Brooke is a Des Moines native who has been enjoying theater her entire life. She fell in love with writing about theater in college when an extra credit assignment in Theater 106 was to go to a show and review it. After seeing Wicked thirteen times last year, Brooke decided it was time to start making something of her passion.
 BWW Reviews: BROADWAY'S NEXT HIT MUSICAL Should Be Your Next Stop
May 6, 2013
Des Moines Performing Arts' Temple Comedy Series has done an excellent job of showcasing small comedy and improv troupes this season. Wrapping up the series right now is the improv musical comedy Broadway's Nest Hit Musical running now through May 12th.
 Find Music and Laughter in Des Moines Theaters This May
May 4, 2013
May is not quite the busy month that April was, but there are some fun events to look forward to in Des Moines this month.
 BWW Reviews: ROCK OF AGES Blasts Des Moines Audiences Back to the 80's
April 29, 2013
When Rock of Ages stopped in Des Moines for a limited engagement last week, the beat could be heard for blocks and audiences were on their feet before the last number was over.
 Look for Busy Theaters in Des Moines This April - ROCK OF AGES, DISTRACTED and More!
April 2, 2013
Des Moines audiences are getting spoiled with several productions again this month. After a busy March, April follows suit with a national tour and numerous local productions throughout the month.
 BWW Reviews: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is Worth Every Penny
March 29, 2013
Million Dollar Quartet is difficult to categorize. Billed as a musical, it is unlike almost any musical playing because it takes place over an extremely short time span and features a small cast of characters. The show, which tells of a recording session at Sam Phillips' Sun Records featuring Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Carl Perkins, feels more like a concert because the musical numbers do not comment on the plot or characters. One thing is certain, when Million Dollar Quartet stopped in Des Moines last week, audiences were dancing in the aisles.
 March Will Be An Eventful Month For Des Moines Theaters
March 4, 2013
With two national tours and a local production getting underway, March will be a busy month in Des Moines.
 February in Des Moines: Frigid Temps, Hot Theaters
February 7, 2013
February, despite the frigid temperatures, is going to be another hot month for Des Moines theater.
 BWW Reviews: THE BOOK OF MORMON Converts Des Moines Audiences
January 28, 2013
The Book of Mormon, which opened Thursday at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, anchors the 2012-2013 Broadway series just as it is an anchor on the Great White Way itself.
 BWW Reviews: Road Trip to Oz
January 16, 2013
What can I write about Wicked that hasn't already been written? The musical has been a hit since opening on Broadway in 2004 and now has productions around the globe and two touring productions in the United States. Some write of the power of its' message and others lament its' shortcomings. But I am writing this piece and therefore I have the freedom to say that Wicked is my favorite musical, hands down. Wicked played in St. Louis through January 6th and lucky for me the Fox Theatre is just a short journey down the yellow brick road from Des Moines.
 THE BOOK OF MORMON Kicks Off 2013
January 2, 2013
The New Year is officially underway, and what better way to ring in 2013 than with a theatrical escape into another world.
 BWW Reviews: Unique Theatrical Experience in WAR HORSE Not to be Missed
December 19, 2012
War Horse, which played last week at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, is about as unique a theatrical experience as there has been in recent years.
 Holiday Spirit Abounds in Des Moines This December
December 3, 2012
The holiday season is upon us and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season in the theater this December.
 BWW Reviews: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Proves 'A Tale As Old As Time'
November 29, 2012
You would be hard pressed to find an adult or child of a certain age not familiar with the tale of Beauty and the Beast. It would have been equally as difficult to find someone who did not leave the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines with a smile last week when the touring production played for eight performances.
 BWW Reviews: STOMP Turns Up The Volume
November 12, 2012
It has been over twenty years since STOMP opened in the UK. And while time tends to reveal imperfections, when STOMP performed at the Civic Center this past weekend it was proven that even in an era of big budget musical extravaganzas you simply need excellent performers and a fun idea to succeed and stand the test of time.
 BWW Reviews: 25 Years Later LES MISERABLES Still Leaves an Impact
October 12, 2012
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines' Broadway Series got underway last week with a run of the 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables. Under the watchful eye of original producer Cameron Mackintosh and with music that is known around the world, the new production reinforces the show's position as a timeless classic in the musical theater world.
