The show at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts centers on Hercule Poirot, the famed Belgian detective, tasked with unraveling the mystery of an American tycoon found dead in his compartment. The victim was stabbed multiple times, and the door to his room was locked from the inside. With the train immobilized and no escape possible, Poirot must sift through the alibis and secrets of the eclectic group of passengers to find the killer before they strike again.
Kevin Cleary steps into the shoes of Detective Poirot, delivering a performance that aligns well with the iconic sleuthâs meticulous and observant nature. His portrayal anchors the show, guiding the audience through the intricate investigation. Andrea Kahane, as Mrs. Hubbard, adds a layer of charm and wit to the production. Her character injects humor into the otherwise tense atmosphere, making her a memorable presence on stage. Kathy Helendaâs depiction of Princess Dragonmiroff is also noteworthy, particularly in her interactions with Stephanie Wood, who plays Greta Ohlosson. The chemistry between these characters enhances the unfolding drama and keeps the audience engaged.
For those new to Agatha Christie’s works or the character of Poirot, watching earlier films such as “Death on the Nile” (1978) and “Evil Under the Sun” (1982) can serve as a helpful introduction. These adaptations, starring Peter Ustinov, offer a glimpse into Poirot’s methodical approach to solving crimes and are available on various streaming platforms. Familiarizing myself with Poirotâs style of deduction enhanced my enjoyment of the stage play.
Beyond the mystery on stage, the dinner service adds a flavorful dimension to the experience. The menu is themed to match the eveningâs intrigue, with dishes like Killer Asian Pork Ribs and Poirot’s Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon setting the tone for the evening. The Yuzu cheesecake provides a refreshing end to the meal, while the aptly named “Mystery Pie” surprises with its fruit-filled goodness. The Ratchet, a cocktail blending lemon, honey, and bourbon, offers a satisfying way to unwind as the suspense builds on stage.
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc., and adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, “Murder on the Orient Express” runs from now until September 8 August 14, 2024, offering both dinner and show options. Tickets are priced in a range depending on age and whether a meal is included. Adult dinner and show tickets are $82, with discounts available for seniors and children. For those preferring the show only, adult tickets start at $65. An additional $5 online processing fee applies per ticket.
The production offers a variety of showtimes to accommodate different schedules. Wednesday matinees begin with meal service at 11:30 a.m., with the performance starting at 1 p.m. For evening shows from Thursday to Saturday, meal service runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7:30 pm. Sunday matinees follow a similar structure, with meal service at 1 p.m. and the show at 3 p.m.
Widewater State Park’s boat ramp in Stafford County, which was closed in mid-April due to a significant buildup of silt rendering it unusable, has reopened after a maintenance dredging project. The $26,383 dredging contract, awarded to Lake Services of Woodbridge through a competitive bid, successfully cleared the ramp, which officially reopened on July 12, 2023, followed by the scheduled opening of the paddle craft launch on August 16, 2023.
Press release
The boat ramp is open at Widewater State Park. The?ramp?area has been improved and is ready for use again after being closed for several months due to a maintenance dredging project.
âI am glad that we were able to dredge the boat ramp area in a timely manner so people can enjoy the park the rest of the season,â said Virginia State Park Potomac District Manager Ken Benson.
The park opened in 2018 and has been growing steadily ever since. The boat ramp was officially opened on July 12, 2023. The following month on August 16, the paddle craft launch was opened.
âThe new kayak launch has been the focus for many educational programs and fun gatherings as water accessibility is a key amenity at the park,â said Widewater State Park Manager Paul Anderson. âI am excited that the boat ramp is open again and people can access the park while enjoying water adventures.â
Widewater State Park is located at 101 Widewater State Park Rd., Stafford, VA 22554.
Check out the park webpage for more details and upcoming events.
The 2024 Arts Alive! Festival, a free and family-friendly event, will be held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 14, featuring art, dance, music, and more. Organized by the Prince William County Arts Council, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Hylton Performing Arts Center, the event includes performances, activities, food, and craft vendors, and will take place rain or shine.
Press release:
2024 Arts Alive! will feature art, dance, music and more
Free event takes place at Hylton Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 14
WHAT: Arts Alive! is Prince William Countyâs free, family-friendly community arts festival produced jointly by the Prince William County Arts Council, the County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The annual arts festival features the talents of Prince William County Arts Council members and other community performers and fine artists.
Enjoy activities for all ages, multiple stages of performances, food and craft vendors, and more! Come out and celebrate your local arts community!
Admission is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Event will take place rain or shine.
A full schedule of events will be released soon.
WHEN: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 12 noon – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
The fair, held annually since 1949, except 2020, was born from a dairy show started by returning World War II veteransâthe fair runs through August 17 at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, just outside Manassas.
We’re excited to launch “Local Lens,” a new feature where your photos and stories take center stage. Whether it’s a stunning sunset, a community event, or just a moment that made you smile, we want to see and share it!
Please send us your snapshots and comments via text at 571-989-1695 or email them to [email protected]. Your perspective makes our community unique; “Local Lens” is your space to showcase it.
Adam, the valet parking coordinator, stands out front on opening day on Friday, July 19, overlooking a newly paved lot, driveway, and entrance to the new hotel. âItâs fully open,â he said. There are a few parking spots out front, but the hotel has more parking in the parking garage across the street.
The Publisher is part of Marriott Internationalâs Tribute Portfolio, managed locally by Ragland at Greenwood Hospitality. The 98-room hotel features penthouse suites, guest rooms, 2,000 square feet of event space, and dining facilities in the Five Chophouse restaurant. The hotel rooms are called âupscale,â the lowest-priced room on the website is a Traditional King Room at the Member Rate, which is flexible for $246 a night. The rates topped out at $409 per night for a King Suite.
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Press release:
On August 9-11 and August 16-18, the 1989 dark comedy Heathers comes to life onstage at Castaways Theatre with Heathers: The Musical, featuring a talent-stacked cast of performers from across the DMV.
Heathers centers on high school student, Veronica Sawyer, fighting to survive the senior year to end all senior years, contending with bully jocks, clueless teachers, backstabbing “friends” and, of courseâmurder.
Heathers presents a heightened reality where the social stakes of high school are literally life or death. The bright, cartoonish color palette is contrasted by the dark and oftentimes controversial subject matter, offering the audience moments of shock, heartbreak, and laughterâheavy on the laughter.
âMy favorite thing is the amount of play Iâm able to get away with,â says Maddie Siepe, who plays Heather Chandler, one of the showâs central villains. âThe freedom to be unhinged and big in my choices is something that Iâve been starving for.â
While the original film was released in 1989, according to Castawaysâ cast of young performers, the central themes of Heathers still ring true.
âI believe this show resonates with a lot of people in different ways because itâs such a universal experience,â says Sophia Sharaa, who plays protagonist Veronica Sawyer, portrayed in the film by Winona Ryder. âWho am I? What am I doing? Where am I going? Why am I here? Those words resonate to everyone.â
âThose who hurt others hurt only themselves in the end,â adds Jax Berg, who plays Veronicaâs brooding love interest, Jason âJDâ Dean, played in the film by Christian Slater.
Revisit this nostalgic favorite set to a rousing pop-rock score, and enjoy the characters and catchphrases of the classic film like never before.
Heathers runs August 9-11 and August 16-18 at the A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191.
Tickets run $18 – $20 and are available for purchase at the door, or at castawaystheatre.org under âProduction & Auditions.â
About Castaways Theatre
Since 1981, weâve been committed to the local community, award-winning performances, and having fun in the process by producing plays and musicals. www.castawaystheatre.org
Tracy Lynn Cruz, known for her role as Ashley Hammond, the Yellow Ranger, in the 1990s Power Rangers series, will appear at Nova Gateway Comics and Toys, 2340 Plank Road, in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Cruz, who is also a mother of four, including two children impacted by Autism, uses her platform to support families facing similar challenges.
“I love meeting people. At the cons, I do a lot of meet and greets, and there’s also a lot of networking opportunities,” said Cruz. “That’s how I got connected with Nova Gateway Comicsâthrough networking at conventions.”
Cruz’s role as the Yellow Ranger started after transitioning from being a background actor in college. “I was a starving student and found out about background work to make extra money. Acting wasn’t on my radar, but I ended up being the Yellow Ranger,” she explained.
Reflecting on her experience as part of the new cast, Cruz stated, “It was a little intimidating because the ‘Mighty Morphin’ era was the OG era. We were filling big shoes, and it felt like they were training their replacements. It was bittersweet but very intimidating.” Cruz joined the franchise during the Power Rangers “Turbo” era.
In addition to her acting career, Cruz is actively involved in advocacy work through her organization, NuroLux, which she co-founded with her son’s therapist. “We advocate for families impacted by autism, helping them find their superpower and empowering them,” said Cruz. “My son, who has autism, inspired the organization. It helps families get connected with resources from testing to transitioning into adulthood.”
Cruz’s dedication to helping families affected by autism extends beyond her personal experiences. She aims to empower families to shift their focus from fear of the future to celebrating their successes and recognizing their progress. “It’s a support service for families, making it easier to find resources and empowering them to find their superpower. Autism often comes with incredible strengths once you find the right niche,” she explained.
Visitors to the Nova Gateway event can expect a welcoming atmosphere. “If you follow me on social media, you’ll see I’m very approachable. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories,” Cruz shared. “At smaller events like Gateway Comics, you get personalized one-on-one time. I have a lot of energy and love supporting local artists and communities.”
Cruz expressed her excitement about visiting Virginia and meeting fans. “I’m excited to visit Virginia, explore the historical sites, and meet everyone. I’m looking forward to supporting the community and hearing their stories.”
Press release:
WoodbridgeNaz (a Church of the Nazarene) is pleased to announce the grand reopening of the Woodbridge Nazarene Food Pantry Aug.13 featuring two events.
At noon, community representatives and donors are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour. Please RSVP at [email protected]
That evening, from 6:30 â 8:30 p.m., clients will receive free groceries. Thereafter, the pantry will be open the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. On-site registration is required and is provided during distribution hours. No income qualifications are required. The church is located at 14001 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, Virginia, 22912. The food pantry pavilion is at the rear of the building.
âRe-opening our pantry has been journey built on patience, collaboration, and trusting God. This celebration is a blessing for us and the community we serve,â said the Rev. Pamm Fontana, Senior Pastor. âIsaiah 58:10 teaches us, âFeed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as noon.â We are grateful for the opportunity to use the resources God has entrusted to us to be a good neighbor to our community.â
The food pantry paused in November 2023 to allow for construction. Prior to the administrative pause, the pantry served more than 20,000 people in the past year. Community members can volunteer to prepare and serve groceries. Contact [email protected] for pantry orientation dates. Potential clients can register for pantry updates in English and Spanish by texting (833) 417-5568.
The pantry is a joint effort between WoodbridgeNaz and Iglesia del Nazareno de Woodbridge. Generous support from surrounding communities helped make it happen. The Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince William provided funding for installation of a walk-in cooler and pavilion. Sentara Cares donated to remodeling the kitchen. Capital Area Food Bank and Northern Virginia Food Rescue (and their partners) generously provide food.
WoodbridgeNaz has long partnered with other organizations to be a food distribution site for our zip code, 22192. This area, along with neighboring zip codes 22125, 22193, and 22191, currently have high food insecurity rates.
The church actively serves the community in a variety of ways. A free Clothing Closet is available by appointment. A Community Connection Closet connects new, donated household goods to local non-profits and case workers. Together, these charitable endeavors are called the Community Connection Ministries.
The WoodbridgeNaz Community Connection Ministries mission statement is “Demonstrating the love of God through compassionate commitment to the community one person at a time” which supportâs the churchâs overall mission statement of making Christ-like disciples in all nations who are real, relevant, and relational.
WoodbridgeNaz was established in Woodbridge, Virginia, in 1966. Members built the current campus on the then-rural Smoketown Road in 1974. For over 55 years WoodbridgeNaz has worshipped Jesus and ministered to the needy and homeless in Prince William County and DC, while supporting the Church of the Nazareneâs ministries in 165 world areas. Church of the Nazarene is a protestant denomination in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. There are over 30,000 Nazarene churches globally with 2.7 million members.
For more information on the pantry and church, call (703) 670-2252; email [email protected]; or visit https://www.woodbridgenaz.com.
Chiquita Pena is set to compete in the Miss Veteran America competition in Orlando this October.
Pena, of Woodbridge, has been a Virginia resident for 13 years, originally hailing from North Carolina. “The military is how I found my way to Virginia,” Pena said. She served as an Army reservist, working in banking and later as a financial specialist and public affairs professional, with deployments to Afghanistan twice. “I served for 16 years,” she added.
Pena is now a Realtor in Virginia and juggles multiple roles, including government contracting and raising two children. She credits her Army training with her ability to handle diverse tasks.
Miss Veteran America is a competition that highlights the woman beyond the uniform, aiming to benefit women veterans through the nonprofit Final Salute, Inc. “Their sole mission is to provide safe and suitable housing for women veterans and their children,” Pena explained. She shared her personal connection to the organization, having lived in one of their transitional homes after returning from Afghanistan. “My daughter and I were able to make a thriving life with the help of Final Salute.”
Final Salute Inc. operates a transitional home in Alexandria, where women veterans can live for up to 24 months while receiving financial counseling, non-perishable food items, diapers, and other essential resources. Final Salute has assisted over 8,000 families through its services, emphasizing a hand-up approach to help women veterans regain their independence and dignity.
The nonprofit offers a range of supportive services, including transitional housing, financial assistance, and peer support, to help women veterans rebuild their lives and achieve stability.
The Miss Veteran America competition involves various elements, including interviews, advocacy, and a talent portion. “We are measured by our knowledge on Miss Veteran America, Final Salute, and issues surrounding women veterans,” Pena said. She emphasized her advocacy efforts, such as spreading awareness about women veterans’ homelessness and participating in fundraising efforts.
For the talent portion, Pena performed a lip-sync to “QUEEN” by Janelle Monae. She previously won the push-up competition, known as GI Joanne, in 2016. “Whoever reaches muscle failure last is the winner,” she explained.
As she prepares for the competition, Pena hopes to treat her 13-year-old daughter to the sights of Orlando. “Maybe going to the park or Disney would be great before the competition,” she said. She is also grateful for the support of her friends and family.
Pena represents Virginia in this national competition and encourages her community to support her through social media and sponsorship opportunities. “Please go to Miss Veteran America’s website and learn about the competition. Look at Final Salute’s mission and see how you can help,” she urged.
