Riverdale Rising Stars to Host Reading of MID-LIFE 2! (THE CRISIS CONTINUES), 5/22-23

The Riverdale Rising Stars presents the first public performances of the new musical revue MID-LIFE 2! (The Crisis Continues). Written by brothers Bob and Jim Walton, the show will be presented as a staged reading starring Broadway guest performers on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 at 7:30pm.

Performances will be held at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, located at 5625 Arlington Avenue (just off of Riverdale Avenue and West 256th Street), in Riverdale, Bronx, NY. Tickets are free. For more information, visit http://riverdalerisingstars.com/mid-life-2-the-crisis-continues/.

MID-LIFE 2! (The Crisis Continues) is a hilariously tuneful look at the aches, pains, and joys of getting older. From ever-increasing trips to the doctor's office, to the horrifying moment when one qualifies for a senior discount, the ever-growing legion of aging Baby Boomers and beyond are sure to see their lives reflected in this witty musical revue.

The cast includes Nick Corley (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Mary Poppins), Jamey Hood (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Shaggs), Joe Kolinski (Titanic, LES MISERABLES, A Christmas Carol), Joe Ricci (A View from the Bridge; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), Laurie Walton (Show Boat), and Maryrose Wood (Merrily We Roll Along).

The original Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical premiered in 2006 and has since been produced in dozens of productions across the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. The show is licensed through the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, and a studio cast recording was released in 2008. According to co-author Bob Walton, "We've had terrific success with it and felt that we had left some scenes and situations out of the first version, and MID-LIFE 2 will give us a chance to visit those."

For information about Mid-Life 1, visit www.midlifethecrisismusical.com.

Bob Walton and his brother, Jim, co-wrote and performed in MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, which received the 1997 Bistro Award for best musical, as well as DOUBLE TROUBLE (A Musical Tour de Farce). Their most recent collaboration is MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL, which had its 2006 world premiere at The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Minnesota. Bob was co-author of the critically acclaimed Off Broadway play GAME SHOW and has directed the play in Atlantic City and Toronto. As an actor in New York, Bob has appeared as Bert Barry in the revival of 42nd STREET, THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1936, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, SHOW BOAT, CITY OF ANGELS, I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, Forbidden Broadway STRIKES BACK and PREPPIES. He has many regional and stock credits, including CRAZY FOR YOU, THE PAJAMA GAME and Psuedolus in A FUNNY THING... FORUM at The Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park and the St. Louis Repertory Theater. Bob sang and played piano in the feature film After The Storm (starring Benjamin Bratt) and was seen on the TV shows Law and Order: SVU, Hope and Faith, Newhart, Eisenhower and Lutz, Pro's and Cons and Picket Fences. Married to Laurie Walton, they have two children: Emily and Alexander, and their dog, Zangler.

Jim Walton has written with his brother, Bob, since 1991 when they wrote and performed in, MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, originally a Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit. This show later played the Pasadena Playhouse and several other regional theaters. Jim and Bob went on to collaborate on a two-actor musical, DOUBLE TROUBLE, in which they performed at Goodspeed at Chester and Stage One in Wichita, Kansas. This led to their creation of MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL, which along the way to its production at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has starred notables such as Beth Leavel, Pam Myers and Michelle Pawk. Jim also appeared with Bob in THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1936 (revival) for Encore Presentations. His Broadway credits as an actor include: THE MUSIC MAN (2000 revival), SWEENEY TODD (1989 revival), 42ND STREET and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, among others. Off-Broadway credits are: AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, CLOSER THAN EVER and SCRAMBLED FEET. Jim also starred as 'Bobby Child' in CRAZY FOR YOU, 'Young Buddy' in FOLLIES: IN CONCERT and as a principal in THE ALL NIGHT STRUT, all taped by PBS. He has performed in countless musicals across the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Jim was born in Tachikawa, Japan, raised in Marion, Indiana and graduated from the University of Cincinnati's, College-Conservatory of Music.

Riverdale Rising Stars was created to provide the teens of the Riverdale community and beyond a professional repertory company experience. Since its inception 12 years ago, the organization has expanded its programming to include Rising Stars Jr. and Riverdale Repertory Company. Of greatest importance is the way that all build self-esteem, learn enormous respect for others, develop camaraderie and create lifelong friendships. Together, these award-winning companies provide a world of expression, passion and creativity for all ages.

Other upcoming productions include THE PAJAMA GAME performed by the teens of Riverdale Rising Stars (May 2-12), WHEN YOU WISH UPON A LITTLE STAR: A DISNEY REVUE, featuring children ages 6-8 (May 29); BABES IN ARMS, with actors ages 8-11 (June 6-9), SEUSSICAL JR., with performers ages 8-11 (June 13-16), and SONGS FROM "AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND", with adult actors performing Kander & Ebb songs (June 20).

The mission of the Riverdale YM-YWHA is to be the hub that brings together members of the Jewish and wider community. At the Y, individuals and families of all backgrounds and abilities gather to grow, to learn, and to deepen their understanding of themselves and their connections to one another. Rooted in Jewish values, our cultural, social, educational, health and wellness programs offer members of all ages multiple pathways into the richness of our local community life. Through our programs and partnerships, we strive to improve the quality of life in the Riverdale community and celebrate its uniqueness and its diversity. www.RiverdaleY.org

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