[Riverside Guest] LETTER: This was my first visit to Riverside

Dear Mr. A’Hearn

It is with a full heart and happy spirit that I reach out to you to say how thankful I am for the opportunity to have been in the audience for the May 4th matinee of Camelot! If at any time the actors feel like “it’s just another show”, please let them know that to us (the audience members), it is much more! It’s a time to escape our daily lives of work and family and bills to pay and be transported into a land of kings and queens and knights and magic.

This was my first visit to Riverside and, thanks to your amazing team, it will not be my last. From the moment I walked in the doors to the box office to purchase my ticket, I was greeted with warmth and kindness and was excitedly looking forward to the show. Your box office staff is the epitome of friendliness and professionalism. I served as assistant box office manager at a regional playhouse in New York and I was very impressed.

Walking in to the theatre on May 4th I was nervous and unsure of what to do as it has been a long time since I had been to a show. Without hesitation, I was put at ease by Jarrett Bloom who escorted me to my table, welcomed me to the theatre, and periodically checked up on me as I was flying solo that day. My waitress Sarah was attentive and efficient and kind and managed all her tables with the utmost of ease. Lunch was delicious…I even ate all my vegetables!

The lights do down and the spotlight comes up, you greeted the audience as if you had known us all for years as personal friends. Your warmth and passion for this show was evident on your face and it made us excited to see what would happen when the curtain would go up! The added “twist” you added to your interpretation of Camelot with the Kennedy administration was interesting and nostalgic. I’ve never seen it presented that way before. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

As the actors took their places on stage, they weren’t merely people pretending to be someone else for a couple hours. We believed we were there in Camelot watching King Arthur and Guinevere and Lancelot and all the knights and maidens. It wasn’t just a show to me, it was an escape into a wonderful story. I call out Christopher Sanders who was, by far, the best King Arthur I’ve ever seen…a perfect combination of strength, vulnerability, and humor. To Travis Keith Battle whose voice was strong and echoed through the house with passion and intensity. Quinn Vogt-Welch was a Guinevere of grace and poise and we could see the struggle of her emotions for her husband and his best friend. The ensemble were talented and entertaining and brought life to each of their characters.

Again, accept this note of thanks for all you bring to the community and for the joy you brought to me. It was an afternoon I won’t ever forget. These treats are but a small token of my appreciation to you, the cast, crew, and staff at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

Best,

Annette Sarnicola

PS…maybe I’ll visit Camelot one more time before it fades away!