Sunday June 14, 2026

5:00pm Pre-Show Reception | 6:30pm Show
Riverdale Y | 5625 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, NY

Honoring Laurie Walton

For 25 Years of Dedication to Performing Arts at Riverdale Y
Tickets
Sponsorship
Raffle

This Year's Production: Something Rotten!

Our production of Something Rotten! will feature several Broadway stars, an on-stage orchestra, plus members of the Riverdale Rising Stars and Riverdale Rep theater companies. 

Principal Cast of Broadway Stars

Katie Adams

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Katie Adams (Lady Clapham) Broadway: Wicked. Nat'l Tour: Wicked, Urinetown, Grease. Off-Broadway: Vanities, Second Stage; Henry SweetHenry (Gil), York Theatre; Cam Jansen, Lamb's Theatre. TV/Film: A Very Wicked Halloween, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Graduate of The Boston Conservatory. www.katieadamsstudio.com

Ben Fankhauser

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Ben Fankhauser (Nigel Bottom) is best known as the original Davey in Disney’s Newsies on Broadway. Other New York credits: Mack & Mabel and Dear World (Encores!), A Commercial Jingle For Regina Comet (co-author), Ghost of John McCain. Nat'l Tours: Beautiful, Spring Awakening. BFA: Ithaca College. Thank you for supporting the arts! @PlzNfankU

Mitch Greenberg

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Mitch Greenberg (Shylock) has been acting for over half a century and thinks he’s finally got it right. A dozen Broadway shows (debuting as Groucho in Hollywood/Ukraine; most recently as Lazar Wolf in Fiddler), another dozen Off-Broadway, and numerous tours. He’s been seen in sitcoms, dramas, feature films, shorts and commercials. His voice may be heard in many films, TV shows, and audiobooks he’s narrated.

David Hibbard

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David Hibbard (Nostradamus) recently completed the National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire (Mr. Jolly/Judge/Doctor) following its Broadway run. Other Broadway: Something Rotten!, Billy Elliot, Elf, Spamalot, A Class Act, Once Upon a Mattress, and Cats. Tons of Off-Broadway, regional theatre, and numerous television, radio, and documentary narrations.

Patrick John Moran

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Patrick John Moran (Peter Quince) MFA: UCF. National Tours: Something Rotten, Asher/Baker in Joseph...Dreamcoat. Regional: The 25th...Spelling Bee (Chicago Company/Drury Lane), The Music Man (Cape Playhouse), Man of La Mancha (Flat Rock Playhouse, STAGES St. Louis), The Full Monty (Capital Rep), My Fair Lady (Riverside Theatre), The Boys Next Door (Identity Theatre Company). For Dad.

Aaron Michael Ray

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Aaron Michael Ray (Minstrel) National Tours: A Wonderful World and Come From Away. Off-Broadway: Ghost of John McCain, The Low Road, and Spamilton. Regional: The Old Globe, Denver Center of The Performing Arts, Speakeasy Stage Company/Front Porch Arts Collective. TV: "Daredevil: Born Again". BM from Berklee, MFA from The Boston Conservatory.

Alex Walton

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Alex Walton (Shakespeare) Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie (5th Avenue Theatre), Brad in Rocky Horror (Pioneer Theatre), David in Extra Innings (VOD), and FBI: Most Wanted (CBS). Forever thankful to his mother for creating this magical little world. Alex just really loves his whole family and getting a chance to share this tiny stage with them. Shout out to Olive, Blossom, Max and LMK.

Bob Walton

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Bob Walton (Nick Bottom) Broadway: Girl From The North Country, The Drowsy Chaperone, 42nd Street, Once Upon A Mattress, Showboat, City of Angels. TV: Law & Order: SVU, Nurse Jackie, Person of Interest, The Good Wife. Writer: Can You Dig It? The Off-Broadway play Game Show, Mid-Life!, Mid-Life 2!, A Day In Gloucester, Double Trouble, A Hollywood Ending. The best part is performing with Laurie, Emily and Alex.

Emily Walton

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Emily Walton (Portia) went from being in the first RRS production ever to performing on a few Broadway stages, most recently in Come From Away (which you can also watch her in on Apple TV+)! Emily is now proud to be working as a psychotherapist in Manhattan with Creative Care Mental Health Counseling. Cheers to mom and her unbelievable legacy. Enjoy the show.

Jim Walton

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Jim Walton (Special Appearance) Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, 42nd Street, Come From Away, Sweeney Todd, The Music Man, On the 20th Century, She Loves Me, Sunset Boulevard. Off-Broadway: And the World Goes ‘Round, Scrambled Feet, Closer Than Ever. TV: “Crazy For You,” “Company,” “Sondheim! The Birthday Concert,” “Follies.” Film: Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.

