Escaping the Labyrinth

Bud Schlieman, an average young American fueled by a passion for mythology, is surprised when he discovers that all the Greek gods and goddesses still exist and live undercover throughout the world. After falling madly in love with Dee, a waitress who is secretly the goddess Artemis, Bud spends the rest of his life searching for the one who got, well, ran away. Travel through time with the WORLD PREMIERE of this romantic comedy.

Escaping the Labyrinth is part of the AACT NewPlayFest. It is not part of the season ticket, however season ticket holders get to purchase tickets ahead of the public and at a discount.

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

Three ways to see Escaping the Labyrinth

In-person: Oct. 15-24, 2021

Opening night livestream: 7:30 PM, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021

Video-on-Demand: Available beginning Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, through Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021

Video-on-demand (VOD) guidance

  • When you order VOD, you will receive a link in the Your Confirmation email that comes from djacobson@dmplayhouse.com. (Check your junk/spam folder as it sometimes ends up there.) Once you start viewing you have 24 hours to complete the video.
  • The video can be cast to your smart TV if your TV can accept casting. (The newer models do.) Or if you have ROKU or Chromecast, they too can accept your casting.
  • There are three cameras in The Playhouse’s John Viars Theatre. While there are some varied angles, there are no movie/Hamilton on Disney+ close-ups. This is not a film; it is a recording of a live theatre production.

Our safety guide has been updated and reflects these main changes.

  1. Masks are required for performances of Escaping the Labyrinth regardless of vaccine status. Volunteers and guests who do not comply will not be admitted and tickets or tuition will be refunded.
  2. The Playhouse will seat at full capacity if demand warrants.
  3. The Playhouse will make adjustments where possible at the time of the performance for those who prefer greater seating distance from other guests.
  4. Seating will begin at 7:00 PM for evening shows and 1:30 PM for the Sunday matinee. A preshow talk will be offered in the West Lobby starting 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Please note: The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests and as such we are monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines, and restrictions to which we are subject. Based on CDC and state guidelines at the time of your event, protocols may include mask enforcement, social distancing, or more. Volunteers and guests who do not comply with Playhouse policies will not be admitted and guest tickets will be refunded. Click here to download our full safety guide updated Aug. 31, 2021.

Sponsored by

Mary & Russ Marshall
Mark & Darlene Pullen

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
90 minutes; performed without 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

dsm magazine, Oct. 5, 2021

The Des Moines Register, Oct. 14, 2021

Broadway World review, Oct. 20, 2021

Des Musicals podcast interview with playwright Thomas S. Hischak, Oct. 29, 2021

Company

  • Julian

    Clifton Antoine

    Julian
  • Bud

    Nick Cornelison

    Bud
  • Paula

    Shelby Dale

    Paula
  • Hester

    Dottie Flener

    Hester
  • Old Bud

    Jim Meade

    Old Bud
  • Sarge

    Madison Ray

    Sarge
  • Dr. Valency

    Ken Reams

    Dr. Valency
  • Herman

    Tyler Robinson

    Herman
  • Manos

    Don Rothweiler

    Manos
  • Dee

    Jillian Traskos

    Dee
  • Director / Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Director / Artistic Director
  • Scenic Designer

    Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Chris Hanian

    Lighting Designer
  • Sound Designer

    Mark Toebben

    Sound Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Allyson Braun

    Properties Designer
  • Assistant Director

    Toni K. Farris

    Assistant Director
  • Assistant Properties Designer

    Eileen Diaz

    Assistant Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Jenna Darsee

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Sam Amadeo

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Playwright

    Thomas S. Hischak

    Playwright

Photos/Video

  • Bud Schlieman (Nick Cornelison, center) discovers Greek gods are living among us (clockwise from left, Clifton Antoine as Julian, Dottie Flener as Hester, Jillian Traskos as Dee, Madison Ray as Sarge, Ken Reams as Dr. Valency) in Escaping the Labyrinth, Oct. 15-24, 2021, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Bud Schlieman (Nick Cornelison) pursues a waitress (Jillian Traskos) he believes to be a Greek goddess in disguise in Escaping the Labyrinth, Oct. 15-24, 2021, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Bud Schlieman (Nick Cornelison, center) discovers Greek gods are living among us (clockwise from left, Clifton Antoine as Julian, Dottie Flener as Hester, Jillian Traskos as Dee, Madison Ray as Sarge, Ken Reams as Dr. Valency) in Escaping the Labyrinth, Oct. 15-24, 2021, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Bud Schlieman (Nick Cornelison, center) discovers Greek gods are living among us (clockwise from left, Clifton Antoine as Julian, Dottie Flener as Hester, Jillian Traskos as Dee, Madison Ray as Sarge, Ken Reams as Dr. Valency) in Escaping the Labyrinth, Oct. 15-24, 2021, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Bud Schlieman (Nick Cornelison) pursues a waitress (Jillian Traskos) he believes to be a Greek goddess in disguise in Escaping the Labyrinth, Oct. 15-24, 2021, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo
  • Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Oct. 24, 2021
Subject: Des Moines Playhouse World Premiere of Escaping the Labyrinth
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

 

The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 103rd season, presents the world premiere of a romantic comedy worthy of the (Greek) gods, Escaping the Labyrinth by Thomas S. Hischak, Oct. 15-24, 2021. Tickets for in-person performances, opening night livestream, and video-on-demand are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Escaping the Labyrinth is sponsored by AACT NewPlayFest, Mary & Russ Marshall, and Mark & Darlene Pullen.

 

Bud Schlieman, an average young American fueled by a passion for mythology, is surprised when he discovers that all the Greek gods and goddesses still exist and live undercover throughout the world. After falling madly in love with Dee, a waitress who is secretly the goddess Artemis, Bud spends the rest of his life searching for the one who got, well, ran away. Travel through time with the world premiere of this romantic comedy.

 

The Playhouse cast includes Clifton Antoine, Nick Cornelison, Shelby Dale, Dottie Flener, Jim Meade, Madison Ray, Ken Reams, Tyler Robinson, Don Rothweiler, and Jillian Traskos. Escaping the Labyrinth is directed by Katy Merriman.

 

Playwright Hischak will be in attendance on opening night and will be in conversation with the audience immediately following the performance.

 

The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests and as such is monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines, and restrictions to which the theatre is subject. Guests will be required to correctly wear a mask at Escaping the Labyrinth. Volunteers and guests who do not comply with Playhouse policies will not be admitted and guest tickets will be refunded.

 

AACT (the American Association of Community Theatre) helps theatres thrive. AACT provides networking, resources, and support to suit the needs of those involved in community theatre. AACT represents the interests of thousands of theatres across the United States and its territories, as well as theatre companies with the U.S. Military Services overseas.

 

AACT is proud to include The Des Moines Playhouse as a producing theatre in AACT NewPlayFest 2022. AACT NewPlayFest is an initiative by AACT to address the critical need for new, high-quality plays for community theatre audiences around the globe. Many theatres across the country applied to be a producing theatre. More than 280 playwrights submitted scripts. Six theatres and six scripts were selected for full productions. The AACT NewPlayFest world premiere production of Escaping the Labyrinth by Thomas S. Hischak is made possible in part by a grant from the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation and is sponsored by Dramatic Publishing Company (DPC). DPC publishes AACT NewPlayFest winning plays in anthologies and licenses future productions of the winning scripts.

 

The Playhouse vision, as Iowa's largest producing theatre, is to be a vital part of a collaborative, energized, and engaged community that values art in its culture, particularly because of the contributions of high-quality avocational, educational, and entertaining theatre experiences. 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 more information about Escaping the Labyrinth and The Playhouse, visit dmplayhouse.com or call 515.277.6261.

 

Escaping the Labyrinth Performances: Oct. 15-24, 2021
7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays
2:00 PM Sundays

 

Escaping the Labyrinth Tickets
Tickets start at $29
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312

 

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Show Credits

By Thomas S. Hischak

AACT NewPlayFest, American Association of Community Theatre