Once again, Riverside Dinner Theater captivated my heart last night when I previewed their latest production “Smokey Joe’s Cafe’. Opening tonight, this shift from the theaters usual musical dramatic works, is a theatrical music revue showcasing the golden age of American Pop Culture with 39 of the greatest rock ‘n roll and rhythm & blues hits ever recorded. I couldn’t help but be captured by the beat and rhythm and danced and sang in my seat to old familiar songs like “Ruby Ruby”, “Goin to Kansas City’, Elvis classics like “Fools fall in love’, “Loving you”, “Houndog”, “Jailhouse Rock” etc. Greats such as “On Broadway”, “Poison Ivy”, “I am Woman”,” There goes my baby”, and “Stand by me” were just a few of the spectacular vocal resounds coming from the transformed city skylights stage of Riverside Theater.
An all-star cast, Riverside searched all over to find the best dance and vocal talents available for this production, many new to our beloved local theater. The choreography and costumes match the period of the music and not only transform you back in time but reach down and grab the depths of your soul. Five male and four female performers blend their voices and bodies together as partners, duets, trios, or quartets intermingled with heart rendering solos for this musical revue. I hope it is not the last time we see and hear the talents of the Smokey Joe’s quartet of Anthony Williams, Calvin Register, Alexander Smith and as base vocalist, Ricardo Coleman. (I love that good deep base in a quartet and Ricardo meets the challenge). Their unison motions and vocals were inspiring. Dancing and singing his way across the stage also was Michael Perez who performed many of the Elvis songs with a very convincing rendition of “Thank you very much”. Joining the boys, with spectacular high notes and powerful bravado the female cast included Sheri Hayden, TaLon Thomas, Kaylie Oppedisano, and Priya Paranthaman. Individually these women were spectacular but when put together they dominated the stage in their comanding performance of “I am Woman”.Watch for all these names in the future as I am sure Riverside is going to want to hang on to this pool of talented individuals.
My personal favorite, the solo “Spanish Harlem” sung by Riverside’s own Anthony Williams. I melted in my chair to his perfect performance of this classic song. Anthony’s vocal talents are in equal competition with his dance and choreographic skills which make Smokey Joe’s Cafe delight the visual senses just as much as the auditory ones.
If you have as much as a smattering of soul in your bones, you will love “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”. Of course the food is always tantilizing also. All together you can’t go wrong by purchasing your tickets for “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” at Riverside Dinner Theater and Conference Facility. Playing tonight through May 16th, 2010.
Show Times
Wednesday Matinee
Arrive for dinner 11:30 – 12:00 noon
Performance begins at 1:30 PM
Performance ends at approximately 4:00 PM
Thursday – Saturday Evening
Arrive for dinner 6:00 – 6:15 PM
Performance begins at 8:00 PM
Performance ends at approximately 10:30 PM
Sunday Matinee
Arrive for dinner 1:00 – 1:15 PM
Performance begins at 3:00 PM
Performance ends at approximately 5:30 PM
Coming up next at the Riverside:
For more information on Riverside Dinner Theater and Conference Facility check out their website at www.riversidedt.com.
To learn more about Fredericksburg, Virginia, leave comments, or ask questions, check out my other blogs at kathiesblog.wordpress.com or e-mail me at kathieabercrombie@mris.com. You can also find me on Facebook: Kathleen Lamkin Abercrombie
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