Riverside Dinner Theater Presents: The Best Little Whorehouse in TEXAS

YEE HAW!!!  Come on out to Riverside between now and May 1^st for some foot stompin, knee slapping country entertainment compliments of Miss Mona’s “Chicken Ranch” and her hip shakin, limber bodied call girls.  Yes, the “Chicken Ranch” is one of them kinda places.  You know….!!!!  Ah shucks, It’s just a “Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place and there’s nothing dirty goin on.”  Least that’s what the song says. 

The story is based on THE “Chicken Ranch”; supposedly one of the oldest continuously running Brothels in the nation.  Everybody knew about “The Chicken Ranch” but everybody looked the other way.  That is until Watchdog reporter Melvin Zindler (Melvin P. Thorpe in our production) and his “Dogettes” started broadcasting the existence of this house of ill repute, this Brothel, this “Whorehouse” all over the news.  Watch the sparks fly in a media frenzy worthy of a spoof on the Johnny Carson Show.

Of course anytime you showcase the attributes of Texas, Cowboy football has to make an appearance.  And what an appearance they make.  Have you ever wanted to take a peak inside the locker room and see all those well-developed stallions in all their glory?  Well they come close to exposing it all.  No, my pictures here aren’t going to give it ALL away!!!

This production fills the stage with lots of familiar faces as many cast members from Chicago, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Hair Spray continue to amaze the audience in new dramatic endeavors.  Riverside welcomes two new leading actors to this production.  Kathy Halenda graces the stage In the lead role of Mona Stangley; the madam of the Chicken Ranch, and Christopher Gillespie plays a totally convincing Texas Sheriff,  Ed Earl Dodd.  Also debuting in this production are Nancy M. Furey as Durla, a Melvin P. Thorpe singer, and Doatsey Mae understudy; Brandi Long as Taddy Jo and a Melvin P. Thorpe Singer;  Justin Mohay as a farmer, a football player and a Dogette;  Melvin Shoemaker as a male swing, and Julie Sowers as a female swing and Shy understudy.  A Great start for these up and coming actors.

Directing this production of “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is the uncompromising, not so new anymore, Associate Artistic Director for Riverside Dinner Theater, Patrick Ahearn.   Patrick is joined by the fabulous choreographer you know from Footloose and Chicago, Christopher Noffke and the wonderfully talented Jason Michael as Musical Director.  You will see Jason on the stage also as the lively and colorful reporter Melvin P. Thorpe.      

Call and make your reservations early.  Running till May 1, “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” closes out Season Twelve at the Riverside Dinner Theater. 

Season ticket packets consisting of 1 ticket for each of the 5 main shows in Season Thirteen are now available.  Season Thirteen (2011 – 2012) opens May 6th and will showcase:

Hello Dolly   May 6 to July 3, 2011 (Celebrity Actress Sally Struthers will be playing the part of Dolly)

All Shook Up   July 8 to Sep. 11, 2011

Dream Girls   Sep. 16 to Nov. 20, 2011

A Special 6 week performance of White Christmas  Nov. 26^th to Dec. 31, 2011 (not included in the season ticket packet)

Miss Saigon   Jan. 6 to Mar. 4, 2012

Cabaret   Mar. 9 to Apr. 29, 2012

 

Riverside Dinner Theater and Conference Facility

95 Riverside Parkway,  Fredericksburg, VA  22406

540-370-4500      http://www.riversidedt.com

 

 

This Blog written by:

Kathie Abercrombie

Realtor

Avery Hess Realtors

774 Warrenton Rd.

Fredericksburg, VA  22406

Kathieabercrombie.averyhess.com

kathieabercrombie@mris.com  

Riverside Dinner Theater Presents “HAIRSPRAY”

Famed award winning Broadway musical “Hairspray” opens at Riverside Dinner Theater this weekend.  Running for a short eight weeks you need to make your reservations NOW.  This is a can’t miss production.    

 

The dancing, the music, the color, the comedy, the poignant message; it’s all there.  Take a trip back to the 1960’s when girls wore hoop skirts and hair was BIG.  The story takes you from the streets of Baltimore to a high school detention class to the glitz of the Corny Collins TV show and to a police jail.  Nothing can squelch the hopes and dreams of one vivacious fearless teenager, Tracy Turnblad.

An abundance of colorful yet simple sets compliment the acting and clearly define the location and mood of each scene. Movement and scene changes seemed effortless and never distracting.

 

 

 

Director Mark Minnick gives this commentary: “Hairspray is about acceptance – acceptance of everyone for who they are.  We all may have different shapes, sizes and colors, but we are all human beings deserving of equality and respect.  Tracy embodies this spirit.  She doesn’t understand why everyone can’t dance together on TV and makes it her mission to change that.  Along the way, she changes the lives of the people she touches.”

