Guest User 10/10/23 Guest User 10/10/23

[Potomac Local News Review] ‘Bridges’ at Riverside is southern, slow, sultry, steamy

The performances by all of the cast were outstanding, and the singing quality was excellent. One party member commented that this production would not be out of place in a London West End Theater.

Guest User 10/2/23 Guest User 10/2/23

[DC Theater Arts Review] ‘Bridges of Madison County’ combines music and forbidden romance at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Like the rock band The Clash, The Bridges of Madison County asks the question “Should I stay or should I go?” Director Patrick A’Hearn and the cast at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts have put on a musical that is a triumph of high art.

Guest User 9/20/23 Guest User 9/20/23

[Free Lance-Star] 'The Bridges of Madison County' arrives at Riverside

When Patrick A’Hearn, producing artistic director of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, saw the movie “The Bridges of Madison County,” he recalls thinking it would make a wonderful musical.

The movie — which opened in 1995 starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood and is based on a 1992 novel by Robert James Waller — tells “such a beautiful love story,” A’Hearn said.

“I always thought to myself, ‘This would make a good musical, and luckily someone else did, too,” he said.

Guest User 8/13/23 Guest User 8/13/23

[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ’42nd Street’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

In the Hollywood-musical-turned-Broadway show ”42nd Street,” Peggy Sawyer, a young girl from Allentown, PA, dreams of being in a New York Broadway show in the theatre district of 42nd Street. The show fluctuates between the challenges she faces as a Broadway newcomer, her interactions with various people she meets in show business, and her unexpected triumphs towards stardom. It is a show within a show since most of the musical numbers are part of the fictional musical, “Pretty Lady.”

Guest User 8/3/23 Guest User 8/3/23

[Free Lance-Star Review] A grand '42nd Street' makes its way to Riverside

If you ever wondered what happens before the curtain goes up opening night, take a journey to “42nd Street.”

Beyond the marquee lights, there’s also a lot of sweat and tears—not to mention broken ankles, thugs, meltdowns and romantic entanglements.

This Tony-winning classic, onstage at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, is absolutely pure enjoyment as it throws audiences into the Golden Age of musicals.

Guest User 7/26/23 Guest User 7/26/23

[Potomac Local News Review] ‘42nd Street’ at Riverside has got a lot of what it takes to make you smile

The players returned to Riverside Center for the Performing Arts to present “42nd Street,” a story about a girl who moves from a small town to New York City to find fame on Broadway.

Riverside’s production of the high-energy show stars Andrea McArdle as Dorothy Brock, the seasoned star hired to make the fictitious show in the play, “Pretty Lady,” a hit. The iconic McArdle has appeared in several Broadway plays, including her heart-winning performance in the title role of “Annie” in 1977, a major musical based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.”

Guest User 7/24/23 Guest User 7/24/23

[DC Theater Arts Review] ‘42nd Street’ is a winner at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

An aspiring chorus girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Peggy Sawyer, arrives in Depression-era New York and joins the ensemble of Pretty Lady, a new Broadway show. Right before opening night, the star of the show breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step into the starring role and soar to stardom? With marvelous tap numbers, snazzy costumes, and well-known songs like “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “We’re in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” and “42nd Street,” the musical 42nd Street at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is a winner.

Guest User 6/11/23 Guest User 6/11/23

[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is currently presenting “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Director and producer Patrick A’Hearn correctly describes this as a “fun show,” and for its 25th Anniversary, Riverside wanted a family friendly show just such as this.

Guest User 5/30/23 Guest User 5/30/23

[DC Theater Arts] ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ is a vibrant must-see at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, produced and directed by Patrick A’Hearn, with musical direction by Carson Eubank. This vibrant, spirited production is a must-see for fans of musical theater, and is a great choice if you’re looking to please the whole family.

Guest User 5/18/23 Guest User 5/18/23

[Free Lance-Star'] Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' lights up Riverside stage

Technicolor is in the show’s name and, indeed, it’s shaping up to be a colorful spectacle like few others in the ‘Burg.

The nonstop, light-spectacle-of-a-musical that is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” opened at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts yesterday and runs through July 9.

Guest User 4/16/23 Guest User 4/16/23

[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ‘Ragtime’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, VA is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. It is including some very special shows this year, including the current production of “Ragtime: The Musical,” based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow.