 LES MISERABLES and More Play Des Moines in October 2012
October 1, 2012
With summer officially over, we can be grateful that theater season has officially begun. Nearly all of the Des Moines area venues and theater companies have something to offer this October.
 Des Moines Fall 2012 Theater Season Kicks Off - Highlights!
September 3, 2012
Though the heat is still stifling in the Des Moines area, several area theater companies will be ringing in the fall theater season and kicking off their 2012-2013 season this month.
 August Theater Sizzles with Iowa Improv Fest and RENT
August 4, 2012
The lazy hazy crazy days of summer continue throughout the month of August, but there are some great events to catch this month.
 BWW Reviews: DM Playhouse's RENT Honors Original
July 16, 2012
For millions of devoted Rentheads, the musical Rent epitomizes a way to live your life. How does the Des Moines Playhouse production stack up against such a legacy?
 July Theater Will Let You Beat the Heat
July 3, 2012
July in Des Moines is gearing up to be one of the hottest in several years, so what better way to beat the heat than to catch a show.
 BWW Reviews: Idina Menzel Belts WICKED, RENT and More in Des Moines
June 24, 2012
Broadway powerhouse and Tony-winner Idina Menzel brought her Barefoot at the Symphony tour to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Friday.
 BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT Dances to Des Moines
June 15, 2012
Billy Elliot, the entertaining and heartfelt musical currently playing at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, will win you over with heart.
 BILLY ELLIOT, Idina Menzel & More Head to Des Moines in June
June 4, 2012
With the start of summer comes the promise of sunny days, but since June is only the first of many warm months to come, there is no excuse not to duck into a theater for a few hours to catch a fabulous show.
 BWW Reviews: Improvised Shakespeare Company Amuses Des Moines Audiences
May 12, 2012
The experience of a performance by the Improvised Shakespeare Company is difficult to describe because it is much less about the story than it is about watching the troupe come up with it on the fly.
 Much to See in Des Moines this May
May 2, 2012
May offers another month of excellent entertainment opportunities at multiple venues in the Des Moines area.
 BWW Reviews: MEMPHIS Brings the Birth of Rock 'N' Roll to Des Moines
April 30, 2012
The birth of rock 'n' roll would seem to be too broad a topic to be covered in the short span of a Broadway musical, but Memphis has found a way to successfully tell one aspect of that story with a compelling plot and memorable music.
 BWW Reviews: Four Original JERSEY BOYS Bring the Sixties to Des Moines
April 23, 2012
Four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys stop in Des Moines for a night of old time rock 'n' roll.
 THE BOOK OF MORMON & More Set for Des Moines Civic Center in 2012-2013
April 4, 2012
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines announced the 2012-2013 season Monday evening in front of hundreds of Civic Center members
 Anticipating an Exciting April Theatre Season in Des Moines!
March 27, 2012
Between the unseasonably warm weather and the upcoming shows, there is a lot to look forward to in April.
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Neil Patrick Harris to Star in HEDWIG on Bway in Spring 2014!
INTO THE WOODS Film to Hit Theaters Christmas Day 2014!
Bullock in Talks to Play 'Miss Hannigan' in ANNIE Film
NBC Reveals SMASH For Your Consideration Emmy Bids
MISS SAIGON Revival to Open in London in 2014
Netflix Orders Second Season of Gothic Thriller HEMLOCK GROVE
Shailene Woodley Cut from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2; Marc Webb to Recast Mary Jane?
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion
BWW CD Reviews: Andrea McArdle's 70'S AND SUNNY - LIVE AT 54 BELOW is a Fabulous Throwback to the 70s
That's a Lot of iPads - Apple Awarded $30 Million iPad Deal From LA Unified School District
STAGE TUBE: First Look at Highlights of BECOMING TRAVIATA Starring Natalie Dessay
BWW Blog: Claire van Bever - The Auditions Tips You HAVEN'T Heard
A DANCER'S DREAM: TWO WORKS BY STRAVINSKY to be Distributed to Worldwide Cinemas, Sept 2013