Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Archives - Page 3 of 6

Published June 26, 2025 at 2:30PM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts will launch its summer season with Next to Normal, a Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical that blends rock music with raw emotion to tell the story of a family navigating the stormy waters of mental illness and grief.

The show opens July 2 and runs through August 3, 2025, marking the Riverside debut of this emotionally charged and rarely produced musical. It stars real-life couple Adrienne Hick and Andrew Foote, who previously lit up the Riverside stage in The Bridges of Madison County. Now, they return in a production that digs even deeper. “We talk about the show pretty much every waking hour,” Hick said during a recent episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast. “Sometimes we have to declare a day off from it—it’s that consuming, in a good way.”

Fredericksburg

Catch These Must-See Shows Before the Curtains Close Sunday

By Potomac Local News

Published June 20, 2025 at 2:30PM

Coker as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. [Photo: Suzanne Carr-Rossi]

This weekend marks your last chance to catch two standout productions on local stages before the curtains close for good.

At the ARTfactory in Manassas, Lend Me a Soprano wraps up its run with performances through Sunday. This fast-paced farce, written by Ken Ludwig, offers a hilarious backstage comedy that’s been praised for its sharp direction, standout cast, and intimate setting. According to a review from the ARTfactory, the show “delivers big laughs in a small space” and makes the most of its cozy venue to pull audiences into the operatic chaos. Tickets and details are available at virginiaartfactory.org.

Podcast

Tug Coker Talks To Kill a Mockingbird at Riverside Center | Potomac Local News Podcast

By Potomac Local News

Published May 28, 2025 at 7:55AM | Updated May 28, 2025 at 3:48PM

Coker as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. [Photo: Suzanne Carr-Rossi]

In this episode, Tug shares insights into his career, which spans TV, Broadway, and film, and talks about his return home to perform in this iconic American play. He opens up about his roots in Fredericksburg and what it means to come back and perform for a local audience. The conversation also touches on the relevance of To Kill a Mockingbird in today’s society and how theater continues to serve as a powerful medium for community connection and the exchange of ideas.

Listen to the full interview below and get your tickets to see To Kill a Mockingbird at Riverside Center:

Features

Plenty of Chances to Catch ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Riverside This Week

By Potomac Local News

Published May 28, 2025 at 5:03AM | Updated May 28, 2025 at 11:31AM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has five performances this week of its stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, starring Fredericksburg native Tug Coker as Atticus Finch.

In a Facebook post, Riverside shared that showtimes are today at 1:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Guests can enjoy a full dining experience before the show, making for a memorable evening of food and theater.

Features

Red Carpet Ready: Riverside Theater Honors Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

By Potomac Local News

Published May 8, 2025 at 2:00PM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway is meeting the ‘Burg this weekend as Fredericksburg native Tug Coker takes center stage as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The show opened Wednesday, May 7, and a special red-carpet celebration is set for Friday, May 9.

Coker, who was raised in Fredericksburg and graduated from Fredericksburg Academy, brings an impressive résumé to the Riverside stage. Known for his roles on Broadway and on hit shows like The Office, Billions, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this marks his first professional performance in his hometown. He studied theater at the College of William and Mary and played professional basketball overseas before pursuing acting full-time.

Features

Fredericksburg’s Own Tug Coker Stars as Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Riverside

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 1, 2025 at 3:06PM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway actor and Fredericksburg native Tug Coker is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in American theater—Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird—as he makes his hometown stage debut at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The production runs May 7 through June 22, 2025.

Adapted from Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is set in 1930s Alabama and follows young siblings Scout and Jem as they navigate childhood under the watchful and moral guidance of their widowed father. The calm of their small town is shattered when Atticus Finch, a respected local attorney, defends a Black man falsely accused of a violent crime. Riverside describes the play as “timeless and lingering,” exploring “prejudice, compassion, and the courage to do what is right.”

Breaking News

EXCLUSIVE: Riverside Center Offers Free Tickets to First Responders, Teachers Following Traumatic Week in Spotsylvania

By Potomac Local News

Published April 10, 2025 at 1:20PM

After a week marked by tragedy and intense emergency response, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts offers a night of respite to those serving on the front lines. The center is giving away 200 free tickets to local first responders and teachers for Friday night’s performance of Jesus Christ Superstar on April 11, 2025.

The offer is open to area educators, fire and rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, and other first responders. All seats are first come, first served, and must be claimed in person at the Riverside Center box office. Valid credentials are required.

Features

Rock Opera ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Opens at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 14, 2025 at 5:51PM

The stage is set, the lights are shining, and the electrifying energy of Jesus Christ Superstar is ready to take over the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The iconic rock opera, which first captivated audiences in the early 1970s, officially opened on March 13, 2025, and will run through April 27.

In a recent interview with Potomac Local News Podcast, lead cast members Anthony Nuccio and Kylie Ernest shared their excitement about bringing this timeless production to the local stage. Nuccio, who plays Judas Iscariot, described Jesus Christ Superstar as a fully sung-through rock opera with no traditional dialogue breaks. “It’s an incredibly high-energy show that blends rock music with a powerful narrative,” he said. “Audiences can expect a visceral and emotional experience.”

Features

Stefan Boutchyard Brings Fresh Culinary Vision to Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 12, 2025 at 10:16PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:15AM

Boutchyard

Fredericksburg’s Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has welcomed a new force in its kitchen: Chef Stefan Boutchyard. With a rich culinary background spanning Fredericksburg, Culpeper, and high-profile catering events—including the inauguration of President Donald Trump—Boutchyard is breathing new life into the dinner theater’s menu.

A Culinary Journey to Riverside

Fredericksburg

Don’t Miss ‘Seussical Jr.’ at Riverside Center – A Fun Family Experience

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 6, 2025 at 2:12PM

This limited-run show features the classic Dr. Seuss story of Horton the Elephant and his journey to protect the Whos and an egg left in his care. The show runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from February 4 to March 1, 2025, with an additional Saturday show on March 1. Tickets are just $20 per person, and children under three are free.

The Children’s Theatre returns with an amazing performance for all ages! You can even bring your own lunch to enjoy before the show on Tuesday and Thursday performances. Group tickets are available for Tuesday and Thursday shows by calling 540-479-1356, while Saturday matinees can be purchased online or by calling 540-370-4300.