Des Moines Community Playhouse

Just got home from seeing the July 2025 performance of Waitress. The acting was superb…from the tender moments to the comical ones. The actors were so good and *perfectly* cast…the nurse had me cackling 😂. And Hannah, the actress playing Jenna, had me full on weeping over a plastic baby doll in one of the final scenes. 🥹 She had us in the palm of her hand with her emotional performance and killer vocal chops ❤️ We are truly lucky to have this theater in Des Moines. I left with that “post-musical natural high” that is one of the best feelings life can offer! I freaking loved this show. Bravo 👏🏼

An amazing place to enjoy a show in Des Moines! The talent here is truly impressive. I recently saw Waitress and it quickly became one of my favorites such a memorable performance. Highly recommend catching a show here if you get the chance!

I didn’t go into my first time at DSM Community Playhouse expecting much, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was blown away by the quality of the singing, the acting, the production, and the heart of their performance of Waitress. They sold award-winning apple mini pies to tie in with the show and even did a DV shelter toiletry drive to support DV survivors in honor of the show’s theme. Incredible! The actor who plays Jenna is a gem, and the actors who play Dawn and Ogie are both scene stealers. Can’t wait to go again. My only suggestion is to please offer some NA beer or mocktail options—all you had was alcohol and typical “soft” drinks like pop and water. Lots of people are sober or sober curious, and some elevated NA options would be awesome. Thanks for a great time!

Recently attended the production Waitress. Incredible pie as a sweet treat. Lots of parking. Fun time at thd Playhouse

Great facility. We went there and saw the musical Waitress. The facility is in incredible shape and is well taken care of.

This venue continues to expand, improve & enlarge the physical facilities but the immense human talent backstage & in front will always remain it's greatest asset.

Wonderful experience, the actors are amazing. I really enjoy shows at the Des Moines community playhouse.

Very creative interpretation of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Clean facility as always and awesome cast.

Outstanding venue and play. Brought my 11 year old daughter to see Anne Frank. This was our first time at the Playhouse and it will not be the last. There is not a bad seat in the house. The venue is intimate and great to watch local talent wor their magic. Isabelle Piedras was outstanding as Anne Frank. I was amazed bY her composure and budding range. All Of the cast did a great job and I will be excited to see them in future plays. It was all in all a great evening out.

Went to the playhouse to see Kinky boots. The production was fantastic and I can't praise the cast enough. They offer a pre show if you want to learn more about the play and what goes into creating the production. The ushers are friendly and knowledgeable. There's a bar for before show and intermission, but drink options s are extremely limited. Seating is snug, so I hope you know your neighbor and everyone bathed. Hopefully more accommodating seating will be added with their new fundraiser.

A show about faith, trust and pixie dust! The classic story from the side of Tinker Bell is a hilarious romp for the whole family. The funny thing is Smee somehow steals the show. Chris does a fantastic job taking a fun character and turning him love able and relatable. Everyone on the cast was terrific! Our five year old was enthralled throughout. We love the autograph session after to meet the cast.

This is a great family friendly place to go. My hard-to-keep-entertained 4 & 5 year old boys were glued to the action. The atmosphere is very casual and informal and ends up providing a relaxed environment to enjoy the show. The intermission is pretty clutch as well for a well timed bathroom break for everyone and then the cast comes out to the lobby and signs autographs and chat it up with the fans. The cast is a wide variety of ages too which is awesome to see. Highly recommend- will be back and back often! Tremendous event!!

I had an opportunity to see "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" at this DSM playhouse this weekend. The location is very nice (small, clean, and quaint); parking was very convenient. The stage was simple. The seating is a bit cramped. The play itself was wonderful! The actors were very charismatic; they didn't skip a beat. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I like that they had "to go" cups with lid for alcoholic drinks to prevent spillage in the theatre. I wish they had more by way of snacks though.

Opening night for Silent Sky, and the experience is highly recommended. Not a bad seat in the house. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the theatre. It's easy to get caught up in streaming programs so this was a great reminder to slow down and be present and in the moment.

The silent sky is an interesting play. The basic stage is used through the entire play. There is a large half cirlce at the back they use to project scenes on to, to change to location of the scene. It is a very small cast four women and one man. The at is based in the 1900-1920 about a woman astrologer

Went to see Elf the musical this weekend. So so funny and entertaining! I laughed. The guys behind me laughed. My 7 year old laughed. Great fun for all ages! The show was a couple hours long with one intermission. It started at 7 and we stayed afterwards to grab autographs and were still out before 10pm. The actors were super friendly and outgoing. They had great talent! If you ever get the chance to go, do it! The sound was great and seats were comfortable with plenty of leg room. There was a concession stand but also drinking fountains if you need a drink at intermission and don't care to buy one. Plenty of parking around the building. Can't wait for the next show!

