[Free Lance-Star] Big emotions, big performances: A look back at theater in 2019
Another year, another decade.
With the incredible wealth of theater in the area, it’s impossible to see everything. Before launching into another year of shows, let’s take a look back at some of the works that left a big mark—or smile—with this reviewer. Here are some of my favorites:
[CBS 6 Virginia This Morning] “Grease” Playing at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
Today we’ll talk with Justine Verheul who portrays “Sandy” and Taylor Lloyd who stars as “Rizzo.” Producing Artistic Director Patrick A’Hearn and Musical Director and Keyboardist Garrett Jones also join us to share sneak peeks of this incredible performance of a hit movie made over 30 years ago and still popular today.
[DC Metro Theater Arts] Review: ‘Grease’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts rocks and rolls
Grease is a musical that celebrates the changes born of the late 1950s era of rock n’ roll, drive-in movies, and James Dean–an era that sat on the cusp of the turbulent 1960s. Riverside Center for the Performing Arts served up a Broadway-quality show, thanks to Director and Choreographer Patti D’Beck (who assistant choreographed Tommy Tune’s1994 Broadway revival), music, lyrics, and book by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, and additional songs by John Farrar. This production offers a nostalgic afternoon for music lovers of all ages that strikes like “Greased Lightning.”
[Free Lance-Star] ‘Grease’ at Riverside: It’s got groove, it’s got meaning
If you’ve been sticking with that New Year’s diet, you’ve probably avoided greasy things like the plague.Kudos to you.But there’s a totally fulfilling type of grease landing in the ’Burg that’s super-nourishing to the soul, is faced-paced entertainment goodness and won’t destroy your resolution. The musical “Grease” opened at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday and runs through March 15.
The Cast of Grease preview Grease with Town Talk’s Ted Schubel
Listen to Tyler Michael Breeding (Danny Zuko), Justine Verheul (Sandy Dumbrowski), Theron Smith III (Kenickie), and Taylor Lloyd (Betty Rizzo) preview our upcoming production of Grease at Riverside alongside Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn and Town Talk’s Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
[BroadwayWorld] Riverside Center For The Performing Arts Presents GREASE
“Grease is the word” at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts from January 8th through March 15th! Travel back to the 50s and join Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. The incredible music, lyrics, and book were written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs. The production will also include some of your favorite songs from the movie, as special licensing has been arranged.
[Free Lance-Star] Soldier’s homecoming surprises wife, son and Riverside theater audience
An Army soldier returned home from Afghanistan and surprised his family with a Christmas homecoming they will never forget. Unbeknownst to his wife Bree and their young son Ryland, Army Spc. Shawn O’Malley stepped out onto the stage of Stafford’s Riverside Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday night, with actors who were portraying different branches of the military.
[ABC 7 – WJLA] Soldier returning from Afghanistan surprises family during Christmas play in Virginia
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (WJLA) — It was a true Bing Crosby moment at The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia Saturday night.
Artistic director Patrick A’Hearn tells ABC7 that Army Specialist Sean O’Malley returned home from Afghanistan and surprised his wife Bree and his son Ryland on stage during “A Riverside Christmas Spectacular.”
[DC Metro Theater Arts] Back by popular demand, ‘Riverside Christmas Spectacular’ sparkles
Back by popular demand and refreshed for 2019, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Riverside Christmas Spectacular, a variety show composed of beloved Christmas classics, with a few fun new treats as well. Director Patrick A’Hearn provides the Book for this production alongside Sherri L. Edelen, with Musical Arrangements by Paul Rawlins. Angela Donadio directs a live orchestra onstage, and they do an impeccable job with the music.
[Free Lance-Star] The ‘Riverside Christmas Spectacular’ brings holiday happiness
If you haven’t quite caught the holiday spirit yet, let’s change that. Whether you’ve been a complete Grinch up to this point or you’ve simply bottled up all of your Christmas excitement to release it after Thanksgiving, there’s a new show at Riverside to bring us all oodles of joy. The “Riverside Christmas Spectacular” kicked off Wednesday and runs through Dec. 29.