Riverside Youth Theatre presents their second Summer Theatre Festival dedicated to youth. Two productions will be presented from their elementary and teen divisions: 101 Dalmatians and Godspell.  Over one-hundred children from ages 6 to 20 are participating in both productions.  Local youth actors from the Riverside area, as well as several from Victorville, Yucca Valley and Temecula are participating.

101 Dalmatians is a new musical created by Disney in conjunction with Music Theatre International. The Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, are happily raising their fifteen puppies in the London home of Roger and Anita. One day, their rich neighbor Cruella De Vil stops for a visit and notices a potential source for her fur coats! Roger refuses to sel l them and Cruella plots to steal them. Cruella’s plans are foiled and Roger, Anita and 101 Dalmatians live happily ever after. 101 Dalmatians is appropriate for children of all ages!  This Riverside Youth Theatre’s second student directed production.
 
Our production of Godspell is based on the 2001 revival produced by the Scott Schwartz, son of the composer. His goal was to find ways to make Godspell feel as contemporary to audiences today as it did when it was released in 1971. New staging, musical arrangements and video technology add to this classic musical. Godspell is about a group of individuals coming together under the leadership of Jesus. In act two, their community is challenged under stress, and they lose their leader. Godspell is a musical about human truths and relationships. This musical is not appropriate for children under 4 years.  Godspell’s production team is Debbie Wolgemuth (Director), Radames & Stacey Montes (Choreographers),  Sarah Horn and Steve Wolgemuth (Music Directors).
 
The Summer Youth Theatre Festival will be held at the Wallace Theater, on the campus of California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside. Tickets are $10 for all performances and $5 for the Outreach Performance. Seating is reserved. Call (951) 756-4240 to place your ticket reservation.
 
Performances will be:
 
101 Dalmatians
August 11 * 10:00 AM (Outreach Performance)
August 12,19 * 2:00 PM
August 12,19 * 4:00 PM
August 17 * 7:30 PM
 
Godspell
August 11,12 * 7:30 PM
August 12 * 3:00 PM
August 18,19 * 7:30 PM
August 20 * 3:00 PM
 
For more information, view our website at www.RiversideYouthTheatre.org or call (951) 756-4240. Riverside Youth Theatre is in their sixth season of providing family-friendly entertainment for the growing Inland Empire. They also provide training classes in acting, dance and voice. RYT has been honored with 22 Inland Theatre League Awards of Excellence.
 
NOTE: Performance dates and times are current and replace any previously announced.
 
101 Dalmatians and Godspell are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International , 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019.