My Vaudeville Man Class

A heartfelt two-person musical inspired by the real-life story of vaudeville performer Jack Donahue and his devoted mother, Mud. The show captures the push and pull between a young man’s yearning for stardom and his mother’s desperate attempts to shield him from the pitfalls of show business.

Class Topics: History of vaudeville, discussion of creating new works of theatre, details of Riverside’s production, and meet the writers.

Class Dates: Thursdays, October 8, 15 & 22

Class Times: 10am – 12pm (except October 15 – watching tech rehearsal in the afternoon).

Clue Class

Clue is a fast-paced stage farce and murder mystery inspired by the 1985 cult film and the classic board game. Set in 1954 at the remote Boddy Manor near Washington, D.C., six eccentric guests arrive for a dinner party hosted by the mysterious Mr. Boddy. When it’s revealed that each guest is being blackmailed, Mr. Boddy distributes the famous weapons and proposes murder to keep their secrets hidden.

Class Topics: History of the game, discussion of creating new works of theatre, and details of Riverside’s production.

Class Dates: Tuesday, January 5 and Thursdays, January 7 & 14

Class Times: 10am – 12pm (except January 7 – watching tech rehearsal in the afternoon).

The Mouse and the Mustache Class
WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION

In 1946, Walt Disney and Salvador Dalí—two icons from distinctly different worlds—met in Hollywood and began an extraordinary creative collaboration on the animated short film Destino. Both men were intrigued by the challenge of merging Disney’s imaginative animation with Dalí’s surrealist art.

Class Topics: History of Walt Disney and Salvador Dali, discussion of creating new works of theatre, details of Riverside’s production, and meet the writers.

Class Dates: Thursdays, January 21 & 28 and February 4

Class Times: 10am to 12pm (except January 28 – watching tech rehearsal in the afternoon).

Producing Theatre Class with Jon Moses, Executive Producer/CEO

Class Topics: Step behind the curtain and be part of the excitement on how we built the 2027–2028 season. This exclusive backstage access class puts you at the center of the action, offering insight into how artistic visions become unforgettable productions. Experience the buzz of planning and decision- making during a transformative moment for our campus, as a major capital project reshapes our creative future. From early concepts to final selections, you’ll get an insider’s view of the ideas, innovation, and ambition driving what’s next on our stage.

Class Dates: Thursdays, February 11 & April 1

Class Times: 10am to 12pm

On The Town Class

A musical theatre classic. Three sailors—Ozzie, Chip, and Gabey—arrive in New York City for 24 hours of shore leave, looking for fun and romance. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Book & Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

Class Topics: History of the show, Leonard Bernstein, Comden and Green, and Jerome Robbins and details of Riverside’s production.

Class Dates: Thursdays, February 18 & 25 and March 4

Class Times: 10am – 12pm (except February 25 – watching tech rehearsal in the afternoon).

The Light in the Piazza Class
A CO-PRODUCITON WITH PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS

The story of a mother and daughter traveling through Italy in the 1950s and the daughter’s instant attraction to a young Italian, but their attraction sets off a chain of encounters in this lyrical, romantic musical.

Class Topics: History of the show, discussion of co-productions (“co-pros”) with other theaters, and details of this joint production.

Class Dates: Thursdays, March 11, 18 & 25

Class Times: 10am to 12pm

Hairspray Class

Set in 1962 Baltimore, the award-winning musical follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, an upbeat, plus-sized teenager who dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.”

Class Topics: History of the movie, Jon Waters, the musical, and details of Riverside’s production.

Class Dates: Thursdays, April 8, 15 & 22

Class Times: 10am – 12pm (except April 15 – watching tech rehearsal in the afternoon).