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[Free Lance-Star Year in Review] 2018: a big and bright journey to the past
In 2018, I saw nearly 30 area productions (not to mention “Frozen” on Broadway and “West Side Story” sung entirely in Spanish while on vacation). That number is only a small dent in the incredible theater that was presented on local stages.
Here are a few of my favorites:
DCMetroTheaterArts Review: ‘A Rockabilly Christmas’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
This holiday season, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents A Rockabilly Christmas, co-created by Todd Meredith, Patrick A’Hearn and Jeremy Renner. For this production, Riverside returns select soloists alongside Todd Meredith and his band the Rave-Ons. Together, the group throws a festive party onstage by performing a collection of classic holiday songs with a rockabilly twist. They also share stories, jokes, and general holiday cheer!
Free Lance-Star Review: Riverside rocks the holiday classics in 'A Rockabilly Christmas'
If you’re looking for Christmas, you’ll find it—and a lot more—at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. This month, the dinner theater is cranking up the holiday cheer with “A Rockabilly Christmas.” And it has recruited some of your favorite Riverside faces like Ian Lane, Sheri Hayden and Kadejah Oné. But the show’s biggest gift to audiences is Todd Meredith and the Rave-Ons, and their high-voltage energy and concert theatrics.
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[Free Lance-Star] Have yourself a 'Rockabilly Christmas' at Riverside Center
Christmas is coming to Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, but with a rock ’n’ roll twist.
“A Rockabilly Christmas” is set to premiere for a limited time at the center, from Dec. 4-30. By blending classic holiday tunes with Buddy Holly favorites, the show serves as a tribute to both Christmas and the musician known for his rock ’n’ roll hits.
Todd Meredith and Patrick A'Hearn preview A Rockabilly Christmas! with Town Talk's Ted Schubel
Listen to Todd Meredith preview our upcoming production of A Rockabilly Christmas! at Riverside alongside Riverside Center's Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A'Hearn and Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
A Rockabilly Christmas! runs now through December 30, 2018. Tickets are available via our website or by calling our box office at 540-370-4300!
BWW Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Riverside Center For The Performing Arts
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts continues its season with the Disney classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. If audience response is any indication, this musical extravaganza is enjoyable for the entire family. Arrive early as the dinner theatre offers its audiences a variety of three-course meals that are appetizing and perfectly-themed for this production. Kids will also appreciate a meet and greet with some of Disney's most iconic characters following the performance.
DCMetroTheaterArts Review: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
A beloved classic, Beauty and the Beast is a popular choice amongst audiences. When a show’s high status is paired with Riverside’s well-earned reputation for providing Broadway-quality performances for the NOVA region, the result is a packed auditorium. I wasn’t at all surprised to see so many people at my performance (or lots of little girls in sparkly yellow ball gowns), nor was I surprised when that performance received an enthusiastic standing ovation at curtain call.
Culpeper Times CURTAIN CALLS: Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” Roars On
For many years of reviewing regional theatre, I have looked around the audience with growing concern at the many grey and balding heads. Where, I asked myself, in this age of Netflix, YouTube, video games, and movie theatres with reclining chairs will the next generation of live theatre patrons come from?
Now I have an answer.
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[Free Lance-Star] Young life: Riverside Children's Theater presents 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'
The latest feature from Riverside Children’s Theater, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” will whisk audiences away to a fantastic realm where trees and woodland creatures are animated and talkative and a wise sorceress’ magical feats are just a hand-wave away. At the same time, it brings home a lasting life message that the world of nature has a magic of its own that is perceptible only to those with the heart and eyes to appreciate it and that we have the power to achieve our dreams if we are willing to listen and work hard. All of which is conveyed through a crew of winsome—sometimes comically over-played—characters and a good measure of physical comedy that will elicit smiles, giggles and laughter.
Free Lance-Star Review: Riverside's 'Beauty and the Beast'
Everyone knows the story of “Beauty and the Beast.” One of Disney’s most beloved and popular movies, it tells the story of a vain, cruel prince who is cursed to live as a beast after turning an old woman away from his castle for her appearance. Only by learning to love someone and be truly loved in return can the prince break the spell. Enter Belle, an independent village girl who dreams of more outside her quaint little village.
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts brings this classic story to life with all of the favorite songs and characters from the 1991 animated feature, but it also offers fans and newcomers so much more to enjoy. What makes this show stand out are the quieter moments that resonate with the audience. That is what Riverside is trying to shine a light on: the relationships at the heart of the story.