 

You will be “touched” by this heartwarming, fun, loving musical.  If you like the movie, you will not be disappointed in Riverside’s production.  The cast sparkles in voice, costume and performance.  I tried to come up with a few favorite singing and acting portrayals that particularly inspired me, but there is so much great talent in this show, I could not “discriminate”.  I trust you won’t either.   

 

 

“Hairspray premiered on Broadway in 2002, where it ran for almost 7 years and won 8 of the 13 Tony Awards for which it was nominated.”      

For show times, tickets and more information go online to http://www.riversidedt.com or call them at 540-370-4500.

This Blog written by: Kathie Abercrombie

Realtor Avery Hess Realtors, Inc.

kathieabercrombie@mris.com

kathiesblog.wordpress.com

kathieabercrombie.averyhess.com

It’s A Wonderful Life opens at Riverside Dinner Theater

This Holiday season take a trip back in time to 1921 Bedford Falls to visit the Bailey family and the endearing story of “It’s a Wonderful Life”.  Directed by Joseph Wallen, this adaptation of the beloved Christmas film graces the Riverside stage combining a rich orchestrated score superbly performed by a talented cast with both traditional and new twists sure to please the most ardent “Wonderful Life” film fan.

“This show makes you appreciate home and the effect you have on the lives of those around you…  You never really know how wonderful your life is till you have a threat of losing it” says one of the Riverside cast members. 

A touching story spanning the years of 1921 to 1945 in hometown America, Wonderful Life is a basic tale of building a life and the choices young people have to make as they face the struggles of events and economic conditions around them;  A perfect example of how some things never change.  Wholesome and endearing, the whole family will love this sweet, sentimental live performance.

As Joseph Wallen presents his premier directing endeavor at Riverside Center, he is by no means a stranger to theater.  Two decades of experience in every aspect of theater gives Joseph an accomplished ability to capture your hearts with a heartwarming stage performance of this classic film. 

I urge you all to make your reservations soon.  Running from December 1st through January 2nd, many shows have already sold out.  Don’t forget the annual New Years Celebration that includes dinner, the performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, champagne, dancing and lots of fun till the wee hours of the morning.  This special New Years celebration has special pricing. 

For more information visit the website at riversidedt.com

This Blog written  by:

Kathie Abercrombie

Realtor

Avery Hess Realtors, Inc.

kathieabercrombie@mris.com

kathiesblog.wordpress.com

kathieabercrombie.averyhess.com

Sweet Places to Indulge in Olde Towne Fredericksburg, Virginia

Olde Towne Fredericksburg is always a great place to visit.  From antique stores, book sellers, specialty shops, and the old regulars like Corky’s, Pickers Supply and Goolrichs to Carriage rides, Trolley tours or hoping aboard “The City of Fredericksburg” for a dancing and dining cruise on the Rappahannock, the opportunities are endless. 

But I want to direct your attention today to the sweet side of Fredericksburg and share with you a few of my favorite places to indulge.

The first is especially known for the daily hand-made on the premises Fudge.  It’s the “Fudge Factory”, also known as the “Olde Time Lollipops, Candy and Fudge Factory”.  Find your favorite old-fashioned candy or indulge in a couple of their 16 flavors of Hershey’s Ice Cream.  The Fudge, lovingly custom made by confectioner Cheri is incredible.  Our office loved the chocolate peanut butter, the maple walnut and the chocolate amoretta.  But check out all 14 specialty flavors Cheri creates.  Smooth, rich, decadent and superbly Sweet, the Fudge Shop is the first stop on our Sweet tour of the Burg.  But beware, this store is addicting.  705 Caroline St. (Directly across the street from the Visitors Center).  Visit their store, fax them your order or order on-line at their website today.  oldetimelollipops.com  (540) 371-4973 (fax) or e-mail them at fudgefactory@oldetimelollipops.com

 

The second in our appreciation for the sweet side of the burg is Wally’s Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe.  I can smell the rich aroma from here in my office.  MMMMmmmm, what flavor will I choose today?  Do I want one of their 60 fabulous home-made ice cream flavors or one of their sorbets or sherberts?  Wait maybe I’ll have a sugar-free frozen yogurt or fat-free ice cream.  Oh I know what I want.  A delicious rich, creamy milk shake.  Lemonades, Limeades, ice cream cakes and baked goods add to the sumptuous sweet air swirling out onto the street at 821 Caroline.  Become a fan by liking on Facebook.  Oh I forgot about the Sundaes.  Well there’s always tomorrow. 

