Resistance is futile. Riverside Theatre has packed this next season with so much music and fun that you will just have to get out and go experience live theater.

Indeed. That is the idea behind the season, says Allen D. Cornell, producing artistic director/CEO – to make the season so appealing that you just can’t say no.

“It has music in it familiar to people and that’s what they want,” he says.

The upcoming season is a departure from previous ones. First, there are no “straight plays” – the term used for non-musicals. Second, there are only four shows rather than five.

However, the shows will run four weeks instead of three.

For sure, last season was a brilliant one with five big, expensive, mainstage shows, and two critically acclaimed dramas produced on the theater’s second stage. The season broke even.

But despite the appeal and the acclaim, Cornell notes that Riverside, like many long-established theaters throughout the country, still can improve its audience turnout.

Cornell says theater leaders point to the years of individuals being shuttered in at the height of the pandemic. They got used to watching streaming services, which do not offer the same experience as live theater.

“What we do at Riverside, it’s worth coming out for,” he says. “It’s a community event.”

Riverside Theatre’s enthusiastic patron producer Brooke Megrue agrees. At 86 years of age, the Vero Beach resident says it’s time to get back to live theater. Like most, when the pandemic was at its peak, she’d watch performances via streaming services. But when live theater came back, she returned right away.

“It’s not the same,” she says. “No, no, no, no. With live theater, you get into it. The music gets you. It’s like a contagious joy.

“I’m going to get my most current shot and go out. You can’t stop living.”

Riverside has quite the lineup for Megrue – and everyone else – to enjoy.

The Stark Mainstage:

Oct. 24 to Nov. 12: “Million Dollar Quartet”

This is a Tony Award-winning musical that reimagines the historic evening when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins met up at Sun Records in Memphis for a rock ’n’ roll jam session. The music in this is sensational and it has a broad toe-tapping appeal. The show also has broad appeal for the performers, who get to not only sing but also create believable characters on stage. The show is directed by Greg Santos.

“Greg has done 11 productions of this show, so he knows this thing inside and out,” Cornell says. “There are just so many people out there who can pull these things off, who are good enough actors and who can play guitar and sing and not make you think they are impersonators.”

Jan. 2 to Jan. 28: “Jersey Boys”

Another Tony Award-winning true life musical, this time about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The show is filled with great music from the early ’60s and ’70s, like “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” Cornell attempted for years to get the rights to the show and finally succeeded.

“Growing up with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons was part of growing up,” Cornell says.

“It’s a great story on how they became famous.” It is directed by Gayle Seay and choreographed by Dena DiGiacinto.

Feb. 20 to March 17: “Kinky Boots”

This dazzling musical follows Lola, a female impersonator who needs some sturdy boots that will support his form, and Charlie, who just inherited his father’s failing shoe factory. The high-energy, all-singing, all-dancing show is a bona fide book musical, written by Harvey Fierstein. It has music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. It’s based on the 2005 British film.

“It’s kind of like ‘The Full Monty,’” Cornell says. “The storyline is appropriate to the times we’re living. It’s about an individual who is different and proud of who they are. It’s a big, glitzy show.”

It is directed and choreographed by DJ Salisbury, who directed and choreographed last season’s “Man of La Mancha” and “Honky Tonk Angels.”

April 9 to May 5: “On Your Feet”

Riverside Theatre has waited a long time to mount a production of this celebrated show, based on the lives and music of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. It includes more than 20 of Estefan’s biggest hits, including “Conga,” “1-2-3,” “Anything for You” and “Get on Your Feet.” There’s also a lot of dance.

Cornell says the uplifting story is one Vero Beach residents should enjoy. “And the Estefans lived here in Vero, built a hotel here, so we have that connection,” he says.

Tony Award-nominated Marcia Milgrom-Dodge is directing and choreographing the show. She also directed and choreographed Riverside’s 2019 production of “Evita.”

Waxlax Stage:

Jan. 30 to Feb. 18: “Morning after Grace.”

Written by Carey Crim, this new play follows Abigail and Angus, who meet at a funeral, and Ollie, a former baseball player. Set in a Florida retirement community, the play takes a comic look at love, loss and growing old.

“This is a nice new play, current, and it’s the kind of play that works well in our space,” Cornell says. Chris Clavelli directs. Clavelli directed last season’s critically acclaimed “Oleanna.”

March 19 to April 7: “Yankee Tavern”

One of playwright Steve Dietz’s most often produced plays, “Yankee Tavern” is set in a down-and-out bar in New York City. It revolves around Adam, the tavern owner, his fiancée Janet, and a stranger who all get involved in a conspiracy theory about the September 11 terrorist attacks. The play is described as a thriller with both introspection and comedy.

“Steven Dietz is a terrific writer,” Cornell says. “I love these plays that get people talking and debating.” Cornell is directing. He also directed last season’s acclaimed productions of “42nd Street,” “Bakersfield Mist” and “Butterflies Are Free.”

Main Stage single tickets are $45 to $90. You can get a 20 percent discount by buying a subscription ticket. Subscription tickets run from $128 to $336 and will be sold until the end of “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Second Stage individual tickets are $65. If you buy subscriptions to the mainstage, you can add Waxlax tickets to your subscription tickets and get a 20 percent discount.

Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.

Addendum

9 to 5: The Musical” runs March 3 to 24 at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, 2020 San Juan Ave., Vero Beach, Fla. The show was omitted from the Sept. 14 issue about VBTG’s upcoming season. Tickets are $34 to $40. Call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachThearreGuild.com.

Photos by Joshua Kodis