2/18/20 2/18/20

[CURTAIN CALLS] Review: “Grease” – Rocks and Rolls at Riverside

Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

Nearly half a century ago, a little show opened in Chicago that took the town by storm. Based on Jim Jacobs’ memories of his high school years, it plugged into the softening view of the Fifties, those Eisenhower years between WWII and Vietnam, as a time of benign stability. Named for the guys who slicked their hair into greased ducktails, “Grease” became a musical phenomenon.

1/30/20 1/30/20

[The Free Lance-Star] Review: 'Grease' is a colorful ride through nostalgia at Riverside

“Grease” is getting a whole lot of lovin’ this year. With a TV spinoff in the works and a vibrant production at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, this story about a group of teenagers living it up in small-town 1959 America continues to resonate.

1/23/20 1/23/20

[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:

1/16/20 1/16/20

[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.

1/14/20 1/14/20

[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.”

1/13/20 1/13/20

[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.

1/8/20 1/8/20

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).

12/16/19 12/16/19

[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.

5/30/19 5/30/19

Culpeper Times CURTAIN CALLS: ‘La Cage' releases Folles at Riverside

Pull out your feather boa, your sequined gown and gold lame cape. Squeeze into those impossible high heels and don’t forget the fire engine lipstick.

Oh, and tell your wife to dress up, too. The “folles” have arrived!

This is a first for our favorite dinner theater. The Riverside Center has made the creative decision to branch out a bit and bring something not seen on a mainstream stage in the Fredericksburg area. But “not seen” doesn’t mean “new.” For all its glitter and illusion, “La Cage Aux Folles” has a very respectable 46-year history.

5/30/19 5/30/19

Free Lance-Star Review: Warm up to a fabulously funny ‘La Cage aux Folles’

The French Riviera comes to Fredericksburg as “La Cage aux Folles,” with its irrepressible star Zsa Zsa, flies into the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

And what better way to escape this arctic blast than with a heartwarming show about love and family, complete with drag queens and flashy musical numbers?

“La Cage aux Folles” is packed with humor and heart as it follows an older gay couple, Georges and Albin, and the challenges they face when Georges’ son, Jean-Michel, announces his engagement to the daughter of a super-conservative politician.

5/19/19 5/19/19

[Free Lance-Star] Riverside lets loose the Broadway classic 'La Cage aux Folles'

Remember “The Birdcage”?

The 1996 instant-classic-of-a-flick, starring Robin Williams and Gene Hackman, left audiences in tears—both laughing and reflecting on love in its many forms.

Now the musical version of this wonderful story is making its way to the ’Burg. “La Cage aux Folles” owns the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts stage through early March.

5/19/19 5/19/19

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents LA CAGE AUX FOLLES!

The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia is excited to present The Tony award winning La Cage aux Folles beginning January 9th and running until Sunday, March 3rd. The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six. The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Based on the French play and retold in the Robin Williams movie, The Bird Cage, the Jerry Herman Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles is the story of a gay couple who must pretend to be straight for one night - with one of the men in drag - to dupe the conservative political family of their son's fiancée. Featuring songs, "I Am What I Am," "With Ann on My Arm," and "The Best of Times."

4/6/18 4/6/18

[Culpeper Times] CURTAIN CALLS: ‘Hunchback’ rings out 20th season

But what of Quasimodo himself? There’s a fine balance that must be struck between strength and unconscious pathos. The physical deformity must be dominant, but not overworked; the voice struggling to be understood, but not too self-aware. A new face on Riverside’s stage, Justin Luciano, fulfills the most demanding expectation. His is a stand-out performance in a production filled with superlatives.

4/2/18 4/2/18

BWW Review: Riverside Center Hits The Right Notes with HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Regional Premiere

Boasting an impressive production and stellar cast, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is presenting the professional DC-Northern Virginia regional premiere of the dark and romantic musical THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. It is well worth the trip along Interstate 95 to hear the rich score and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, respectively, and be taken in by the sumptuous production, one of the biggest I have had the pleasure of seeing at this venue.

4/1/18 4/1/18

Free Lance-Star Review: What makes a monster and what makes a man? Riverside's 'Hunchback of Notre Dame'

From the ominous opening melody to the crashing “Finale Ultimo,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” seduces a depth of fascination from audience members not often seen at the dinner theater.

An ambitious production, led by Justin Luciano as Quasimodo and Thomas Adrian Simpson as Dom Claude Frollo, sends chills through the viewer, repeatedly inspiring the desired mix of horror and delight. The 18-person cast, the largest in Riverside history, is backed by a chorus of 20 and accompanied by a nine-piece orchestra.

3/20/18 3/20/18

DCMetroTheaterArts Review: ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film, Riverside is the first theatre in the metropolitan area to premiere its regional debut! Director Patrick A’Hearn leads this grand production–the largest at Riverside to date.

3/19/18 3/19/18

Ring the bells: 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' swings into Riverside

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is ending its 20th season with a big ol’ bang.

A cast of 18, community choir of 22 and nine-piece orchestra are sharing the stage for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”—the theater’s largest production ever. The epic musical owns the stage now through May 6, with performances Wednesdays through Sundays.

3/6/18 3/6/18

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia is excited to be the first regional theater in the metropolitan area to present The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Justin Luciano as Quasimodo and Thomas Adrian Simpson as Dom Claude Frollo. Located at 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA, performances begin on March 14th and run until Sunday, May 6th.

12/14/17 12/14/17

Riverside's Christmas Spectacular is guaranteed to fill your holiday with joy

Already spectacularly popular, the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ “Christmas Spectacular” is destined to become a favorite for holiday seasons to come.

Running now through Dec. 31, audiences are loving this variety show of Christmas classics, with echoes of Radio City’s “Christmas Spectacular” in its liveliness and verve.

12/13/17 12/13/17

'Riverside Christmas Spectacular' turns on the nostalgia this holiday season

It’s the most magical time of the year at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

Snow is falling onstage; songs like “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and just about every other Christmas classic you can think of is ringing out; and actors are even putting on a much-shortened rendition of the holiday favorite “A Christmas Carol.”

The “Riverside Christmas Spectacular” opened Wednesday to a sold-out audience, and it continues its seasonal run through Dec. 31.

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