Charlotte’s Web

Wilbur, the runt of the litter, desperately wants to avoid the butcher. With the help of Charlotte, a loyal spider with a flair for writing, and the scavenger rat, Templeton, Wilbur might have a chance at a new life. With unforgettable characters, Charlotte’s Web is a timeless story about friendship.

Three ways to see Charlotte’s Web

In-person preview: Mar. 3, 2022

In-person: Mar. 4-20, 2022
ADDED SHOW: 7:00 PM, Thursday, Mar. 17, 2022
Please note this show is being presented in the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre and will be sold at full capacity as demand warrants.

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

  1. 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.
  2. There will be no autographs after the show.

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.

 

Video-on-Demand: Thursday, Mar. 17-Sunday, Mar. 20, 2022

Video-on-demand (VOD) guidance

  • When you order VOD, you will receive a link in the Your Confirmation email. 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.
  • 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.

 

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Click here to download the Charlotte’s Web P Bill Jr.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays
School Matinees:
9:30 AM & Noon, Tuesday, Mar. 8, and Thursday, Mar. 10, 2022
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
Run Time:
85 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse children’s theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.

In the News

Broadway World review, Mar. 19, 2022

Company

  • Narrator / Second Member / Photographer

    Michael Beasley

    Narrator / Second Member / Photographer
  • John Arable

    Adam Beilgard

    John Arable
  • Second Spectator / First Fairgoer / Second Spider

    Declan Beilgard

    Second Spectator / First Fairgoer / Second Spider
  • Edith Zuckerman

    Payton Boesch

    Edith Zuckerman
  • Templeton

    Miles Burrell

    Templeton
  • Narrator / First Member / Voice on Loudspeaker / Crowd

    Ruth Christie

    Narrator / First Member / Voice on Loudspeaker / Crowd
  • Lamb / Judge

    Vivian Rosalie Coleman

    Lamb / Judge
  • Gander / Judge

    Blake Dreckman

    Gander / Judge
  • Homer Zuckerman

    Kilian Farrell

    Homer Zuckerman
  • First Spectator / Second Fairgoer / First Spider

    Ella Frost

    First Spectator / Second Fairgoer / First Spider
  • Martha Arable

    Angela Gallagher

    Martha Arable
  • Announcer / Third Spider

    Katelyn Gallagher

    Announcer / Third Spider
  • Goose / Judge

    Aya Haidar

    Goose / Judge
  • Avery Arable

    Zach Jordan

    Avery Arable
  • Narrator / Third Member / Reporter

    Gbomi Kayode

    Narrator / Third Member / Reporter
  • Uncle / Third Fairgoer

    Xavier Leonard

    Uncle / Third Fairgoer
  • Charlotte

    Isabella Nielsen

    Charlotte
  • Fern Arable

    Chloe O'Neil

    Fern Arable
  • Sheep / Judge

    Luke Parker

    Sheep / Judge
  • Lurvy

    Jackson Ransom

    Lurvy
  • Wilbur

    Charlotte Rempe

    Wilbur
  • Director

    Chelsea Haaland

    Director
  • Scenic Designer

    Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Sound Designer

    Meredith Toebben

    Sound Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Ellen Harvey

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Jenny Throckmorton

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Ellie Chungath

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Wilbur the pig (Charlotte Rempe, left) meets Charlotte the spider (Isabella Nielsen) in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse features (left to right) Isabelle Nielsen as Charlotte the spider, Charlotte Rempe as Wilbur the pig, and Miles Burrell as Templeton the rat. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Templeton the rat (Miles Burrell, left) finds words for Charlotte the spider (Isabella Nielsen) to spin in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Charlotte the spider (Isabella Nielsen) spins her web high in the fair tent in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Templeton the rat (Miles Burrell) finds an egg in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Wilbur the pig (Charlotte Rempe, left) is visited by Fern Arable (Chloe O’Neil) in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Templeton the rat (Miles Burrell, left) finds words for Charlotte the spider (Isabella Nielsen) to spin in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Charlotte the spider (Isabella Nielsen) spins her web high in the fair tent in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Charlotte Rempe is Wilbur, aka Zuckerman’s Famous Pig, in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Wilbur the pig (Charlotte Rempe, right) is given a treat by Fern Arable (Chloe O’Neil) in Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Mar. 20, 2022
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents Charlotte’s Web
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515.974.5358

The Kate Goldman Children's Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 27th season, presents E.B. White's Charlotte’s Web, Mar. 4-20, 2022. Tickets for in-person performances as well as a video-on-demand option are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Charlotte’s Web is sponsored by Nationwide.

Wilbur, the runt of the litter, desperately wants to avoid the butcher. With the help of Charlotte, a loyal spider with a flair for writing, and the scavenger rat, Templeton, Wilbur might have a chance at a new life. With unforgettable characters, Charlotte’s Web is a timeless story about friendship.

The Playhouse cast, under the direction of Chelsea Haaland, includes Michael Beasley, Adam Beilgard, Declan Beilgard, Payton Boesch, Miles Burrell, Ruth Christie, Vivian Rosalie Coleman, Blake Dreckman, Kilian Farrell, Ella Frost, Angela Gallagher, Katelyn Gallagher, Aya Haidar, Zach Jordan, Gbomi Kayode, Xavier Leonard, Isabella Nielsen, Chloe O'Neil, Luke Parker, Jackson Ransom, and Charlotte Rempe. The design team is Nicholas Amundson, scenic designer; Jessica Van Essen, costume designer; Meredith Toebben, sound designer; Virgil Kleinhesselink, lighting designer; and Ellen Harvey, properties designer.

Masks are required for all guests ages 2 and up, regardless of vaccination status, for Charlotte's Web. Guests who do not comply will not be admitted and tickets will be refunded. The Playhouse will seat at full capacity as demand warrants. 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.

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.

Charlotte’s Web

In-person performances: 7:00 p.m. Fridays, 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, Mar. 4-20, 2022
Tickets: $19 Adults, $14 Students
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com

Video-on-demand: Mar. 17-20, 2022
Access: $15
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com

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Show Credits

Based on the book by E.B. White

Adapted by Joseph Robinette

Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, IL.

Sponsored by

  • Nationwide