In his own words, Shepard sought with this play to “destroy the idea of the American family drama”. But in his attempt to destroy the idea of the drama, he drew attention to the belief throughout the country that the American family had already been destroyed.

Indeed, pride manifests in Torch Song not as a feeling to be celebrated once a year but as a routine practice, a strength that Arnold and all queer people must regularly conjure in order to keep going in a world that is often hostile to their existence.    

Harvey Fierstein’s original iteration of Torch Song was actually three separate one act plays that premiered Off-Off-Broadway in consecutive years starting in 1977. The first was entitled The International Stud, which followed Arnold Beckhoff, a Jewish drag queen living in New York, searching for his “international stud.” He meets Ed Reiss, a bisexual teacher who struggles with what exactly he is searching for in life.

We are thrilled to “shine a light” on an organization that does so much for the Des Moines community. Their reach and impact is substantial!

A Christmas Carol production aims to challenge expectations and reinvigorate original themes for audiences of our time.

Winnifred stands with nothing to lose, ready to sell her soul for, ‘more of the same’, as Elisabeth admonishes.

“I’m not arguing for the end of the world but then again maybe I am. This one, anyway.” Alone on stage, Elizabeth Sawyer opens Jen...

A Bright New Boise, opening May 12th, is a story of faith and forgiveness in a box store. It follows Will who moves from his rural Idaho...

Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC), central Iowa’s home for award-winning theater that inspires, enlightens and entertains, is presenting....

At Iowa Stage Theatre Company, we believe that theater is a conversation, not a lecture. And while we can't gather together in one room,...

The following comes from Artistic Director Matthew McIver. I first met Jay Jagim in the summer of 2009, at the Des Moines Social Club's...

ISTC’s Production of Disgraced moved audiences and sparked conversation about our country and our lives this past May. In the program,...