Seriously funny: A side splitting ode to the Wit and Wisdom of Erma Bombeck

There is still time to grab tickets for the play, which will open tonight and run through December 21. This production is a part of the Temple Theater’s Comedy Series. Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End. Erma Bombeck never won a Pulitzer Prize, though many—including today’s guest, Peggy Engel—believe she deserved one. Her columns, often clipped and pinned to refrigerators across America, earned a place of honor Bombeck herself cherished more than the coveted journalism award. Still….Syndicated in over 900 newspapers, Bombeck was lovingly dubbed the “housewife humorist,” but our Potluck guest argues that label only scratched the surface of her genius. Peggy Engel and her twin sister Allison have brought Bombeck’s wit and warmth to life in a critically acclaimed 60-minute play hailed as a charming, nostalgic tribute to one of America’s most beloved writers.Our Potluck readers were treated to a delightful conversation with Peggy as she awaited her delayed luggage at the Des Moines International Airport.The Engel twins, longtime journalists and authors, transitioned to playwriting later in their careers. Their first hit, a play about another iconic columnist, Molly Ivins, cemented their reputation for capturing the wit and wisdom of trailblazing women journalists. These productions celebrate writers who once graced countless households with their syndicated columns and unforgettable voices.Don’t miss this heartfelt homage to Bombeck! Listen to our podcast for more insights, and snag your tickets today by clicking the photo below.Performances are held at the Temple Theater, 1011 Locust Street, Des Moines. Evening shows start at 7 PM, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available starting at just $20.Meet Allison and Peggy Engel during the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ RetreatThe playwrights are popular workshop leaders during the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat. As a result, former participants are in various stages of implementing what they learned, and during our Podcast call we heard from Abena Sankofa Imhotep and Julie Klein about what they learned there. Sign up now! This event has sold out each year. We are a long way from September of 2025, but reserve your place now during the Early Bird discount period and save yourself $200. https://okobojiwritersretreat.comIowa Writers’ Collaborative This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe