dsmWeekly - January 29, 2025

Jake Odmark and Danielle Wade get cozy in "Shucked," on stage through Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center. (Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)

ARTS & CULTURE

With 'Shucked' and awe, corny show grows on you

By Michael Morain

At the start of “Shucked,” when the whole denim-clad cast hits the Des Moines Civic Center stage to sing about corn, you almost feel a little sorry for them. Here they are in a slick show from New York, doing a kickline routine with ears of corn in their hands and tryin’ their gosh-darn best to look like farmers while more than 2,500 Iowans — honest to goodness Iowans — look on. We politely applauded after the first number on Tuesday night, but I couldn’t help but think of those poor suckers who sell refrigerators to the folks up north who have dozens of words for “snow.” It’s hard to impress experts.

But like real farmers, the actors just keep at it. And eventually, their persistence pays off. After they empty their grain bin full of corny puns in the first song, called “Corn” (duh), they move into even goofier territory and just keep firing off jokes — hick jokes, city slicker jokes, sex jokes, bathroom jokes, dead grandma jokes, you name it. There’s such a high yield of groanable one-liners that, statistically, one of them is bound to make you laugh sooner or later. When it does, you might hear yourself chuckle. And then you’ll hear that chuckle ripple through the crowd like a breeze across a field. And then you’ll just relax, surrender to the show’s shameless charms and settle in for a Jolly Time. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

The story is predictable — you’ll smell each twist like rain from two counties over — but it gets the job done. When the fine people of rural Cob County notice their crops are dying, a plucky young woman named Maizy (Danielle Wade, channeling early Dolly Parton) ventures out to the big wide world to find help. In Tampa, of all places, she meets a con artist posing as a podiatrist (Quinn VanAntwerp) who accompanies her back home, ticks off her hunky fiance (Jake Odmark) and tries to hoodwink the locals. (It’s worth noting the locals’ accent comes from somewhere much farther south than Keokuk or Clarinda.)

Each of the main characters gets a solo to establish their inner turmoil — and to give us a merciful break from the “Hee Haw” humor — and the actors sing them well enough to win over any crowd in Nashville or New York. Maizy’s cousin Lulu (Miki Abraham) has a set of pipes that run like a Deere. The chorus sounds good, too, but some of their lyrics get lost in the barn rafters.

But in the end, it’s not the music you’ll remember. On the way home you’ll try to recall some of the jokes that pop like kernels in hot oil, so you can share them later with your friends. Some of the daddiest dad jokes come from a dimwit named Peanut (Mike Nappi), who deserves the last word: “Remember when I peed in the pool? The lifeguard yelled so loud I almost fell in.”

Whit Ellsworth, Susan Smith, Julia Noyce and Amanda Arthur-Struss take a leap in "Ripcord." (Photo: Tallgrass Theatre Co.)

BEST BET

In ‘Ripcord,’ senior roommates squabble for space

When two women — one chipper, the other grouchy — are forced to share a room at a senior living facility, their rivalry quickly escalates in "Ripcord," David Lindsay Abaire's play at Tallgrass Theatre Co. in West Des Moines. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with additional shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. It continues through Feb. 16.

The story revolves around Abby (the grouchy one), who loses control of her sunny room when Marilyn (the chipper one) moves in. So naturally, Abby sets out to get rid of Marilyn, before their turf war digs up deeper truths hey would prefer to be keep secret.

The Week Ahead

Arcadia’s Lunar New Year, 4-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Arcadia in Polk City celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year with a pho special and festive cocktails. Bonus: Diners will receive a traditional red envelope stuffed with a prize.

Puppies' Night Out, 5-7 p.m. Friday. Paws & Pints celebrates puppies and pints with an event for owners of puppies under 8 months old. While the pups can pick on dogs their own size, owners can enjoy a free pint.

Couple Shuffle, 9 a.m. Sunday. With Valentine's Day on the horizon, Gray’s Lake hosts its annual themed race for couples and solo runners alike. There are 5K and a 10K races, and those who register by Thursday get a free shirt.

Judy Carmichael, 7 p.m. Friday. The versatile jazz singer and pianist best known for her stride keyboard style performs at the Temple Theater.

Guster, 8 p.m. Tuesday. The band’s current tour, “We Also Have Eras,” retraces its 30-year hit-making history and its latest album, “Ooh La La,” with a stop at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Audio-description "Barbie," 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Feb. 5. A special screening of the hit movie offers closed captioning and live audio description by volunteers from the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service. They'll offer play-by-play commentary ("Barbie is wearing a pink dress in a pink house.") to help those with visual impairments experience the story in all its beautiful pink glory.

