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[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.

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[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.

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[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.

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[Free Lance-Star] Chasing the American dream: 'Ragtime the Musical' rolls into Riverside Center

What has a nice ring to it? Twenty-five years after opening on Broadway, “Ragtime the Musical” will hit the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts stage during the theater’s very own 25th anniversary year.

The show — full of raw emotion and commanding tunes — débuted at Riverside yesterday and runs through May 7.

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[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).

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[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.

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[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.

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[Free Lance-Star] Make a break for 'Escape to Margaritaville' at Riverside

The 25th season at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is kicking off with a big ole party.

That party comes in the form of Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville,” which is loaded with sunny vibes, hints of romance and, oh yes, Buffett jams that span the classic to obscure spectrum. The show débuted at Riverside on Wednesday and runs through March 5.

“This is a show that has been doing incredibly well in regional theaters, primarily because it’s so laid-back and has a charming little message in the end,” said Patrick A’Hearn, producing artistic director at Riverside. “Besides, who doesn’t love a little fun in the sun, music and margaritas?”

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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.

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'The Voice' runner-up Toneisha Harris talks 'Ghost: The Musical'

7NewsDC — It's hard to believe it was 32 years ago when 'Ghost' first hit theaters. The timeless film was a global hit, earning more than $500 million and winning two Academy Awards. The movie was eventually adapted for the stage and you can catch 'Ghost: The Musical' right now at Fredericksburg's Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. Star of the show and 'The Voice' season 18 runner-up Toneisha Harris joined us to discuss the production.

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[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!

Guest User 9/14/22 Guest User 9/14/22

'Ghost the Musical' comes to life at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

It’s a big week for Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

On Sunday at 6:30 p.m., the organization will host a special “Celebration 25” gathering. The event will reveal the six shows to take the main stage in 2023 for Riverside’s landmark 25th season (Hint: There will be three shows making a Riverside return and three new ones). Intimate performances, silent auctions and light refreshments will round out the vibe of this first-of-its kind event.

But, before we fast-forward to next year’s happenings, Riverside’s 24th season is still in full swing and its latest show—“Ghost the Musical”—débuted Wednesday. The full rock musical runs through Nov. 6 and promises to be a vocal and visual spectacle.

Kendric Walpole 8/17/22 Kendric Walpole 8/17/22

[DCTA Review] Engaging ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ is served at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

A whirlwind of different viewpoints and an incredibly interesting study of American culture and racism, all handled by the actors beautifully.

Kendric Walpole 8/16/22 Kendric Walpole 8/16/22

[FLS - Letter to the Editor] Riverside is a gem

Letter to the Editor of the Free Lance-Star regarding a patron’s visit to Riverside Center for the Performing Arts from Saint Leonard, Maryland.

Kendric Walpole 8/8/22 Kendric Walpole 8/8/22

[Free Lance-Star] Theater Review: A well-done ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ served at Riverside

After the light-hearted “Nunsense” earlier this summer, Riverside is going for meatier fare with “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”

Kendric Walpole 8/4/22 Kendric Walpole 8/4/22

[MD Theatre Guide Review] ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Many dinner theatres run primarily on popular musicals. Patrick A’Hearn, producer of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia, challenges this trend by presenting at least one non-musical production per year. His selection this year is “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” a bold choice in spite of being based on an award-winning film from 1967.

Guest User 7/21/22 Guest User 7/21/22

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' pays a visit to Riverside Center

The title of the show asks a simple question: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”?

Well, based on Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ newest big stage production, a lot of locals really should be joining them for dinner for an experience to remember.

The play—concocted by Todd Kreidler and based on the smash 1967 drama-meets-comedy film starring Sidney Poitier and Katharine Hepburn—opened on Wednesday and runs through Sept. 4.

Kendric Walpole 7/5/22 Kendric Walpole 7/5/22

[DCMTA Review] Sally Struthers shines in ‘Nunsense’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents the musical farce Nunsense, starring Sally Struthers as Mother Superior, and with book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin. When the Little Sisters of Hoboken find themselves in a situation that demands fast cash, they decide to put on a hastily planned variety show. The original script derails quickly, and the result is an evening of hilarious entertainment. Directed by Patti D’Beck with musical direction by Carson Eubank, Nunsense is the night of comedic relief that we all need right now!

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