Donna Reed Theatre - Denison, Iowa

Kay Whipple

My docent I learned had been a school teacher prior to retirement. Very knowledgeable. They have lot of neat things from her youth. Very informative and worth the trip especially if you are It's a Wonderful Life or From Here to Eternity fan.

P L

Really sad that this wonderful building is no longer able to be used by most of the people of Denison. The best thing for Denison would be that the DRF moves on and let the city own and run the property. None of the foundation members live in Denison and don't care about how their decisions impact the community. I'm so sad as I have many fond memories of this building

Ken Kahl

A 1914 opera house restored and used for movies and special events. Parts of it house the Donna Reed Museum, a soda fountain/cafe called Reiney's, and a photo studio upstairs. Charming atmosphere, great food, and neat antiques.

Jan Larsen

It's quite an accomplishment when a handful of performers without the aid of musical. Instruments or glitzy stage props can cause so much joy for hundreds of people.

Leo Llewellyn

Denision is off the beaten track.

You have to want to visit the town, sitting high on a bluff, overlooking rivers and rolling countryside. This was the town Donna Reed called home for almost 17 years before she headed for stardom in Hollywood.

The Donna Reed Theatre for the Performing Arts was a tribute by her third husband. The local opera house had fallen into disrepair and he felt he owed it to his wife to keep her legacy alive.

Her co-stars in the seminal TV Show "The Donna Reed Show", Paul Peterson and Shelley Fabares, are still on the board of directors for the theatre.

I got to Denison on a late Monday afternoon, long after the shops on Broadway had closed up their doors; traffic was non-existent in the sleepy town. I had to imagine not much had changed in the intervening years from when Ms. Reed lived here and the present.

In front of the stately courthouse stood a sculpted soldier, honouring those who had fought in the Civil War. A deep, blue summer sky held its image in my mind.

The theatre was not one that Donna Reed ever performed in; at one time in her early teens she was an usher, as most town children aspired to be.
A shy girl who lived on a farm 7 miles from Denison, she moved in with and aunt and uncle for high school, so that she could interact with her high school and participate in school activities.

When I walked into the theatre, her presence was immediately felt. A lifelike photo stands in the memorabilia shop where tourists can have their picture taken with the iconic movie star.

The hosts enjoy working in the museum and keeping her stories alive. The theatre stays viable through an annual children's summer workshop, guest artists and weddings and other events.

Many of her accolades are on display in the museum. The board of directors is determined to relocate her Oscar from Des Moines to Denison, where it rightfully belongs.

Take the time to read some of the more than 250 letters Donna wrote to her pen pal of 48 years, who she never met, but stayed in contact with all her life. The pen pal donated the letters when she learned of the museum dedicated to her life.

If you are interested, a tour and history of the theatre can be arranged as well. Quite fascinating. Donna Reed may have been a worldwide star, but she found time for her hometown every year it seemed.

For any lover of Americana, Denison, Iowa, and the Donna Reed Theatre should be mandatory visits!

Linda Hiatt

The tour guide made this stop very interesting. Great architecture to enjoy as well. Closes early in afternoon so best to arrive in the a.m.

Dean

Great theater for concerts. NQB was great!

Christopher Paquette

The Bakery is great. Cinnamon roll and coffee for $3. How can you beat that Very charming place with friendly staff.