Riverside Theatre serves up a lot of fun this weekend in its pursuit of showcasing young talent and raising funds for its education program. It starts with the Riverside Theatre for Kids celebrating 45 years of transformative theater education with an Alumni Showcase that promises both high-caliber performances. There will also be a talkback session and a Lobby Casino where guests can win prizes. The five talents are: David Calahan, a recent graduate of Indian River Charter Schumann School for the Visual and Performing Arts, who was a newsboy in “Gypsy” and in the ensemble of “Singin’ in the Rain”; Jamari Darling, who performed with the Gifford Youth Orchestra and in shows at Riverside including “Little Shop of Horrors” and on Broadway and beyond in big shows like “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,” the original tour of “Hadestown” and “Motown: The Musical”; Shannon Maloney, who performed in “Snoopy! The Musical,” “Big River” and “I Never Saw Another Butterfly”; Emily Rose Olsson, who participated in more than 30 productions, including standout roles “Thoroughly Modern Millie JR.,” “Seussical” and “The Pirates of Penzance JR.,” earned a BFA from Ball State University and is currently Riverside’s associate director of education; and Bryce Roux, who starred in roles like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” and Lord Farquaad in “Shrek The Musical JR.” Tickets to the Alumni Showcase are $25 with proceeds benefiting Riverside’s Youth Tuition Assistance Program. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17. The theatre’s youth performers return to the Stark Stage for “Legally Blonde: The Musical” with showtimes at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19. The production features a talented cast of local performers aged 13 to 20, and tickets are $20. Riverside’s Vegas-style Casino Nights runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19. The event features blackjack, roulette, craps, 3-card poker and slot machines. A $20 ticket buys $40 in casino chips. Guests can also enjoy drink specials, food and free “Live in the Loop” concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Proceeds help Riverside’s Youth Tuition Assistance and Community Engagement programs. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
Riverside Theatre’s popular Comedy Zone will also be open this weekend with tickets available for $25. This weekend’s standup comics are headliner Al Ernst and feature act Greg Schwartz. Ernest was Carnival Cruise Line’s “Entertainer of the Year,” and Schwartz frequently performed in clubs in Southwest Florida. Table seats are $25 and side seats are $15. Shows are at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19. There are Live in the Loop concerts before the shows as well as food and beverages for sale. The concerts feature the Fort Pierce Jazz Society on Thursday, July 17; Collins & Company Friday, July 18; and Riptide Saturday, July 19. Be sure to bring your lawn chair to those free outdoor concerts. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