Ok, it's been years since I've been here, but I went tonight to the first night of "Freaky Friday". It was GREAT! The kids and adults in this show did an incredible job. The theater has also undergone extensive renovations in the last several months, which made for a more pleasant and more comfortable theatrical experience. Clean. Family friendly(check the individual play, this one was family friendly). Friendly staff. Lot and street parking. Reasonable prices. Marcy'sDinerTantrumScale 5/5- NoScreamingKids. The only negative thing I can say about the experience was that the soap in the bathrooms has a horribly strong "perfume" smell that made me choke up. I'm allergic to most scented stuff and cigarettes.

Wow! What a great show! I love the musical take on a great classic Christmas movie. This is my favorite Christmas movie and was so excited to see the Des Moines Playhouse do the musical version! What a great start to the Christmas season. The cast did an amazing job with all the singing and dancing! So great to see so much young talent do such amazing jobs! I liked the musical dance numbers for Ralphies's daydreams and the actor who played Randy really nailed his performance of that character! I enjoyed the live holiday music they had playing in the lobby before the show and the great photo setup and a friendly staff who offered to take our picture! #yelp @Yelpdsm @DMPlayhouse #dmpachristmasstorythemusical

The theater is perfect. Opening night of Tinkerbell. We were in the top row center and the seats were great. The show was light hearted and fun. The actors did a spectacular job. The costumes were awesome, the thought that went into them is amazing. The executive director stopped us on the way out to ask us questions. My friend uses a cane and was struggling to get down the steps. He said to make sure that next time we ask for accessible seats, she shouldn't have to struggle to get up and down. He also took time to introduce us to the gal that was in charge of the costumes. You know he takes great pride in everything. It was a nice event and I hope to get to attend more shows in the future. I took advantage of bottled water upstairs and it was only $1.50 each, I about fell over, so reasonable. I expected it to be $5.00 a bottle or more.

I attended a Yelp event for this review but this not my first time at the Play House. Tonight was West Side Story. I have not seen it before. Never saw the movie version or anything so was very excited to see it. The Play House was catching some heat about the casting when I first heard about the play. I had a discussion with my aunt who used to be in lots of plays at the Ingersoll dinner theater. She laughed at what people where "upset" about. "If they don't show up for auditions they are not going to get cast." "We used to have to go out and beat the bushes in DesMoines and beg for someone to play the Diana Ross character in Beehive. " I agreed with her that you got to show up to be in the show. You can tell the community is strong here. People recognize each other and greet each other like old friends. They gather for the preshow discussion and you can learn a few things about the play. Get a drink before you head in cause you can take it to your seat. The wait line for drinks gets a little long. There is only two bars for adult beverages and a lot of adults. When you sit down in the theater it's apparent that it's not really updated seats. It's a tight squeeze and no place to set your drink. So get comfy with your neighbor. The play was really good. There was a little volume issue at a couple places in the play. The music was over bearing the actors but I got the drift. Intermission is a bathroom battle. Not much for bathrooms and everyone is trying to go. Cool thing about the bar though you can order your drink ahead of time, pay, and it's waiting for you as you head back to your seat. I did this and it worked slick. The play was good, the dancing on this tiny stage was fantastic. I thought for sure a couple people were going to run into each other or off the edge. Parking is a trick, but if you get there early enough is a snap. I recommend checking out a play here.

The Dsm Playhouse is so inviting! We've been to tons of the kids series plays in the past. More recently we saw the Adam's Family & last nights West Side Story. The choreography in West Side Story was stellar! We were so impressed with how well the choreography came together! Blown away by some of the voices highlighted in beautiful music. Drinks & snacks available. Comfortable seating. Bravo to the playhouse for great theatre work!

I love this Playhouse. Each year they put on some really fun and kid friendly shows. From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to The Little Mermaid to Miss Neville is Missing. These are just fun, diverse shows that completely enthrall kids and even adults who have not grown up yet. I also love the ability to snack and drink in the theater. This helps parents by providing another tool to use to keep kids sugared up and attentive. And for the adults who want to just kick back and relax, you can order a pick me up cocktail or three. And with the reasonable prices for concession such as $2 for bottle water or pop, you can definitely have three or more cocktails and still have money to take an Uber home if your significant other also decided to partake in the affordable refreshments.

