Calendar Girls

With heartache can come good. When Annie loses her husband to leukemia, she and her best friend, Chris, decide to raise money for the hospital by making a calendar… in the nude. The biggest challenge? Convincing their friends to drop everything for a good cause. Based on a true story of 11 Women’s Institute members, Calendar Girls is about letting go, accepting love, and giving yourself permission to enjoy life.

Please join us in the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.

Our safety guide has been updated and reflects these main changes: The Playhouse no longer requires masks to attend a performance. However, masks are welcomed! If it makes you more comfortable, please feel free to wear a mask. We understand that individual healthcare is a matter of personal practices and choices.

We do ask that:

  • if you are feeling sick, or
  • have a positive test, or
  • have had exposure to someone who has COVID

please call the ticket office and reschedule your performance. Our refund and exchange policy remains in effect: You have up to 7 days following your performance date to request an exchange or refund.

Please note: The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests. Should circumstances change once again, mask mandates return, or the CDC alters their recommendations, we will follow the most stringent guidelines. Click here to read our changes as of Mar. 2, 2022.

Note: Streaming and video-on-demand rights are not available for Calendar Girls. This show will be in-person only.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

In the News

Interview with Kathy Pingel, We Are Iowa Local 5 News, June 2, 2022

Broadway World review, June 8, 2022

Company

  • Lady Cravenshire / Brenda

    Karen Andrew

    Lady Cravenshire / Brenda
  • John

    Jim Benda

    John
  • Cora

    Mary Bricker

    Cora
  • Jessie

    Debra Garner

    Jessie
  • Celia

    Brooke Guinn

    Celia
  • Lawrence

    Jacob Hayworth

    Lawrence
  • Ruth

    Melissa Kellar

    Ruth
  • Chris

    Jolene Laning

    Chris
  • Elaine / Stage Manager

    Emma Norman

    Elaine / Stage Manager
  • Annie

    Preshia Paulding

    Annie
  • Rod

    Charlie Reese

    Rod
  • Marie

    Tammy Sposeto

    Marie
  • Liam

    Oliver Thrun

    Liam
  • Director

    Kathy Pingel

    Director
  • Scenic Designer

    Tom Hansen

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Alex Snodgrass

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Jen Green

    Properties Designer
  • Composer

    Christopher Powell

    Composer
  • Dramaturg / Production Intern

    Noah Hackbart

    Dramaturg / Production Intern
  • Psychological Dramaturg

    Dr. Caitlin A.J. Powell

    Psychological Dramaturg
  • Assistant Director

    Nancy Darsee

    Assistant Director
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Joy Mielke

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • (Left to right) Brooke Guinn, Melissa Kellar, Mary Bricker (front), Jolene Laning, and Preshia Paulding are Calendar Girls, June 3-19, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Debra L. Garner, Preshia Paulding, Mary Bricker, Melissa Kellar, Brooke Guinn, and Jolene Laning are Calendar Girls, June 3-19, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Calendar Girls features (left to right) Karen Andrew, Tammy Sposeto, Melissa Kellar, Brooke Guinn, and Debra L. Garner. Calendar Girls is June 3-19, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Jolene Laning, Brooke Guinn, Debra L. Garner, Mary Bricker, and Preshia Paulding are Calendar Girls, June 3-19, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Mary Bricker, Debra L. Garner, Brooke Guinn, Melissa Kellar, Preshia Paulding, and Jolene Laning are Calendar Girls, June 3-19, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The Calendar Girls cast features, left to right, Jolene Laning, Brooke Guinn, Melissa Kellar, Debra Garner, Mary Bricker, and Preshia Paulding. Calendar Girls is June 3-19, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: Calendar Girls
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 103rd season, presents Calendar Girls, June 3-19, 2022. IRIS's Sensation Team will provide live audio description for the performance Sunday, June 12, and an ASL interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, June 19, 2022. Tickets for in-person performances are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Calendar Girls is sponsored by AARP Iowa.

With heartache can come good. When Annie loses her husband to leukemia, she and her best friend, Chris, decide to raise money for the hospital by making a calendar… in the nude. The biggest challenge? Convincing their friends to drop everything for a good cause. Based on a true story of 11 Women’s Institute members, Calendar Girls is about letting go, accepting love, and giving yourself permission to enjoy life.

Audiences are invited to come to the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.

The Playhouse cast, under the direction of Kathy Pingel, includes Karen Andrew, Jim Benda, Mary Bricker, Debra Garner, Brooke Guinn, Jacob Hayworth, Melissa Kellar, Jolene Laning, Emma Norman, Preshia Paulding, Charlie Reese, Tammy Sposeto, and Oliver Thurn. The design team is Tom Hansen, scenic designer; Jessica Van Essen, costume designer; Alex Snodgrass, lighting designer; and Jen Green, properties designer.

Calendar Girls is presented in the John Viars Theatre. The Playhouse no longer requires masks; however masks are welcomed.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For up-to-date information and general guidelines, visit The Playhouse website at dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.974.5354.

Calendar Girls
Performances: 7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2:00 PM Sundays, June 3-19, 2022
Sensation Team audio description for visually impaired: 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 12, 2022
ASL interpreted performance: 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 19, 2022
Preshow talk in the west lobby 30 minutes prior to curtain
Tickets start at $29
Streaming and video-on-demand are not available for Calendar Girls.
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com

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Show Credits

Based on the Miramax motion picture by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth

Calendar Girls is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel Frank, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Sponsored by

  • AARP Iowa