Now Playing Onstage in Des Moines - Week of 2/17/2013

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DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR
WEST BURLINGTON ARNOLD JUNIOR/SENIOR HS
2/21-2/22/2013
Step into the enchanted world of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. Featuring songs from the Academy-Award winning animated feature, this stage version includes music by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. Your audiences will be transported to the heart of provincial life in a lovely French town. When Maurice becomes lost in the woods on the way to the fair, he seeks shelter in an old castle, but the master of the castle is a horrible beast that takes him captive. Maurice's daughter, Belle, must then give up her freedom to save his life. Belle's taming of the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince is a beloved fairy tale about very different people finding strength in one another and learning how to love. This "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities. Even more simply staged, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. offers students a great introduction to musical theatre, using familiar songs and characters to guide them through their production.
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SEUSSICAL
DAVIS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
2/21-2/22/2013
Now one of the most performed shows in America, SEUSSICAL is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (LUCKY STIFF, MY FAVORITE YEAR, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and RAGTIME) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge--not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.SEUSSICAL is fun for the whole family! Performers of all ages will be excited to portray the characters from the familiar Dr. Seuss fables. This musical provides wonderful creative opportunities for set, lighting, and costume design.More Ahrens and FlahertyFor complet
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THE PRODUCERS
OTTUMWA COMMUNITY PLAYERS
2/22-2/24/2013
Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks' classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, THE PRODUCERS once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor. It is a truly "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history thereby bilking their backers (all "little old ladies") out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive "Springtime For Hitler"), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends. With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (ANNIE) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks , THE PRODUCERS skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an "equal opportunity offender!"
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NEXT TO NORMAL
DES MOINES ONSTAGE
2/23-2/25/2013
Pulitzer-Prize winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness.NEXT TO NORMAL tells the story of a mother, Diane Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. This contemporary musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact.NEXT TO NORMAL is a deeply moving piece of theatre that provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. This show is ideal for community theaters, as well as colleges and regional theatre companies.
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[TITLE OF SHOW]
Theatre Cedar Rapids
2/15-3/2/2013
Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Larry on the eighty-eights. With the cast in place, Jeff and Hunter begin a conversation about what to write about. Eventually, Jeff Suggests they write about what to write about. They make a pact to write up until the festival?s deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. [title of show]?taken from the space on the festival?s application form which asks for the [title of show]?follows Hunter and Jeff and their friends on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression. In the span of 90 minutes they write and perform their show at the festival and learn lessons about themselves as people, friends and artists. [title of show] is, above all, a love letter to the musical theatre?a uniquely American art form?and to the joy of collaboration. The musical received a Tony AwardMusic and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen; Book by Hunter Bell
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[TITLE OF SHOW]
Theatre Cedar Rapids
2/15-3/2/2013
Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Larry on the eighty-eights. With the cast in place, Jeff and Hunter begin a conversation about what to write about. Eventually, Jeff Suggests they write about what to write about. They make a pact to write up until the festival?s deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. [title of show]?taken from the space on the festival?s application form which asks for the [title of show]?follows Hunter and Jeff and their friends on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression. In the span of 90 minutes they write and perform their show at the festival and learn lessons about themselves as people, friends and artists. [title of show] is, above all, a love letter to the musical theatre?a uniquely American art form?and to the joy of collaboration. The musical received a Tony Award� nomination for Best Book of a Musical in 2009.Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen; Book by Hunter Bell
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AVENUE Q
CORNELL COLLEGE-DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE
2/22-3/3/2013
AVENUE Q is a gut-bustingly hilarious modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city, seeking their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, Monsters are good and life lessons are learned.Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, AVENUE Q is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. AVENUE Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it's clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.Puppet RentalBe sure to visit MTI's Prop Shop to see our AVENUE Q puppets to rent!AVENUE Q NEW YORKVisit the official "Avenue Q New York" for NYC ticketing and more information.
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THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
SOUTHWEST IOWA THEATRE GROUP
2/22-3/3/2013
A rare combination of unprecedented originality and blinding talent, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. If you've ever sat in a dark theatre and thought, "Dear Lord in heaven, please let it be good," this is the show for you!It all begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love. Order your copy of "Showing Off with THE DROWSY CHAPERONE" - an informative DVD with advice and production tips from the show's authors and creative staff. Email licensing@mtishows.com to request your FREE copy!
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