NEWS RELEASE

Riverside Theatre for Kids will present a Zoom summer camp featuring the new musical, The Big One-oh! Based on the beloved book by Dean Pitchford, this online summer camp runs from July 13– 24, 2020.

Charley Maplewood has never been one for parties – that would require friends, which he doesn’t have. Well, unless you count his monster friends, but they’re only imaginary. But now that he’s turning ten—the big one-oh—he decides to throw a birthday party for himself, complete with a “House of Horrors” theme. Of course, things don’t work out as he plans. Will Charley be able to pull it together before the big one-oh . . . becomes the big OH-NO!?

The Big One-Oh! features lyrics by Academy Award-winner Dean Pitchford (author of the novel, Footloose), music by the acclaimed Tony-nominated Doug Besterman (Elf, Young Frankenstein), and a book by iTheatric’s award-winning playwright Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, James and the Giant Peach).

“Theatre is all about storytelling and this is just a new way to tell a story,” says Kevin Quillinan, Director of Theatre Education at Riverside Theatre and Director for the online musical. “We are very excited by the prospects of using a different medium to present a play and keep our students together.  By choosing to see this as an opportunity to create art utilizing unique methods, we are teaching our students about persevering through challenging situations and the importance of community no matter what.”

The summer camp will start July 13 and run three times a week for the next three weeks ending on the 24^th of July. “Camp Classes” will be from 2pm to 4pm on Mondays through  Fridays. There will be a maximum of 20 students in the camp. No auditions will be required to enter the program and roles will be cast during rehearsals. Cost for the online class is $300.  A final video performance of the show will be provided to families!

Students can sign up for the class at www.riversidetheatre.com/youth-classes.

Every member of the cast will need a computer with secure and reliable internet access, and a device, such as a smart phone, computer,
or tablet that allows students the ability to record themselves singing and dancing.  For the rehearsals, cast members will need to be in a space that is relatively noise-free, where they can sing at full voice and perform any choreography full out.

“I’m looking forward to the exciting performances these young performers will bring,” says Mr. Quillinan. “Although we will not be in the same room, collectively, they will still bring the magic of theatre.”

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.