Guest User 4/5/23 Guest User 4/5/23

[Free Lance-Star] America in motion: 'Ragtime' aims for the heart

It’s been a while since Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has had a large-scale production on its stage. Think “Les Misérables” or “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” or in recent memory, “Bright Star.” And what better way to roll out its 25th anniversary season than with “Ragtime,” a show that’s also hitting its own 25th milestone.

Just last week, stars from the original Broadway cast — including Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald — reunited for a one-night-only benefit concert in New York. Even if they weren’t lucky enough to catch that performance, local theatergoers have time to experience this epic heartbreaker, which is onstage at Riverside through early May.

Guest User 4/3/23 Guest User 4/3/23

[DC Theater Arts] ‘Ragtime the Musical’ soars at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

In a celebration of 25 years of Broadway quality musicals in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Ragtime the Musical lit up the stage at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts with emotional performances by Jacquez Linder-Long, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Alan Hoffman, Kadejah Oné, and Adrianne Hick.

This show was masterfully directed by Patrick A’Hearn, Riverside’s producing artistic director. The 25-year-old, Tony award-winning show, is based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow and has a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Carson Eubank’s music direction and conducting helped this musical soar.

Guest User 2/5/23 Guest User 2/5/23

[DC Theater Arts] ‘Escape to Margaritaville’ charms at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is kicking off its 25th year with one party of a production! Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville has everything a good celebration needs: tropical drinks on the beach, lively music and dancing, romance, and even a smattering of zombies (you read that right).

Guest User 1/25/23 Guest User 1/25/23

[FLS] Review: Jimmy Buffett's 'Escape to Margaritaville' pours on the charm at Riverside

With these cold, gray days and talk of a wintry mix, a trip to Margaritaville sounds pretty nice right about now. The reality is that it’s not an actual place, but it sure feels like it at Riverside.

The performing arts center has been transformed into a piece of paradise in the Caribbean, where vacation-starved tourists, bachelorettes and colorful locals come out to play, hook up or just chill out. Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville,” onstage through March 5, is a feel-good show wrapped in the sun-drenched sounds of the Key West-loving crooner.

Guest User 1/16/23 Guest User 1/16/23

[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ‘Escape to Margaritaville’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Cast your line off the askew wooden dock, a distressed beach shack behind you, and dangling fairy lights overhead, and you’re sure to catch a nostalgic performance of the jukebox musical, “Escape to Margaritaville” at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. Showcasing a compendium of songs by Jimmy Buffet with a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley, this crew of Fredericksburg beach bums brings you dinner and a show like no other.

Guest User 11/16/22 Guest User 11/16/22

Theater preview: Riverside Christmas Spectacular brings home the holidays

If it’s not beginning to look a lot like Christmas just yet, take a look at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts and think again.

Yesterday, the Fredericksburg entertainment staple kicked off the 2022 stint of its Christmas spectacle, which runs Wednesdays through Sundays through the end of the year.

Guest User 10/13/22 Guest User 10/13/22

[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ‘Ghost: The Musical’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

“Ghost” first appeared in movie theaters in 1990. A tragic love story with supernatural and occasional comedic elements, the film was an unexpected success. It became the top-grossing movie of that year, winning two Academy Awards—Best Supporting Actress for Whoopi Goldberg) and Best Screenplay for Bruce Joel Rubin. In 2011, Rubin revisited “Ghost,” providing the book and contributing to the lyrics for “Ghost: The Musical.” Nominated for three Tony Awards, the show played on Broadway and London’s West End.

Just in time for the Hallowe’en season, the show is now appearing in Fredericksburg, Virginia at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

Guest User 9/30/22 Guest User 9/30/22

[Free Lance-Star/Star Exponent] 'Ghost' gets a pop-rock spin in spirited Riverside show

“Ghost” may have been released in 1990, but this romantic heavyweight has been enjoying a long afterlife. The iconic film—starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and (ahem, Oscar winner) Whoopi Goldberg—aims for the heart as it illustrated the powerful bond between Molly and Sam, cementing it as one of the most epic cinematic love stories.

Guest User 9/28/22 Guest User 9/28/22

[DC Theater Arts] A fun and moving ‘Ghost the Musical’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Ghost the Musical, with book and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin and music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, based on the 1990 Oscar-winning film starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. Patti D’Beck directs and choreographs this fun, moving production. Toneisha Harris, a finalist on the 18th season of The Voice, takes on the role that won Whoopi Goldberg an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, and showcases her outstanding vocals. An edgier, more modern show than the classic content that Riverside normally favors, Ghost was a somewhat risky choice for the center, but the gamble pays off in a big way!

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