The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is banking on the investment of a red-headed flapper named Millie Dillmount and the out-of-town success of a highly-caffeinated comedy trio to pay dividends this fall.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film of the same name that takes audiences back to the height of the Jazz Age, is the first Broadway production in which the Civic Center has joined 39 other members of the Independent Presenters Network to invest $1 million. It also marks the first time since the Civic Center opened its doors in 1979 that the venue will have the opportunity to present a national touring production of a current Tony Award-winning “best musical” in its first year on the road. “Millie” plays Des Moines before it stops in bigger cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver.

“We’ve been talking about doing this for a long time,” said Jeff Chelesvig, president of the Civic Center. “I was amazed how well the movie translated to stage. I think it appeals to a lot of people, including families and couples.”

The consortium of IPN members joined Whoopi Goldberg, Fox Theatericals, Michael Leavitt and others in producing the $10 million show. The Civic Center’s portion of the IPN commitment to “Millie,” $25,000, was funded through its Product Acquisition Reserve, which the Board of Trustees created in 2001 to support the venue’s participation in the creation of Broadway shows and nationally touting productions. As of last week, Chelesvig said, the Civic Center had recouped 70 percent of its investment through profits from the nationally touring production at other theaters.

“When we use the term ‘investment’ we like to get a return on our money,” Chelesvig said. “We look at the overall risk of the show. Making our investment is a small part of what we risk in all of our shows.”

Having the opportunity to present “Millie” in its first year on the road is a special occasion, Chelesvig said, helping to raise the Civic Center’s profile in the theater industry on Broadway. The show was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning for “best musical,” “best choreography,” “best costumes” and “best orchestrations.” The show’s Tony Award for “best musical” will be on display in the Civic Center’s lobby when it plays Des Moines Oct. 28 through Nov. 2.

Jed Bernstein, president of The League of American Theaters & Producers, said the Civic Center is firmly entrenched in New York as a top theater for touring Broadway productions. Last year, more than 170,000 people attended the Civic Center’s Broadway productions, including “Triple Espresso.”

“Nationally, touring Broadway productions direct from New York typically play venues with the largest season ticket and single-ticket buyers base,” Bernstein said. “The Civic Center, with its extensive Broadway Series, is now a prime example of one of those top-notch venues.”

In addition to investing in “Millie,” the Civic Center is helping to network “Triple Espresso” to fellow IPN members. Last week, Chelesvig visited St. Louis to scout potential theaters for a production there.

“The success we had with ‘Triple Espresso’ caught the eye of a lot of people, especially presenters,” he said. “We want to capitalize on what we built here and help bring the show to other cities.”

In return for introducing the show to other theaters, Chelesvig said the Civic Center could share a portion of the show’s royalties or have the opportunity to buy ownership of a separate production company, if one is created.

Additional revenue from the show will also be generated from abroad. Board members of the IPN recently accepted an offer to produce “Triple Espresso” in London, where the group will receive title billing. The show opens Oct. 21 at the Shaftesbury Theater.

“We’re confident we’ll recoup our investment in that,” Chelesvig said. “It’s a good networking opportunity.”

THOUROUGHLY MODERN THEATER

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is investing in its first national touring production of a Broadway show in its 24-year history, as well as a popular comedy which will play the U.S. and England. But Civic Center officials say other local businesses will benefit from the bevy of shows scheduled for the venue’s 2003-04 Broadway Series, which include: “The Full Monty” (Sept. 30-Oct. 5), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Oct. 28-Nov. 2), “Blast!” (Nov. 25-30), “Les Miserables” (Jan. 6-11), “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Feb. 3-8), “Oliver!” (Feb. 24-29), “Rob Becker’s Defending the Caveman” (March 16-21) and “Rent” (March 30-April 4).

Theater officials project that more than 300,000 patrons will attend shows during the current season with total revenues reaching $8.5 million to create $17 million in economic impact.   “People are coming from all over the state, staying overnight in hotels, shopping at local businesses and having meals in area restaurants,” said Jeff Chelesvig, Civic Center president. “That’s good for us and it’s good for local economic development.”