Amazing! We just saw Elf the Musical there and we were blown away. The talent was extraordinary. We didn't quite know what to expect and we parked in the parking lot which is actually in the back of the building and offers free parking. We were a little confused as we didn't know we were supposed to go upstairs to the main theater and noticed a few other people wandering around down there as well until somebody came and showed us the way. They have a small concession area where you can buy a few select drinks. If you want to take them into the theater, you have to purchase a special cup with a lid for $3 which you can take home and reuse. If I remember correctly the pop was $2, beer and wine were $6, and bottled water was $1.50. They also had a basket of candy which I believe was also $1.50. Before the show there was also entertainment out in the front lobby. We are definitely excited to go again!

This is a fabulous venue for you culture needs. The shows are varied and the talent can be stunning! The tickets are affordable and buying for multiple shows makes it even more so. This is community theater done right, executed well and run by a dedicated staff. This feels local with the talent expectation of a much bigger city. It is an integral player in the Des Moines and Central Iowa art scene.

I had never been to a play at the Des Moines Playhouse, only special events. The children's play I attended was not on the main stage, but a smaller one downstairs, which I did not even know existed. It was very small but the size makes sense so that little ones can easily see. That being said, it wasn't easy to see from the far right of the stage and there were chunks of the stage the kids I brought could not see. Luckily, the seats were not all full and we moved down a few seats within our row and they got a better view of the action. The play was an hour total with a fifteen-minute intermission at the thirty minute mark which was good for their attention spans and bladders. Along with programs they handed out paper so kids could get the actor's autographs after the production. The cast went outside to talk to the kids, pose for photos and sign autographs. It was cute to see the excitement from both groups. Overall it was an intimate space and not a bad deal for something different that kids can enjoy. The only downfall was the lack of diversity. From the cast to the stage crew and the audience there was very little diversity and it made me sad that kids of color would have a hard time feeling welcome or seeing themselves as possible actors on that stage.

"Ralphie saves the day!" This is a great show put on by the Des Moines Playhouse. There probably is no better musical rendition of this classic 80's beloved christmas movie. The hilarious spin on every plot twist will have you laughing within minutes. The narrator was spot on! Ryan Henzi as Ralphie is quite a delight. "Just 23 more days and it all comes down to Christmas." I'm sure will be stuck in my head for days. The "old man" did an amazing job of playing the stern and demanding father! The "old man" and Ralphies mother had a great back and forth that made it feel very believable. The boy who played Randy did an amazing job. He had that bratty little kid attitude down pat. The Santa at the mall was a great take on that classic scene that was a great addition that couldn't have gone better. You will be entertained from start to end. There is never a dull moment. They always go above and beyond here at the Des Moines Playhouse. This is one you dont want to miss! #yelp @Yelpdsm @DMPlayhouse #dmpachristmasstorythemusical

Recently saw A Chorus Line, it was wonderful! Lovely space, it's nice to see there's a commitment to updating the seats (as they are highly uncomfortable, specifically when the house is packed with audience members), and making the building safer to play in. Definitely enjoyed this production more than Rock of Ages, simply because the mics were working a lot better in this production with no static or feedback distracting from the beautiful singers voices. I was also happy to see that the casting was ethnically/racially accurate this time around as the previously produced West Side Story really broke my heart with the lack of Latinos for the Puerto Rican roles and the awfully stereotypical accents that were not necessary to use. Great comeback in professionalism from this gem of a performing arts venue.

Update. At intermission of Billy Elliot first half was great. The Playhouse provides great theater with local talent, and tonight even a world premiere event watching "Choice". A great brand new comedy. Give the Playhouse a try and you will fall asleep n love with the stories they share. The sound was perfect and the acting was amazing. I was wisped away to the scene to become an onlooker in the corner. You'll have a great time.

Loving community theater often requires a certain taste which many don't have, but this theater has a flavor for everyone. From kids shows to full on adult mainstage musicals, this place has been doing theater right for 100 years. The updates that they have and have been adding are neccessary and don't take away the past from the building which I love. Folks, you won't find bad theater here. MARK MY WORDS. Ticket prices are a bit outrageous though... but the shows are often worth it.

My first time at the Des Moines Playhouse was rousing success. I recently was able to catch the 'West Side Story'. It is great to have this local place close to me. I am excited to see a few more. This should be a must for any local that loves Theatre!

