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Riverside Dinner Theater

SmilingOwl
SmilingOwl
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
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Grease: Talk About Nice Body Work!

I was wary to return to Riverside Center because of my last experience. But when my friend’s husband backed out, she begged me hand and knee to accompany her to see the overdone, fluff musical Grease! I was ecstatic to find that the food was much better. It was savory and scrumptious; however, it wasn’t as scrumptious as the show’s lead, Josh Kidd. As Greaser and bad boy, Danny, Kidd is talented and gorgeous enough to charm the knickers off a schoolmarm. His Adonis physique adds to the physical comedy. And Kidd sings beautifully to boot! In fact, all the T-Birds hold their own. I was shocked to see so much male talent on one stage. Cherie Wehle plays a less sassy Sandy than Olivia, but her singing voice is a true joy. This is the first time I’ve heard "Hopelessly Devoted" in a stage production, and I loved it. Ashleigh King and Anthony Williams (as Rizzo and Kenickie respectively) shine in their roles. King struts her acting chops with that defining Grease! coolness and has a killer belt. Williams conquers "Greased Lightning" with an awesome rock voice and endearing grit. The whole cast amazes, but Kidd is the main attraction. Buy two tickets, ladies! You’ll want to see it twice.

Mediocre Food, Worse Show

The food was the usual mass-produced product that gets churned out at your run-of-the-mill dinner theater. While Riverside has a nice space, its showmanship is lacking. Thoroughly Modern Millie was anything but. Thoroughly Boring Millie is more like it. The two leads--Jimmy and Millie respectively were so utterly boring that several of the ancient customers nearby actually FELL ASLEEP during their scenes. Both had killer voices but could not act their way out of a paper bag. The director cast himself-badly-in the show. Couldn't sing AT ALL and hit a few notes that I'm pretty sure even he could tell were awful. The only good parts were the girl playing the innocent one--Dorothy? Really a fantastic performer all around. Funny. And a shorter girl with a cutesy voice. She was hilarious. Otherwise, the whole thing was garbage. Don't bring the kids to this one. It's long with only moments of the two good performers here and there. Save yourself the $50 for Broadway. A back row seat is only $35 someone told me.

Riverside Dinner Theater

  • December 2, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by SmilingOwl from Stafford, Virginia
This is a great local dinner theater that has a wonderful menu and fantastic performances! The Scrooge is the current production, showing through December 31st then from January 7th to April 24th, 2005. Brigadoon will start.

You'll enter a grand ballroom area, check your coat, and visit the bar if you wish. You'll then enter the large theater, where there's really not a bad seat in the house. However, if you go with six people, the larger tables are front and center.

You can purchase tickets for either the show or for dinner and a show. We love to make a night of it! The menu offers about four or five choices, including vegetarian, fish, and meat selections. Dinner includes dessert and coffee. If you can get there on a Wednesday or Thursday, you save about $5 on the dinner/theater combo price.

This is a great place for a special night out -- a night you'll remember always.

From journal Hometown Destination

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