Riverside Community Players

I saw The Psychic last night at the Riverside Community Players. This is a nice little theater in the round, right next to Riverside Community Hospital. I didn’t even know it was there until last night, but what a cool little theater.
It only seats about 184 people, and parking was no problem, and free. The seats were comfortable, and I don’t believe there’s a bad seat in the place, as far as the view is concerned. Seating is first come, first served. The quality of the play was just OK, but still, a fun evening out, and very inexpensive.
They allow groups or clubs to buy out the theater for a really reasonable rate, and set their own ticket prices as a fundraiser. The performance last night was one of those situations, put on by the Riverside Newcomers & Neighbors Club. I think that’s a great idea, and I plan to go to more plays there in the future!

We LOVE the intimate surroundings and the clever set designs at the Riverside Community Players theater. With the unique «Theater-​in-​the-​round» setting, and basically 4 rows of elevated seats (total of 183) surrounding the circular center stage, there are really no bad seats in the house.
We have gone to at least 6 different productions and have really enjoyed all of them from comedy, to musical to drama/​mystery. Granted, there have been a few shows better than others, but ticket holders will really appreciate that these unpaid actors are from the community and really do have talent! Some of the set designs are so wonderfully crafted – and help put you into the stories.
Don’t be put off by the exterior of the building either! The refurbished interior has padded chairs that we found comfortable (don’t know what the other reviewers were talking about – the chairs fit us just fine!) and we like the smaller theater setting.
Folks there are friendly, ticket prices are an incredible bargain, and the live theater is unpredictably wonderful! We brought several friends to a show recently who had never been to this theater — and they were so impressed with the caliber of the acting and loved the theater in the round concept, that they definitely want to come back again!
We’re sold on this place and the shows they put on!

Sometimes the performances are really good and you don’t notice that you are crammed, stuffed and pushed into a seat — almost in the lap of the person next to you and your knees in the head of the person in front of you.
It’s theater in the round, with elevating seats, ala stadium… there really is no bad seat (VIEW WISE)
Now on to the boring bad performances… we have actually exited stage right at the intermission rather than endure the play AND the seats. If you are even somewhat of a regular — I was last year… you see the same actors every time you attend – over and over and over!
Redeeming quality — really cheap tickets.

Wife decided to take me to a play and asked if I would like to go to a Theater In The Round, to which I’ve never been to one before. The play in question was for «A Christmas Carol» (I’m a sucker for that in almost any form).
And so we went. Upon arrival I noticed that for some shows it’s best if you buy tickets ahead of time or make reservations. We actually had to wait in a queue until we were called. Thankfully we made it in. Also of note, the tickets were $ 8 each.
The theater itself is rather small. I’d guess maybe 100 or so people fit around the center stage. Those who come expecting high levels of acting will be disappointed, however it is enjoyable none the less. The decorations used were simple but fit the bill nicely and the actors all did a great job throughout the play.
During intermission, they held a raffle drawing for the kids. They like to encourage reading and gave away a book of the play being done, all autographed by the actors.
Overall I found it an enjoyable experience. Great if you have kids or small families who are into such things.