"Rolf(e)" staged reading to be held in April '22 

A staged reading of RJF's new musical "Rolf(e)" is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the State Historical Museum's auditorium in Des Moines.  Two performances - one in the afternoon and one in the evening - will be presented.  The event is free and open to the public and will also be live-streamed.  For more information about "Rolf(e)," click HERE.  Performance information will be posted on this website in March 2022; to receive direct updates, please subscribe to the email list by clicking HERE.  For audition information, click HERE.  (Added November 24, 2021; Updated January 18, 2022)

RJF receives 2 major grants from Iowa Arts Council

The Iowa Arts Council has awarded RJF two major project grants in its 2021-22 funding cycle - the first in support of a staged reading of his newest musical "Rolf(e)," and the second in support of a new RAGBRAI-themed musical to be presented throughout Iowa in the summer of 2022.  Performance information will be posted on this website in spring 2022; to receive direct updates, please subscribe to the email list by clicking HERE.   (Updated November 24, 2021)

"Utopia" summer house party tour is big success

With the objective of bringing back theatre in a safe, casual, and convenient way for both performers and audiences, the summer house party tour of RJF's "Utopia" exceeded all expectations.  A total of 14 performances were presented to nearly 500 audience members in backyards throughout central Iowa.  Plans are currently in the works to hold another summer house party tour in 2022, with a new RAGBRAI-themed musical by RJF to be presented. Performance information will be posted on this website in early 2022; to receive direct updates including notices about when interested hosts may select performance dates, please subscribe to the email list by clicking HERE.

(Added November 24, 2021)

"Adore Us! Line" wins four BroadwayWorld Awards

Iowa Stage Theatre Company's production of RJF's "Adore Us! Line" has won four regional BroadwayWorld "Best Of The Decade" Awards including Best Original Script, Best Production Of A Musical, Best Ensemble, and Best Direction Of A Musical (Maxwell Schaeffer),  A complete list of winners can be found HERE.  

(Updated January 10, 2021)

"Adore Us! Line" sets ticket sales record

Iowa Stage Theatre Company has announced that its production of RJF's "Adore Us! Line" has shattered previous ticket sales records for the organization.  Seven of the nine performances were sold out, and total occupancy was 99% of capacity for the entire run.  Additionally, the show was featured in many national media stories, including this lengthy video story produced by The New Yorker.  

(Added February 3, 2020)