Final Act Ensemble: 2024 Holiday Show

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

In “Easy Aces,” Ace tries to get his mother-in-law married off and out of the house. Next, Fibber McGee and Molly find a derelict jalopy in their front yard! In “The Life of Riley,” our hero thinks his mother-in-law is going to take over the house at Christmas time. The evening ends with O. Henry’s classic tale of “The Gift of the Magi.” All this plus holiday songs, live sound effects, announcer banter, and one crazy commercial!

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:
2 hours including a 10-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 Sue Franck and Ralph Bowman, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, Dec. 16, 2024

Company

  • Ann Barfels

  • Ralph Bowman

  • Katie Brooks

  • Sound Effects

    Shirley Dalby

    Sound Effects

  • Al Downey

  • Ruth Downey

  • Sue Franck

  • Barb Keck

  • Molly Ketchum

  • Vocal Director / Vocal Coach

    Elysa Koss

    Vocal Director / Vocal Coach

  • Ira Lacher

  • Hu Lundberg

  • RJ Lundgren

  • Sound Effects / Rehearsal Accompanist

    Susie McCauley

    Sound Effects / Rehearsal Accompanist

  • Mark Pullen

  • Rick Stageman

  • Marsha Szymczuk

  • Ed Truslow

  • Director

    Jerry Eisenhour

    Director
  • Accompanist

    Francine Griffith

    Accompanist

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Kill Date: Dec. 17, 2025
Subject: Des Moines Community Playhouse’s Final Act Ensemble Presents a Holiday Show
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Community Playhouse’s Final Act Ensemble presents their annual holiday program, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM, in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are $10 all ages and are available at dmplayhouse.com or by phone at 515.277.6261. 

The Final Act Ensemble’s evening of classic radio programs begins with “Easy Aces” in which Ace tries to get his mother-in-law married off and out of the house. Next, Fibber McGee and Molly find a derelict jalopy in their front yard! In “The Life of Riley,” the title character thinks his mother-in-law is going to take over the house at Christmas time. The evening ends with O. Henry’s classic tale of “The Gift of the Magi.” All this plus holiday songs, live sound effects, announcer banter, and one crazy commercial!

The cast, under the direction of Jerry Eisenhour, features 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, Rick Stageman, Marsha Szymczuk, and Ed Truslow with accompanist Francine Griffith.

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. 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.

Final Act Ensemble Holiday Show: 7:00 PM, Dec. 17, 2024
$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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