There isn’t much going on in Indianola, Iowa, and its residents (ie: a handful of grindr chatters) will be the first to remind you of their bleak existence. Tallying up their stories against a quick drive around town, and their complaints are not without basis. There’s the Super Walmart on Jefferson Way, a super salty Mexican restaurant (La Casa, just drink more water,) and a stroll further down Highway 65 offers a Hot Air Balloon Museum. That really is about it. Happily, there’s also Simpson college, a quiet institution which houses the Blank Performance Center, venue were Des Moines Metro Opera stages its summer festival productions and the sole reason why Indianola figures prominently in the nation’s operatic map. Now in its 41th season, the company has maintained a consistent excellence under these unlikely conditions, and has conjured an unapologetic lineup comprised of Britten’s Peter Grimes, Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, and Strauss’ Elektra. It is no surprise that this summer’s program has attained the company national recognition and provided the reason for newoutpost’s current report.
Todd Thomas (Balstrode) and Peter Honeywell (Peter) in DMMO’s production of Britten’s Peter Grimes