(Vero Beach, FL) Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, presents Almost Heaven a production showcasing the music of legendary entertainer, John Denver. Presented by Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers Group, Almost Heaven performs on the Stark Stage from May 10-29, 2022.
John Denver’s internationally acclaimed music and life are recalled and celebrated in a uniquely crafted Riverside Theatre production of Almost Heaven.
With his long hair and wire-rimmed “granny” glasses, Denver’s music presented an optimistic worldview and advocacy towards the environment.
At the age of 11, his grandmother gave him her classic 1910 Gibson guitar and his passion for music took off.
Denver’s ticket to fame came when his song, “Jet Plane,” became a number one hit for Peter, Paul and Mary and was followed by his own successful debut album, Rhymes & Reason.
A prolific singer-songwriter with over 300 recorded songs, he garnered the music industry’s highest awards and accolades including those for best entertainer of the year, best album, best song, and Grammy and Emmy awards. Denver garnered 12 gold and 4 platinum albums, which garnered 9 number one and 18 top ten hit songs.
And as the prime time of his musical career wound down in the 1980s, he turned his focus to humanitarian, environmental and nature conservancy issues, earning even more awards for his altruism.
Almost Heaven features nine very talented musician/performers playing over 40 different instruments as they showcase over 25 of Denver’s chart topping hits including: “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy,” “Annie’s Song,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and many more.
Directed by Sherry Lutken with David M. Lutken as Music Director, the nostalgic show features an ensemble cast including: Margaret Dudasik, David Finch, Allison Kelly, Morgan Morse, Leenya Rideout, Kris Saint-Louis, Sam Sherwood and EJ Zimmerman.
The production crew includes: Anne Shuttlesworth (Music Supervisor), Allen D. Cornell (Scenic Designer), Jordan Lippert (Assistant Scenic Designer), Kurt Alger (Costume & Wig Designer), Kenton Yeager (Lighting Designer), Josh Mullady (Assistant Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), Jack Audet (Associate Sound Designer), Joe Payne (Projection Designer), Lisa R. Stafford (Production Stage Manager) and Melissa A. Nathan (Assistant Stage Manager).
Almost Heaven performs May 10-29, 2022 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $45. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.
Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.
Performance Schedule:
May 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26 @ 7:30pm
May 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 28 & 29 @ 2pm
May 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 @ 8pm
Almost Heaven is is presented by Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers Group: Brad and Fran Anderson, Anonymous, Lois Appleby, Linda Aronberg, Anita Astrachan^, Carol Atkinson, Barbara Baldwin, David and Cynthia Bardes, Paul and Jayne Becker, Sam and Susie Bell, Dick and Sue Bergeman, Ted and Debbie Berghorst, Eric and Fuzzy Billings, Jerry and Anne Blatherwick, John and Anita Brennan, Peter and Susie Brinckerhoff, Bill and Laura Buck, Tim and Carol Buhl, Tony and Joyce Caldarone, Bill and Karen Campbell, Chris and Faris Chesley, Don and Rose Ciampa, Dottie Currie, Dick and Maryanne Davis, Willem and Marion de Vogel, Don and Vicky DeMuth, John and Sue Dobbs, VJ and Veronica Dowling, Bill and Laura Frick, Michael and Mary Fuller, Bob and Wheatie Gibb, Mary Jane “MJ”^ and Jennifer Grant, Herb and Anne Gullquist, Bill and Eva Gurley, Duke and Gael Habernickel, Robert and Pat Hemingway Hall, Dick and Rosemary Haverland, Calvin and Sally Hills, Joan and Michael Hoben, Dave Horner and Constance Pitcher, Ron Hunt and Lisa Amorosa, Dave and Barb Kaytes, John and Pam Kean, Robert and Nell Kleinschmidt, Judy and Lou LaFage, Bill and Joy Lane, Charlie Long, Betty MacMillan, Jacqueline Malloy, Jim Marver and Shirin Kaufman, Marilyn McConnell, Ray and Sonia McGowan, Mike and Sandy McManus, Brooke Megrue, Ted and Dawn Michael, Cliff and Sheridan Morris, Bob and Susan Morrison, Wally and Peggy Nelson, Jay Newman and Elissa Kramer, Bobbie Olsen, Don and Connie Patterson, Pat and Ed Pavlish, Michael and Kathie Pierce, Helen Post, Ted and Carol Price, John and Barbara Reed, Bill and Peg Regan, Michael and Anne Rhoads, Bob and Karen Ritter, John Roberts and Juli Blunt, Mary and Randy Rogers, Randy and Sandy Rolf, Ron and Nancy Rosner, Bill and Judy^ Schneebeck, Van Schreiber, Ned and Emily Sherwood, Dick and Nancy Shoemate, Tom^ and Anna Bain Slater, Joe and Mary Alice Smith, Stephanie Bennett-Smith, Dick and Stephanie Solar, Charlotte Stifel, Bill and Carolyn Stutt, Doug and Dhuanne Tansill, John and Tobey Taylor, Charlie and Sue Thomas, Janet Tribus, Marjorie P. Turley, Steve and Anne Warhover, Lorne Waxlax, Pat and Carol Welsh, Liz and Ken Whitney, Gail D. Williams
Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.