Junie B. Jones in Boo… and I Mean It!
October 16, 2026 - November 1, 2026 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Everyone’s favorite first grader, Junie B. Jones, has a problem. She’s a bit afraid of Halloween! What if witches and monsters are really real? What if bats really nest in your hair? And what exactly IS candy corn? but of course, Junie B. has a plan to win all the games and prizes at the school carnival, hoping that will give her the courage she needs. Will she conquer her fears and enjoy Halloween?
This show is part of the Kate Goldman Family Series and is presented in the Studio Theatre with performances being 7:00 PM Fridays and 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays.
Taste of Norway
October 17, 2026 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Valley High School
3650 Woodland Ave
The annual Taste of Norway features baked goods, local artists and craftspeople, vendors with everything from books to clothes to soaps, and music. Presented by Daughters of Norway – Eva Nansen Lodge #46.
Annie
December 4, 2026 - December 27, 2026 - All Day at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
This December, Annie takes center stage in a dazzling production filled with showstopping numbers, lively choreography, and the timeless story of a plucky orphan who refuses to give up. Annie is determined to find the parents who left her at the orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. She eventually finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a loveable mutt named Sandy. This heartwarming adventure reminds us that hope can shine in even the toughest times.
Performances for this show are 7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays; No shows Dec. 24 and 25; 1:00 PM only Dec. 27
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
January 8, 2027 - January 24, 2027 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Morris likes lots of things: doing puzzles, painting pictures, pretending to be an astronaut, and wearing a tangerine dress from his school’s dress-up box because it “reminds him of tigers, the sun, and his mother’s hair.” but some of his classmates think boys can’t wear dresses because, well, they’re boys. with his vivid imagination and space-animal friends, Morris travels the galaxy in search of an answer to the all-important question: “Do astronauts wear dresses?” Morris’ journey is a vibrant celebration of the courage it takes to be your own person and the joy found in staying true to yourself.
This show is part of the Kate Goldman Family Series and is presented in the Studio Theatre with performances being 7:00 PM Fridays and 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays.
The Lifespan of a Fact
February 5, 2027 - February 28, 2027 - All Day at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Jim Fingal, a young fact-checker working for a dwindling magazine, has one weekend to check legendary writer John D’agata’s essay. If all goes well, the essay can save the magazine, and Jim can please his demanding editor-in-chief. But Jim quickly discovers a problem: many of the essay’s details were made up. As the deadline looms, the two, writer and fact-checker, come head-to-head in a comedic yet gripping battle over facts versus truth.
Performances for this show are 7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays.
Anne of Green Gables
March 5, 2027 - March 14, 2027 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Wide-eyed, talkative orphan Anne Shirley arrives on Prince Edward Island to the surprise of Matthew Cuthbert and his sister, Marilla, who were expecting a boy to help on the farm. But Anne wins over the Cuthberts and all of Avonlea with her irrepressible spirit and imagination. Generations of readers have adored the best-selling novel, now brought to life in a musical tale of love and belonging for all ages.
This performance is a part of the Kate Goldman family series with performances being 7:00 PM Fridays and 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays.
Les Misérables
April 9, 2027 - May 2, 2027 - All Day at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
By arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh, The Des Moines Playhouse presents a new production of Boublil & Schönberg’s Les Misérables.
In 19th Century France, ex-convict Jean Valjean breaks parole despite his dedication to leading an honest life. Javert, an obsessive policeman, dedicates his life to catching Valjean and bringing him to justice. Amidst poverty, revolution, and social injustice, the men’s struggle intertwines with broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. One of the world’s most popular musicals, Les Misérables, features well-loved songs including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” and many more.
Performances for this show are 7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays.
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
May 7, 2027 - May 23, 2027 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Long ago there lived three fierce warriors. From the Kingdom of Backyard came Rock; from the Empire of Mom’s Home Office came Paper, and from a messy village in the Junk Drawer Realm came Scissors. They were the strongest, smartest, and fastest in all the land. Though they searched far and wide for worthy opponents, no one could beat them…until they met each other and a musical battle royale began to see who would come out on top!
This show is part of the Kate Goldman Family Series and is presented in the Studio Theatre with performances being 7:00 PM Fridays and 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays.
Amadeus
June 4, 2027 - June 20, 2027 - All Day at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Court composer Antonio Salieri chases fame while questioning his God: Why is he, devout Salieri, condemned to mediocrity while a foul-mouthed wild child, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is blessed with genius? consumed by jealousy, Salieri devises a scheme to bring down his rical. Amadeus is a Tony Award-winning story of music, myth, and amdness.
Performances for this show are 7:30 PM Wednesdays thorugh Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Mean Girls
July 9, 2027 - July 25, 2027 - All Day at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing has prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of suburbia. Meet The Plastics: Regina, Gretchen, and Karen, North Shore high’s ruling clique. when Cady devises a plan to end their reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.
Performances for this show are 7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays.