Laurie Walton

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Laurie Walton (Bea) brought Riverdale Rising Stars to the Y 25 years ago, never imagining the impact it would have on countless teens, adults & children. As an actor Laurie has been seen on Broadway, TV, & in regional theaters all over the country. Married to Bob Walton, they are most honored to be the parents of Emily & Alex Walton. And now, giddy grandparents to 28 month old Olive AND 9 month old Blossom!!

Matt Wolpe

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Matt Wolpe (Brother Jeremiah) Broadway/Off B’way/Tours: Rock of Ages, Finding Neverland, A Wonderful World, Beau, Once, Pygmalion. TV: We Crashed (Apple), SNL, The Intermission Talk Show. Wolpe is also an award winning songwriter and multi instrumentalist . Love and Thanks to Leah, The Wolpe’s, and ALL Waltons! MattWolpe.com @MattWolpe.

Raffle Prizes Include

Yamaha U3 Upright Piano

Valued at more than $6000 donated by Laurie and Bob Walton. Moving fee of $500 included.

Weekend In The Catskills

2 nights between June and October 2026. Dates subject to availability. View home here. 

50,000 rewards points on JetBlue Airline

Mosaic Status for 1 year, valid until January 2028

Field level seats, Clover Club access, 2026 season weekday game

Dates decided with winners.

One free flute lesson.

One free piano lesson.

Package of 3 personal training sessions at Riverdale Y, 30 minutes each

$85+ Value

Free Family Membership at Riverdale Y for one year.

Free tuition for one semester of Riverdale Rising Stars or Jr. Rising Stars.

2 available.

Show TBA. Dates decided with winners.

2 winners. 

Free registration for 1 Kid’s Space Vacation Day Camp during the 2026-27 school year.

2 winners.

$50 to Emiliano’s Market in Riverdale.

5 winners.

Free tuition for one semester of Little Rising Stars.

Valid for full summer enrollment, to be used by Summer 2027.

2 winners. 

Free participation for one Riverdale Rep production.

2 available.

Admission for 2 to the Museum of Modern Art.

Free trial dance class at Riverdale Y dance during the 2026-27 season.

2 winners.

Package of 5 private swim lessons at Riverdale Y, 30 minutes each

Value $125

About the Honoree

Prior to creating the award-winning Riverdale Rising Stars, Laurie was an actor – seen on Broadway, Television and in Regional theaters around the country. She was also a Talent Agent, opening the East Coast Branch of a Los Angeles based agency; now known as Wolf Talent.
Laurie is married to Actor/Writer/Director, Bob Walton, who has been seen on Broadway, TV, Regional Theaters. Together with his actor brother, Jim Walton, they have written four musicals that are represented by Concord Theatricals. They have enjoyed recent success in Japan, with the shows Double Trouble & its sequel: A Hollywood Ending, which have been extremely well received in both Tokyo & Okinawa.
 
Bob & Laurie are the incredibly proud parents of Rising Stars Alums, Emily & Alex Walton – who have been seen in countless plays & musicals in New York & around the country and on TV. But most importantly are just two amazing humans.  Bob and Laurie are now blessed with two beautiful baby granddaughters, Olive & Blossom. With partner Max, Emily has had a busy 2 1/2 years!
 
What began as a mom looking for a theatre program for her middle-school daughter became an incredible journey filled with passion & love. Laurie planned to direct RRS only until her children graduated and then go back to acting, but she just couldn’t walk away. For 25 years, countless talented, wonderful young people have grown up before her eyes, filling her life with immeasurable joy. She is grateful for them all and for their parents; many of whom became lifelong friends. 
 

Since the first performance of Grease in 2001, we now have 5 theatre companies: RRS, Jr. RRS, Little RRS, Riverdale Rep and the most recent addition of our OAC Broadway Company (for adults 60+). Laurie also spearheaded the creation of Summer Stage Theatre Arts Camp, Riverdale Y Dance, and, of course, our Annual Broadway Gala where professional actors and musicians bring Broadway to Riverdale Y.

Laurie has called this sweet stage “our little corner of the world” for as long as she can remember. Memories of 25 years of love and laughter exist in the newly painted walls & resonate with her each day. Her gratitude is boundless, and her heart is full. 25 Years have truly flown by.

Save The Date!

Laurie cannot wait to invite Riverdale Rising Stars alumni back to “our little corner of the world” for a special reunion performance this Thanksgiving Weekend. 

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