks about the shows (and celebrity!) she saw in Vegas.
Karen and Ashley chat about Jersey Boys, The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, at the Des Moines Playhouse. Playing September 19 - September 29, 2024.
Karen and Ashley didn't see Moulin Rouge together. Listen in as they share their thoughts on the musical showing at Des Moines Performing Arts Civic Center August 20 - September 1, 2024.
It's our annual summer episode! Listen in as Karen tells us about the Opera and Ashley worries she's not tech savvy enough to get this episode out to you!
Ashley and her kids present STOMPCast! STOMP performed June 20 - 23, 2024 at the Des Moines Performing Arts Civic Center.
Karen and Ashley discuss The Play That Goes Wrong, playing at the Des Moines Playhouse May 31-June 16, 2024.
Karen and Ashley are giggly as they look back at the Renée Elise Goldsberry cincert and ahead to the 2024 summer lineup in Des Moines.
Karen and Ashley share their thoughts on MJ, which played April 30 - May 5, 2024, at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Karen and Ashley discuss the 2024-25 Des Moines Playhouse Season Announcement
Karen and Ashley talk about DMPA's 2024-25 Willis Broadway Series announcement. Get your tickets at dmpa.org.
Ashley and her 8 year old daughter Abigail share their experience with Dragons Love Tacos playing at the Des Moines Playhouse March 1-10, 2024.
Company playing at Des Moines Performing Arts February 6-11, 2024.
We're back! Karen fills Ashley in on Mamma Mia! playing at the Des Moines Civic Center January 23 - 28, 2024.
Karen and Ashley dive into Girl From the North Country which opened the 2023-2024 Des Moines Performing Arts Broadway series November 28-December 3, 2023.
There's a lot happening at the Des Moines Playhouse this month! We saw All is Calm and A Charlie Brown Christmas this week. Both shows are running through December 17, 2023. Plus a little glimpse at the audition process at DMPH.
Karen enlightens us with Jane Austen, Ashley is a Swiftie, and more theater soon in Central Iowa!
Learn more about Seussical the Musical TYA, playing at the Des Moines Playhouse October 27-November 5, 2023.
Ashley tells Karen about the Des Moines Playhouse production of High School Musical Jr., which ran October 13-15, 2023. This production was presented by the Penguin Project.
Ashley and Karen talk about all the fun they had at Beetlejuice (The Musical! The Musical! The Musical!), playing at the Des Moines Civic Center October 3 - 8, 2023.
Ashley and Karen gush about Once playing at Des Moines Playhouse Sep. 08 - Sep. 24, 2023. Tickets available at https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/once/.
Karen is living her best life and reclaiming her summer!
Karen and Ashley saw a classic, Little Shop of Horrors, playing July 14-30, 2023 at rhe Des Moines Playhouse.
Karen and Ashley chat about Native Gardens, playing June 2-18, 2023 at the Des Moines Playhouse.
Ashley tells Karen about the Prom playing at Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Minnesota.
Karen and Ashley chat about Tina, the Tina Turner Musical, playing at Des Moines Performing Arts May 16-21, 2023.
Ashley and her daughter talk about Hairspray, which they saw February 3, 2023 in Ames, IA.
Karen and Ashley chat about the upcoming shows at the Des Moines Playhouse for the 2023-2024 season.
Karen and Ashley discuss Disney's The Lion King, playing at Des Moines Performing Arts March 30-April 16, 2023.
Karen saw 1776 at Des Moines Performing Arts and Ashley saw Kinky Boots at Des Moines Playhouse. Tickets are still on sale for Kinky Boots now through April 8th. Get your tickets here: https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/kinky-boots/
Des Moines Performing Arts released the 2022-2024 Willis Broadway Season lineup, and we are here for it! Get or renew your season tickets at dmpa.org. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ashley and her daughters discuss The Hundred Dresses playing at Des Moines Playhouse February 24-March 12, 2023.
Karen and Ashley are excited about Six the Musical, playing February 7-19 at Des Moines Performing Arts! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ashley and Karen chat about The Des Moines Playhouse and Pyramid Theatre Company's co-production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, playing Feb. 3-19, 2023. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277. 6261. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Karen and Ashley's faces hurt from laughing at Forbidden Broadway, playing at Des Moines Performing Arts's Temple Theater January 31 through February 5, 2023. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ashley gushes to Karen about the musicals she saw at Walt Disney World, and they both get excited about upcoming shows. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Karen and Ashley saw Cats, which played at the Des Moines Civic Center on January 3-8, 2023. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Karen and Ashley are full of turkey and talking performances at DMPA! Featured are The Planets by the Des Moines Symphony and Come From Away at the Des Moines Civic Center. Support Central Iowa performing arts! See upcoming shows we discussed at www.dmplayhouse.com, www.desmoinesperformingarts.org, https://desmoinesmetroopera.org/, https://dmsymphony.org/, https://urbandaletheatre.com, and https://tallgrasstheatre.org. Email us and let us know what you think! desmusicals@gmail.com Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesMusicals/ Please rate and review us wherever you listen. This helps listeners find us! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Karen tells us about Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley now playing at Tallgrass Theater. Ashley chats about comedians and we preview some of the amazing performances happening in Central Iowa this holiday season. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Karen and Ashley review Fiddler on the Roof playing at the Des Moines Civic Center October 27 - 30, 2022. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ashley and special guest John review Book of Mormon which was at the Des Moines Civic Center October 7-9, 2022. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app