Theater Archives - Potomac Local News

Published February 25, 2026 at 3:00PM | Updated February 26, 2026 at 8:37AM

ARTfactory Wind River Theater

Prince William County officials defended new permitting rules for school theater stages after teachers and students raised concerns at a School Board meeting on February 18.

The controversy stems from a January 13, 2026, memorandum issued by Prince William County Risk Management, enforced through the county permitting office. It mandates county permits, structural reviews by licensed engineers or contractors, and a four- to six-month approval timeline for any temporary theatrical stage or platform exceeding 16½ inches in height or 120 square feet in area, particularly when supporting 10 or more people.

Features

Triune Brings ‘Prince Of Egypt’ to Journey Stage

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 12, 2026 at 10:00AM

Triune Entertainment will stage “The Prince of Egypt” over three weekends in March 2026, with evening and matinee performances at Journey Stage in Warrenton.

Key Takeaways

Features

Donna Summer Musical Lights Up Riverside

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2026 at 3:02PM | Updated February 2, 2026 at 4:03PM

Jahnay Star performs as “Disco Donna” in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, leading the ensemble during one of the show’s high-energy dance numbers. [Photo: Suzanne Carr-Rossi]

Key Takeaways

When & Where: Running now through Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford County.

Fredericksburg

Riverside reports banner year after nonprofit shift, cites surge in attendance

By Potomac Local News

Published January 8, 2026 at 1:00PM

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Director Patrick A'Hearn speaks about the theater's transition to a non-profit corporation.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is riding what its CEO calls the strongest two-year stretch in the venue’s history, buoyed by a fall-and-holiday surge that brought nearly 26,000 people through the doors for two productions alone.

Patrick Ahern, Riverside’s CEO and producing artistic director, shared the figures during a Jan. 5, 2026, appearance on “Town Talk” on NewsTalk 1230 WFVA, a Fredericksburg-area radio program hosted by Ted Schubel.

Features

Riverside Center’s White Christmas Brings the Holiday Spirit Home

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 13, 2025 at 3:43PM | Updated November 13, 2025 at 4:29PM

Martha Watson (played by Kathy Halenda), Judy Haynes (played by Sarah Mae Andersen), and Phil Davis (played by Jordan Thomas Burnett) share a festive moment in *Irving Berlin’s White Christmas* at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg. [Suzanne Carr Rossi]

When my wife and I walked into the lobby, the holiday spirit hit us right away. The halls are decked, a big Christmas tree shines in the center, and the sound of carols fills the room. As we sat down to dinner, she looked around and said, “This just feels like Christmas.” And she was right — it did.

If you’ve seen the 1954 movie, you’ll recognize the story. Bob Wallace and Phil Davis are Army buddies turned entertainers who cross paths with the Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy. There’s romance, comedy, and plenty of old-fashioned charm as the two acts head north to put on a show — and maybe fall in love along the way.

Features

Prince William Little Theatre brings “It’s a Wonderful Life” to life as a 1940s radio play this December

By Potomac Local News

Published November 7, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated November 7, 2025 at 11:49PM

The Prince William Little Theatre will bring one of America’s most cherished Christmas stories to the stage this December — not as a traditional play, but as a live 1940s-style radio broadcast.

From December 12 through 21, 2025, audiences at the Gregory Family Theater inside the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas will step back in time for It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry. The show reimagines Frank Capra’s beloved holiday classic through the lens of a vintage radio studio, complete with actors at standing microphones, an “On Air” sign, and a live Foley artist creating real-time sound effects.

Features

“White Christmas” Opens Today at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 5, 2025 at 2:13PM

The holiday season has arrived early at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, where Irving Berlin’s White Christmas opens today!

This beloved holiday musical follows veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, a successful song-and-dance duo after World War II. When they meet a pair of talented singing sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes, romance and comedy ensue as the group travels to Vermont to perform a Christmas show. The twist? The inn hosting their holiday spectacular is owned by the men’s former army commander.

Features

ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre announces cast for Grease at Hylton Performing Arts Center

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 27, 2025 at 12:17PM

The Hylton Performing Arts Center outside Manassas.

“Announcing the cast of Grease, presented by ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre,” the Virginia ARTfactory posted. “Performances will be held in the Gregory Family Theater at Hylton Performing Arts Center January 16–25. Sunday, January 18th will be an understudy performance.”

Tickets for the production are now on sale through the ARTfactory’s ticket link. The community theater’s rendition of the classic musical will feature local youth performers, continuing ARTfactory’s tradition of fostering arts education and live performance in Prince William County.

Features

From Foster Care to the Footlights: How Life Inspired Vint Hill’s ‘Annie’

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2025 at 1:00PM

The sun will come out this fall when Annie takes the stage at the Journey Theater in Vint Hill. Triune Entertainment, a local theater company known for its professional-caliber productions, will present the beloved musical November 6–16, 2025.

The show marks a return visit to the Potomac Local Podcast for Triune Entertainment producer Matt Moore, who joined director Renee De Pont to share how their team is bringing new energy — and heart — to the Depression-era story of a spunky orphan who never gives up hope.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble Honors Late Actor in RENT Production

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 30, 2025 at 9:41AM

Hlusko

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble’s fall production of RENT carries special meaning this year as the company pays tribute to longtime performer and friend, Chris Hlusko, who died shortly before the show opened.

Hlusko’s first appearance with the Ensemble came in 2012 with The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Over the years, he left his mark on stage and backstage, contributing to productions including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Rocky Horror Show, and Dangerous Liaisons, where his passion for costumes shone. Most recently, he appeared in Stage Door Productions’ King Lear. RENT was to be his return to the FTE stage.