Final Act Ensemble: Fright Night

Join the Final Act Ensemble (FAE) for old-time fun this Halloween.

Start the evening with a thrilling, fright when a young lady out for an evening stroll with her boyfriend falls witness to some spooky circumstances as the full moon rises. Next comes the classic tale of “The Monkey’s Paw” and the warning to be careful what you wish for. To end, follow “The Frumples” as they search to find a lost little boy and end up finding more than they bargained for. The show features spooky, live sound effects and music, along with some truly monstrous commercials! 

The Final Act Ensemble is a troupe of performers ages 60 and older that present classic and original radio plays, including commercials and live and recorded sound effects. Click here to learn more about the Final Act Ensemble.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM
Run Time:
70 minutes, presented 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.

Company

  • Sound Effects

    Ann Barfels

    Sound Effects

  • Ralph Bowman

  • Sound Effects Assistant

    Katie Brooks

    Sound Effects Assistant
  • Sound Effects Assistant

    Al Downey

    Sound Effects Assistant

  • Ruth Downey

  • Sound Effects Assistant

    Sue Franck

    Sound Effects Assistant

  • Barb Keck

  • Sound Effects Assistant

    Molly Ketchum

    Sound Effects Assistant
  • Sound Effects Assistant

    Ira Lacher

    Sound Effects Assistant

  • Hu Lundberg

  • RJ Lundgren

  • Susie McCauley

  • Mark Pullen

  • Marsha Szymczuk

  • Ed Truslow

  • Director

    Jerry Eisenhour

    Director

Press Release

Des Moines Community Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Oct. 28, 2025
Subject: Playhouse's Final Act Ensemble Presents "Fright Night"
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

DES MOINES PLAYHOUSE RADIO TROUPE PRESENTS FRIGHT NIGHT
Halloween Radio Programs Provide Scares & Laughs

Des Moines, IA – Bring along a brave friend to hold onto as the Final Act Ensemble (FAE) radio troupe presents “Fright Night,” 7:00 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in the John Viars Theatre. Tickets are $10 for all ages and are available at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515.277.6261, or at The Playhouse ticket office.

Start the evening with a thrilling, full-moon fright with “The Curious Coed.” A young lady out for an evening stroll with her boyfriend falls witness to some spooky circumstances when the full moon rises. Next comes the classic tale of “The Monkey’s Paw” and the warning to be careful what you wish for. To end, follow “The Frumples” as they search to find a lost little boy and end up finding more than they bargained for. The show features spooky, live sound effects and music, along with some truly monstrous commercials!

The Fright Night cast includes Ann Barfels, Ralph Bowman, Katie Brooks, Shirley Dalby, Al Downey, Ruth Downey, Sue Franck, Barb Keck, Molly Ketchum, Elysa Koss, Ira Lacher, Hu Lundberg, RJ Lundgren, Susie McCauley, Mark Pullen, Marsha Szymczuk, and Ed Truslow. Final Act Ensemble is directed by Jerry Eisenhour with Francine Griffith providing accompaniment.

The Final Act Ensemble is a troupe of performers ages 60 and older that present classic and original radio plays, including commercials, along with live and recorded sound effects. In addition to performances at The Playhouse, traveling programs are available for youth, adult, and multi-generational audiences.

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.

Final Act Ensemble Fright Night Performance: 7:00 PM, Oct. 21, 2025
$10 all ages
To purchase tickets: dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261
Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312

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