10/5/20 10/5/20

[The Free Lance-Star] Intermission is over: Riverside raises the curtain for 'Souvenir,' its first show since March

Where the stage has been dark, light is emerging.

Since the mid-March closing of “Grease,” the main stage at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts remained closed at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization has found ways to persevere in the meantime—launching a well-attended “Sip & Sing Supper Club” in its Rhapsody Ballroom and engaging fans in throwback activities on social media, among other creative endeavors.

Now, it’s time to hit the big stage yet again.

“Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins” débuted at Riverside on Wednesday. It will run Wednesdays to Sundays through Nov. 8.

9/18/20 9/18/20

Riverside's Patrick A'Hearn previews Souvenir with Town Talk's Ted Schubel

Listen to Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director preview our upcoming production of Souvenir: A Fantasia about the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins at Riverside with Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).

9/15/20 9/15/20

[BroadwayWorld] Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Presents SOUVENIR!

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia is delighted to be one of the first theatres in the DC Metro area to welcome our patrons back to live theatre with the hilarious, over-the-top production of Stephen Temperley’s Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins. This side-splitting play debuted off-Broadway before opening on Broadway in 2005, starring Tony Award® nominee Judy Kaye as Florence Foster Jenkins.

Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn is pleased to announce the sensational pair at the heart of Souvenir: Riverside Center’s Andrea Kahane will star as Florence Foster Jenkins, the aspiring singer incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Ms. Kahane will be joined onstage by Carson Eubank in his stage debut at Riverside as Jenkins’ faithful accompanist, Cosmé McMoon.

8/10/20 8/10/20

Keeping You Informed (COVID-19 Update - August 10, 2020)

In response to COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) and for the safety of our audiences, our community, performers, and staff, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is amending the production schedule as detailed below effective, Monday, August 10, 2020.

7/30/20 7/30/20

Riverside's Patrick A'Hearn Previews the Sip & Sing Supper Club with Town Talk's Ted Schubel

Listen to Riverside Center's Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A'Hearn preview our upcoming Sip & Sing Supper Club in our Rhapsody Ballroom at Riverside along with some new updates on our upcoming performances with Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA).

6/18/20 6/18/20

Riverside's Patrick A'Hearn Sits Down 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 the COVID-19 pandemic, an update on Riverside’s re-opening, and a preview of some of the changes that will be made as a result.

5/1/20 5/1/20

[The Free Lance-Star] 'Bright Star' awaits Riverside audiences upon its return

In mid-March, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts was riding an incredible high.

The regional theater was closing a record-breaking run of the feel-good classic “Grease.” It opened on Jan. 8 and ran through March 15, carrying the highest grossing sales and attendance of any production in Riverside’s nearly 24-year history.

Flash forward to today. A once-thriving theater’s stage is dark, its infectious buzz has been nearly silenced and there’s a show in the queue that is ready whenever the world is.

3/17/20 3/17/20

A Message to Our Patrons (COVID-19 Update - March 17, 2020)

In response to COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) and for the safety of our audiences, our community, performers, and staff, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is amending the production schedule as detailed below effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

3/12/20 3/12/20

A Message to Our Patrons: Keeping You Informed

Dear Valued Patrons and Guests,

The Riverside family is fully aware of the news reports regarding the Coronavirus. We want you to know that your health and safety as well as those of our staff and performers is paramount. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and will follow strategies recommended by public health authorities, elected officials, and the CDC. Riverside will remain vigilant, and we are prepared to make decisions based on current recommendations, as well as in response to the changing conditions.

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.

12/11/19 12/11/19

[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.

12/8/19 12/8/19

[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."

12/5/19 12/5/19

[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.

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