Men on Boats

The year: 1869. The crew: a maniacally talkative youth, an old Civil War vet who doesn’t like people, an overexcited Brit, and a hunter who wears only beaver skins, to name just a few. Led by John Wesley Powell, a one-armed crazy-faced explorer with an excitable soul, this motley bunch faces treacherous Colorado River rapids and the unexplored American frontier. Governed by ambition, hunger, and downright insanity, they must decide when to press on and when to give in to the dangers of exploration.

Note: This play contains adult language.

A preshow talk is offered 30 minutes prior to curtain.

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.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Theatre:
Signature Series in the Studio Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours including 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
Note: This play contains adult language. 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.
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In the News

Interview with Cate Miller and Erin Carter Williams Smith, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, Feb. 5, 2025

Feature, Grand View University website, Feb. 11, 2025

Review, Little Village, Feb. 11, 2025

Company

  • Hall

    Michael Beasley

    Hall
  • Old Shady

    Mary Bricker

    Old Shady
  • Hawkins / Dramaturg

    Emma Dahle

    Hawkins / Dramaturg
  • William Dunn

    Amanda Jackson

    William Dunn
  • Seneca Howland / Johnson

    Saige Mayfield

    Seneca Howland / Johnson
  • John Wesley Powell

    Cate Miller

    John Wesley Powell
  • Frank Goodman

    Laura Nielsen

    Frank Goodman
  • John Colton Sumner

    Caitlin Potter

    John Colton Sumner
  • OG Howland / Just Jim

    Erin Carter Williams Smith

    OG Howland / Just Jim
  • Bradley

    Jessie Worden

    Bradley
  • Director

    Kristin Larson

    Director
  • Scenic Designer

    Benjamin Kramer

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Sam Stephen

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Lo Stone

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Korey Williams

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Director

    Toni Farris

    Assistant Director
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Ellie Wellman

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • The cast of Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Amanda Jackson (left) and Cate Miller in Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • (Left to right) Emma Dahle, Michael Beasley, Erin Carter Williams Smith, and Saige Mayfield in Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Saige Mayfield (left) and Erin Carter Williams Smith in Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Jessie Worden (left) and Mary Bricker in Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • The cast of Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Mar. 2, 2025
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents Men on Boats
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse presents Men on Boats, Feb. 7-Mar. 2, 2025.  Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515.277.6261, and at The Playhouse ticket office. Men on Boats is sponsored by Bankers Trust and is presented in the newly renovated Studio Theatre.

The year: 1869. The crew: a maniacally talkative youth, an old Civil War vet who doesn't like people, an overexcited Brit, and a hunter who wears only beaver skins, to name just a few. Led by John Wesley Powell, a one-armed crazy-faced explorer with an excitable soul, this motley bunch faces treacherous Colorado River rapids and the unexplored American frontier. Governed by ambition, hunger, and downright insanity, they must decide when to press on and when to give in to the dangers of exploration. Note: This play contains adult language.

The Playhouse cast includes Michael Beasley, Mary Bricker, Emma Dahle, Amanda Jackson, Saige Mayfield, Cate Miller, Laura Nielsen, Caitlin Potter, Erin Carter Williams Smith, and Jessie Worden. Men on Boats is directed by Kristin Larson with scenic design by Benjamin Kramer, costume design by Jessica Van Essen, and lighting design by Sam Stephen.

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. 

Men on Boats Performances
Feb. 7-Mar.2, 2025
7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays
2:00 PM Sundays
A preshow talk is offered 30 minutes prior to curtain

The IRIS Sensation Team will provide audio description for the 2:00 PM, Sunday, Feb. 16, performance. The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations with advanced notice. These services are free and reasonable accommodations will be made. Requests should be made through The Playhouse ticket office. Closed captioning is available using the GalaPro app.

Men On Boats Tickets 
Tickets start at $29.00
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours: Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 90 minutes prior curtain on show days

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Show Credits

By Jaclyn Backhaus • Produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing LLC • www.broadwaylicensing.com