The Des Moines Playhouse is one of the largest community theater's in the country! The actual theater is beautiful and has wonderful sound! I have seen 2 productions here, To Kill a Mockingbird and last night's show One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Both productions were pretty amazing for a community theater! Great stage set ups, lights, and most important ACTING! The play house has comfortable seating and their is not a bad seat in the house. Lots of bathrooms, full bar for intermission or pre or post show drinks! World class productions and a small town price!

I had the pleasure to see the Billy Elliot Musical last weekend, and have been humming "Solidarity" and "Electricity" since. :-) The talented young cast showed an extremely impressive performance, especially Billy, convincingly covering a wide emotional range, all showing both great dancing as well as acting and singing skills . Enjoyed it very much! Kudos to all the kids who've overcome the stereotypes and just followed their dreams. I sure hope they'll come up with a special award for the Billys, given that it's certainly among the most demanding and challenging roles for a young actor. The Des Moines Community Playhouse is a nice theater, easy to reach and everything well equipped. The pre-event show was quite informative and helped understanding the context of the musical. The staff was very friendly and seating in the main area was comfortable with sufficient leg room. Overall, a great experience and highly recommended.

We went to see Elf on opening night. This was not only my first time at the Des Moines Playhouse, it was also my first community theater experience. I was very impressed!! The sets, the costumes, the acting, the singing, and the dancing were all very professional!! There's a parking lot behind the theater and lots of street parking too. Having never been here, we entered at the ticket office. The staff members were friendly and quick to answer questions. Seating starts 30 minutes before the show but the consessions were open when we got there about 40 minutes before showtime. Apparently the mainstage theater has been recently remodeled. Because of this, only drinks with lids are allowed inside. You can purchase a $3 cup to use and you get $1 off refills. You can even use the cup for beer/wine/mixed drinks!! The line during intermission gets long at the restrooms and concessions, but we made it back to our seats with plenty of time. Tip-- use the girl's restroom downstairs. It has more stalls and a shorter line.

After sitting, had to remove a star. I am 6'4 and hate how these venues always put in seating like it's a discount airline. Just a little leg room would be amazing.

Local theatre at its best. Every seat is great, intimate and cast is always awesome! I really like the ask the actor and discussion before the show. Cast members will come out after for q & a. You can enjoy a beverage or a snack from local businesses in sitting area. Just love having this as an option.

I've been to the playhouse many times and have had great experiences at every one that I can remember. The play I saw most recently was their holiday classic Willy Wonka. I liked their adaptation of this play and thought that the songs were really good. Another thing that I thought was unique was that (spoiler alert?) their Charlie was a girl. The staff is very accommodating and friendly. My family has season tickets so sometimes we aren't able to go to the original day we were booked for, when this happens they have always gotten us seats on another day so that we can enjoy the play. The set and costumes always look like they put a lot of effort in them and are always cool to see. My only negative would be that some of the food is overpriced but you don't come to the play to eat so it's not the hugest deal for me. Overall I look forward to coming back and seeing more plays here.

Just attended the show of The Little Mermaid with my grand daughter and fiends. It was outstanding in costumes, set and actors. This would stand up to any production you would might see in any major city. Please see this show it is for all ages and very entertaining.

The time is now Des Moines to support your arts community! The current offering of Young Frankenstein is a must and has outstanding talent both in singing and acting talent. In the wake of 'King Donald' attempting to make draconian cuts to the American arts scene, it's time for the foot soldiers in Iowa to support a great establishment like the Playhouse!

Just experienced a musical here for the first time since I was just a wee one! Great experience! The playhouse is very modern with plenty of space and not a bad seat in the house. The quality of the performances is what sells this community theater, though. The actors seem to put a lot of effort into their work, which makes it 100x more enjoyable for the audience! Great date night idea. Good prices. Plenty of parking. Check it out!

Back in the day I did several plays here and it became my second home. The stages they have are amazing and the staff puts their full into every show. If you are a starting out actor I recommend this place for sure. Its what got me started in Theater.

What a pearl we have here in Des Moines! The talented folks who give so many hours of their time for all of our community to enjoy really are to be commended! I saw "Les Miserables" a few months back, and it was absolutely thrilling! The set design was astounding, and the talent that brought that story to life were brilliant!!! Please take the time to check out this historic local theater. There are education classes/camps available to instill and develop a love for the arts in young ones as well. The Playhouse is a special treasure in Des Moines, for certain!