Discover the charm and grandeur of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' at Riverside
“Song as old as rhyme ... Beauty and the Beeeeaaaaaaaaast!”
You know the lyrics. You’ve seen the iconic Disney flick. And now, it’s time to experience it live.
Through Nov. 25, “Beauty and the Beast” and all of its timeless glory is at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by Riverside’s producing artistic director Patrick A’Hearn, this one is full of storybook and “once upon a time” charm.
Nicki Elledge and Rj Pavel preview "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" with Town Talk's Ted Schubel!
Listen to Wyn Nicki Elledge (Belle) and Rj Pavel (Lumiere) preview our upcoming production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Riverside alongside director and Riverside Center's Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A'Hearn and Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
Prince George's Sentinel: A Harmonious 'Chorus Line' at Riverside Center Dinner Theater
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – “The show was the ‘Hamilton’ of its day.” Thus Patrick A’Hearn, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts producing artistic director, gives his production of “A Chorus Line,” a reference point for today’s audience.
Culpeper Times CURTAIN CALLS: “Chorus Line” – A Singular Sensation
They get out of bed no matter how they feel, show up for the audition, and dance their little hearts out. Some of the bodies are starting to show the wear, and some of the smiles are getting a little more desperate, but this is important. They need this job.
And so the backstage life of a New York musical theatre dancer comes into the spotlight. From the hopeful individuals that the director sees at the beginning to the polished, high-stepping pros that the audience gets at the end, “A Chorus Line” is their story.
Riverside has chosen this one-of-a-kind musical sensation to conclude twenty years of Broadway hit offerings in the region, and it’s a ringer.
Free Lance-Star Review: 'A Chorus Line' exposes heartache and thrill of making it on Broadway
It takes an army of super-talented dancers, singers and actors to put on the big-ticket productions Broadway is known for—shows like “Les Miserables,” “The Lion King,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Wicked.” Who are these hundreds of largely anonymous people? How did they end up where they are?
Onstage at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts through Sept. 16, “A Chorus Line” examines a handful of these unique individuals and what drove them to pursue such a career—as well as the ins and outs, the starts and stops, the thrill and devastation that make performing what it is.
Wyn Delano and Patrick A'Hearn preview "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" with Town Talk's Ted Schubel
Listen to Wyn Delano (Beast) and director and Riverside Center's Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A'Hearn preview our upcoming production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Riverside alongside Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
Disney's Beauty and the Beast runs September 26 through November 25, 2018. Tickets are available via our website or by calling our box office at 540-370-4300!
BWW Review: Riverside Center for the Performing Arts' A CHORUS LINE Captures Lightning in a Bottle
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has a real treat for its 100th production with the classic Broadway musical A Chorus Line. From the iconic opening number to the show-stopping finale, 22 triple-threat performers work tirelessly and prove this production is something really special. There have been recent tours and productions in Virginia, but this is the "One" audiences really must see.
DCMetroTheaterArts Review: ‘A Chorus Line’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
A Broadway musical about Broadway musicals—what could be better for theatre-lovers of all stripes? The iconic A Chorus Line truly fits the bill!
The current production of A Chorus Line at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is a perfect homage to the original. Riverside’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn, disclosed that he was waiting to assemble just the right combination of performers, creative team, and production staff before mounting A Chorus Line. He succeeded—and then some!
Free Lance-Star: Get in line for Riverside's latest musical treat: 'A Chorus Line'
Periodically we all have an audition.
These auditions can come in the form of a job interview, passing an important test or meeting all of your spouse’s BFFs. It can be grueling.
Well, performers, dancers and actors go through auditions all the time. And there’s an iconic musical coming to town focused on that process as well as the unique folks that typically comprise it.
The time-tested and iconic Michael Bennett production “A Chorus Line,” with music by Marvin Hamlisch, owns the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts stage through Sept. 16.
Sam Brackley and Justin Amellio preview A Chorus Line with Town Talk's Ted Schubel
Listen to Sam Brackley (Paul) and co-director and co-choreographer, Justin Amellio preview our current production of A Chorus Line at Riverside alongside Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A'Hearn and Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).
A Chorus Line runs now through September 16, 2018. Tickets are available via our website or by calling our box office at 540-370-4300!