Theater preview: Riverside Christmas Spectacular brings home the holidays
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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.

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[MD Theatre Guide] Theatre Review: ‘Ghost: The Musical’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
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[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'
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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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[DC Theater Arts] A fun and moving ‘Ghost the Musical’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
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[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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'Ghost the Musical' comes to life at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
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'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.

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

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[Free Lance-Star] ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ arrives at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
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[Free Lance-Star] ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ arrives at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

You’ve seen the Judy Garland classic on the big screen. And now, you can experience the magic locally onstage.

“Meet Me in St. Louis” and all of its uplifting, turn-of-the-century-infused charm débuted at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday and runs through Dec. 31. Shows will take place Thursday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Wednesdays and Sundays.

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[FLS - Letter to the Editor] Go see 'Bright Star' at Riverside
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[FLS - Letter to the Editor] Go see 'Bright Star' at Riverside

Hey, Fredericksburg! There’s a “Bright Star” shining over Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. Don’t miss it!

This beautiful story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell is brought to life with powerful singing, flawless acting and the joy of performing that we consistently find at Riverside.

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[Free Lance-Star] 'Bright Star' musical beams into Riverside after 18-month wait
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[Free Lance-Star] 'Bright Star' musical beams into Riverside after 18-month wait

It’s happening, folks.

Nearly 18 months after being postponed and with its set literally tucked aside at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts since, “Bright Star” and all of its bluegrass glory is a go.

The nostalgic, feel-good musical with a score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell kicked off its local stint on Wednesday and runs through Oct. 31.

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[Free Lance-Star] Review: Riverside's 'Grumpy Old Men' musical is a sweet charmer
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[Free Lance-Star] Review: Riverside's 'Grumpy Old Men' musical is a sweet charmer

The news is looking pretty grim these days, with the exception of the pandemic-delayed Olympics (go, USA!), but the theater is a place we can go to escape for a few hours.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts continues its run of nostalgia-heavy shows, following the recent “Marvelous Wonderettes” that was overflowing with crowd-pleasing songs from the 1950s and ’60s. For its latest production, however, the theater isn’t going that far back.

“Grumpy Old Men” is a sweet surprise for another movie-turned-musical. Based on the 1993 classic starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, the story follows two neighbors feuding over the town’s foxy newcomer as they also grapple with changing times, financial troubles and—for one of them—a ridiculously persistent tax collector.

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