 

Now how do you define sweet? I think you might agree that anyway you pour it, a cup of hot (or cold) swirling beverage from the Hyperion Espresso would also qualify as a “sweet” experience.  I recently stopped by this landmark corner coffee-house, sat at an outside table resting my feet from walking all over downtown and enjoyed a hot decaf mocha latte with an almond biscotti.  Talk about decadent, I felt extremely pampered.  Take your pick of an endless array of espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, chocolate and white chocolate mochas, regular and decaf coffees etc.  Or enjoy a chai tea, herbal tea, specialty blend tea, hot chocolate, or hot cider to warm you inside and out.  Cold treats at the Hyperion Espresso include frozen fruit blends, coffee blends, smoothies and more.  Bring your lap top, newspaper or current page turner and just sit and relax indoors or out with your favorite beverage.  Pair it with a huge Cookie, English Scone or Biscotti.  The Hyperion Espresso is open Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 8 to 8 on the corner of William Street and Princess Ann St.  The building speaks volumes of historic sights and sounds but the menu and ambiance is state of the art and world-class. 

 

Two additional sweet treats in Fredericksburg that I have not tried yet are:

Scoops Whistle Stop Ice Cream – This intimate franchise store hails from Chicago, Illinois and offers anything Ice Cream from Waffle and fancy candy coated cones to banana splits and a strawberry short-cake explosion.  Two locally owned and operated stores, Scoops on White Oak and Scoops Whistle Stop offer super premium home-made ice cream for those in the Fredericksburg Virginia area.  Become a fan of “scoops on white oak and scoops whistle stop” on Facebook and get a look at their specialty ice cream cakes for those special occasions.  540-370-4040.

and

Pa Dutch Food and Candy Company –   This unique place is at 1006 Caroline Street and is connected to Pennsylvania Dutch Food products and candies, some of which are hand-made like their lollipops.  You will find not only old-fashioned candy like Happy Hippos, Candy Cigars, Bacon candy and stuffed marshmallows, but also a wide variety of gourmet salsa’s, pastas, nuts, jams, jellies, snack mixes and other specialty foods.  May be a great place to put together a gift basket for the up coming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  They may have great deals on leftover Halloween Candy.    

All this sweet writing is giving me a sweet tooth.  Where’s that fudge?

This blog written by:

Kathie Abercrombie

Avery Hess Realtors, Inc.

774  Warrenton Rd.

Fredericksburg, Va  22406

Famed musical “CHICAGO” opens at Riverside

Riverside Dinner Theater is proud to finally bring the seductive tony award-winning Broadway sensation “Chicago” to its stage.  Pursuit of the licensing rights for Chicago began four years ago.  Timing is perfect as I witnessed last evening, with the uncompromising direction of Patrick A’Hearn whose experience and passion for this show electrifies the stage from the first voice to the last.

“Murder, greed, corruption, violence, adultery, and treachery;  All those things we hold dear to our heart” booms the announcer as the Curtin opens to show a misty video depiction of an actual event in 1924 that inspired this musical.  “In this town murder is a form of entertainment”.

Opening Friday September 24, 2010 and running through November 27^th many  dates are already close to being sold out.  From the sharp, seductive choreography directed by Christopher Noffke to the powerful voices and perfect casting you will find it hard to believe you are not sitting in one of New York’s Broadway theater’s.  Velma Kelly played by the accomplished performer, choreographer and Riverside summer camp drama instructor Vilma Gil captivates and seduces the audience.  New to Riverside is the award-winning international performer and dance instructor Sabra Michelle who ignites the audience in her brilliant portrayal of Roxie Hart.

Add to these two leading ladies an incredible performance by professional singer, performer, artist and writer Wynn Creasy as Matron of the prison Mama Morton; the debonair and distinguished portrayal of lawyer Billy Flynn by Riversides multi talented Gary Best;  the humble and lovable groveling of Roxy’s husband , Amos Hart played so convincingly by another Riverside principal actor John Hollinger and the delightful antics of reporter Mary Sunshine, beautifully played by recent VCU school of arts graduate M. James (I won’t give away the surprise disclosure of this reminiscent character, but Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams would be proud) and you have the potential for one of the best productions Riverside has ever done. 

The stage is set from the beginning and with a few moving pieces seamlessly transforms from a vaudeville stage to prison cells to a courtroom.  Actors appear from below the stage, step up into the heights, climb ladders, extend out into the audience and stretch across the entire width of the platform as extensive lighting effects set the mood of each scene.    There is no holding back on the risqué attitude, language and look of this musical as the stage is sweltering with Hot moves, Hot bodies and Hot songs.   Be “Razzle, Dazzeled” with “All that Jazz”, “Cell Block Tango”, “When you’re good to Mama”, “All I care about is Love”, “Roxie”, “Mister Cellophane”, “Honey Rag” and more.

For more information on Riverside dinner theater and conference facility check out  their website at www.riversidedt.com. Or call the box office at 540-370-4500 and reserve your tickets today.

                                                                                                                                                                                            

This blog written by:

Kathie Abercrombie

Realtor with Avery Hess Realtors, Inc.

774 Warrenton Rd.

Fredericksburg, VA  22406

kathieabercrombie@mris.com

kathieabercrombie.averyhess.com

kathiesblog.wordpress.com