[Free Lance-Star] Review: Riverside’s ‘Grumpy Old Men’ musical is a sweet charmer
The news is looking pretty grim these days, with the exception of the pandemic-delayed Olympics (go, USA!), but the theater is a place we can go to escape for a few hours.
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts continues its run of nostalgia-heavy shows, following the recent “Marvelous Wonderettes” that was overflowing with crowd-pleasing songs from the 1950s and ’60s. For its latest production, however, the theater isn’t going that far back.
“Grumpy Old Men” is a sweet surprise for another movie-turned-musical. Based on the 1993 classic starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, the story follows two neighbors feuding over the town’s foxy newcomer as they also grapple with changing times, financial troubles and—for one of them—a ridiculously persistent tax collector.
[Free Lance-Star] Heartwarming ‘Grumpy Old Men’ makes its regional debut at Riverside Center
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ production of “Grumpy Old Men” is a salve for pandemic-weary audiences. It’s got a lot of laughs, but it’s got heart, too. That’s according to co-lead Jim Lawson who plays Max Gustafson in the musical.
He and co-lead John Hollinger, who plays fellow grumpy old man John Gustafson, began performing July 21. The show runs through Sept. 5 and is the first regional performance of the “Grumpy Old Men” musical—and the first performance of it after theaters reopened following COVID-19 shutdowns.
Director & Leading Men preview Grumpy Old Men with Town Talk’s Ted Schubel
Listen to John Hollinger (John Gustafson) and Jim Lawson (Max Goldman) preview our production of Grumpy Old Men at Riverside alongside director and choreographer Penny Ayn Maas and Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn and Town Talk’s Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
[Free Lance-Star] LETTER: Riverside Theater is a vital part of our community
Riverside Theater is a vital part of our community
The sun is indeed shining at Riverside Theater for the Performing Arts!
I have been a patron since 2005 and have enjoyed many productions, observing firsthand Riverside’s growth and development. As a member of the Riverside Foundation for the Performing Arts, I give credit for this mainstay of Fredericksburg culture to Patrick A’Hearn, the theater’s producing artistic director.
The Wonderettes preview The Marvelous Wonderettes with Town Talk’s Ted Schubel
Listen to Sarah Mae Andersen (Suzy), Elizabeth C. Butler (Missy), Sheri Hayden (Cindy Lou), and Brittny Smith (Betty Jean) preview our production of The Marvelous Wonderettes at Riverside alongside music director, Carson Eubank, director and Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn and Town Talk’s Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
[Free Lance-Star Review] Sweet, silly ‘Marvelous Wonderettes’ hits all the right notes
Summer is almost here and there’s a certain radiant energy in the air as life is starting to feel a little normal again. And one bright spot can be found at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, with its new show “The Marvelous Wonderettes.”
The past year has been a long and challenging one, and this charming jukebox musical takes audiences on a welcome journey to another era—making you forget we’re living in pandemic at least for a little while.
[The Free Lance-Star] Blast from the past: Riverside returns to the stage with ‘Marvelous Wonderettes’
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked absolute havoc on so many aspects of our lives—certainly including the privilege to enjoy live theater and, for the countless folks ingrained in the theater world, doing what they were born to do.
With hopefully our darkest days behind us, light and hope are noticeably emerging. And, that light is absolutely beaming through the halls of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts and in the form of its latest production.
“The Marvelous Wonderettes” is live and on Riverside’s main stage through July 11.
The Marvelous Wonderettes are a Dream Come True at Riverside Center!
Broadway’s Best is back in Virginia at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts with The Marvelous Wonderettes live onstage from June 2 through July 11! Written and created by Roger Bean, this smash Off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy: four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts!
Sally Struthers and Patrick A’Hearn sit down to talk with Town Talk’s Ted Schubel!
Listen to special guest, Sally Struthers and Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn and Town Talk’s Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA) as they discuss COVID-19 and what the pandemic has done to the performing arts.
Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn Checks in with Town Talk’s Ted Schubel!
Listen to Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn and Town Talk’s Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA) as they discuss our upcoming shows and reflect on what the pandemic has done to Riverside and the arts.