Now retiring: Jim Hayes will retire as the executive director of the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center at the end of this year. The center’s board of directors has begun a search to fill the position.

Big week for bikers: RAGBRAI announced the official 2025 route during the annual reveal party on Saturday at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. Cyclists will head north to Orange City, Milford, Estherville, Forest City, Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls, Oelwein and Guttenberg for one of the ride's shortest routes ever.

Dawn Martinez Oropeza takes a turn at the lectern on Saturday at the Des Moines Art Center. (Photo: Kelsey Bigelow)

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Community leaders share their favorite poems

Think for a moment: What is one of your favorite poems? What's one that struck a chord or pulled you through a tough time?

A dozen community leaders answered those questions at the "Favorite Poem Program" on Saturday at the Des Moines Art Center, at the invitation of Poetry Palooza and CultureALL. Afterward, we asked them to summarize their remarks in just a few sentences, below.

Trevy Augustin, equity advocate, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

"As a Micronesian-American who's lived in the Midwest for most of my life, I love 'Tell Them' by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner because it's helped me better understand the beauty, love and importance of receiving gifts in the mail from your friends and family who reside in your home country. Receiving gifts from back home is not only thoughtful, it's time intentionally spent curating gifts that help the recipient stay connected to their loved ones, heritage and history despite being thousands of miles apart. I highly recommend poetry lovers to explore Jetnil-Kijiner's other work, particularly her book 'Iep Jaltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter.'"

Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director, Des Moines Art Center

“I was moved for many reasons to read the poem 'Why My Mother Made Me' from Sharon Olds' 'The Gold Cell,' the first book of poetry I ever owned, given to me by the second person I’d ever fallen in love with. Olds speaks to the beautiful and painful physicality of fundamental human experiences like desire, sexuality, motherhood and childhood. I love Olds' honesty, candor and the materiality of her writing.”

Lenny Bell, youth education and training coordinator, Evelyn K. Davis Center

"Langston Hughes' poem 'The Jester' resonates deeply with me because it captures a truth that still defines much of the African American experience: the need to mask our pain, silence our wisdom and play roles to survive in a world that often demands it. I love reading and writing poetry because it allows truth to be told beneath the surface, weaving complex emotions into words that transcend the masks we wear. Hughes’ poem reminds me of the power of poetry to reflect both the resilience and the unspoken struggles of our lives, offering a space where honesty and creativity can coexist."

Deidre DeJear, president and CEO, Oakridge Neighborhood

"I first learned Maya Angelou’s poem 'Still I Rise' in the fifth grade. At the time, I couldn’t fully grasp the journey of 'rising.' Today, the poem resonates with me in both a sobering and deeply inspiring way. While barriers are inevitable, Angelou’s words remind me of the power we have to rise above judgment, conflict and rejection. Her message restores hope and reinforces the resilience within us to transcend challenges and claim our dignity."

Richard Deming, medical director, MercyOne Cancer Center

"The poem I shared was 'The Facts of Life' by Padraig O Tuama. When I take cancer survivors on transformational journeys of challenge and discovery to mountainous landscapes around the world, I encourage them to look for three things each day: something that surprises them, something that inspires them, something that moves them. Poetry is like that for me. I'm always drawn to poems that surprise me, inspire me, or move me. Some poems move me to laughter; others move me to tears. This poem, 'The Facts of Life,' does both."

Seso Marentes, artist and community advocate

"I have had many barriers that have caused me to stop trusting others. Those barriers are now my trauma. So now I walk in fear. Every day I ask, 'What is my fear protecting me from today?' It's important to know your obstacles, otherwise how can you overcome them and learn to deal with them? I have done some amazing things in this community, even though sometimes I would have rather chosen solitude. Maya Angelou's poem 'Alone' is a human reminder that we're stronger together. To be better, you must work with others sometimes. Her poem is a weapon my inner self has accepted to fight my fears constantly.

Dawn Martinez Oropeza, executive director, Al Exito

"'A Path of Wonder' by Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian is a blessing from my teacher. Her words seem to arrive precisely when I need them — to guide, comfort and illuminate my way forward. The poem reminds me of Paramaguru Paramahansa Yogananda, who answered a sacred call to bring Kriya Yoga to the West. He left behind the school he built, the country he loved, and courageously walked the dark and uncertain path.

"In these past weeks, the poem has continued to unfold in new ways, touching different parts of my life. At a time when so many are living with soul-crushing fear, it offers a vital reminder we are not alone. It reminds me of the resilience of my Jewish and Indigenous ancestors, who endured unimaginable trials yet found ways to persevere. This poem is a reminder that in uncertainty, deep attunement will reveal the path forward."