Usually Side by Side is considered a revue with no plot, but director Patrick Brien fleshes out a story line in this production. At the beginning of Act One, the stage is dark, empty, and foreboding. When musical director Allen Everman II walks on stage with a flashlight and looks forlornly at the solitude and the shadows, he is drawn into remembrances. As Everman sings "I Remember", we are drawn into his past, in particular his relationships, the resolutions and occasionally the lack thereof. When he sits down at the magnificent piano placed center stage, Everman's skill as a pianist shines. Then, when the cast comes out, they appear almost as figments of Everman's musical imagination and enact the songs he performs.

The cast is outstanding. They bring professional work to the community level. Each one carries their weight in gold. The cast includes Amy Gillete, Tess Jose, Chanlon Jay Kaufman, Jennifer A. Pryor, and LeRoy Wood III. The harmony and exuberance of the cast was uplifting. Whenever Jennifer Pryor walked on stage, there would be whispers of how good she is. Pryor excelled in each song whether she was portraying a terrified bride-to-be, a Parisian Beatnik, a vamp, or a broken-hearted soul. Pryor's rendition of Send in the Clowns was an emotional showstopper.

If Chanlon Jay Kaufman has not been the lead in several productions, he soon will be. Kaufman's charisma is catching and his vocals are strong. When he sang Too Many Mornings, his voice echoed through the cozy theater-in-the round. Furthermore, Kaufman kept his vocal strength in Beautiful Girls and Marry Me a Little.

LeRoy Wood excelled in Anyone can Whistle; Tess Jose in The Boy From, and Amy Gillete in Broadway Baby. The vocal talent of this cast is record worthy.

The props by Kathryn Gage were functionally artistic, and they boded well for the choreography by Anna Marie Cadalan, Steve Donahue and Rebecca Susanne Gleason. The cubes, trunk, and stools were stands for dancing upon and belting out show tunes. The two follow lights run by Rick and Donna Sisk highlighted each thought out move. The overhead lights and the play gels by Karri Bates moved melodically with the music.

Side by Side is a production well worth seeing. Any age can enjoy this show. It is running weekends from July 9 through July 25, 2004, at the Riverside Community Theater located at 4016 Fourteenth Street, Riverside, California. Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 8:00. Matinees on July 11, 18, 24, and 25 are at 2:00 pm. Tickets cost $18.00. The box office is open an hour prior to show time for walk-up tickets. Otherwise tickets may be purchased over the phone at (909) 686-4030 and are held at will call.

Other California Productions in the Inland Empire include:

CAT (Christian Arts & Theatre) Corona Theatre Festival: These three shows, The Music Man, Barefoot in the Park, and The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged will be presented each weekend from July 23 to August 8, 2004, at the Corona Civic Center Theater, 815 6th Street, Corona, 92879. For information, call (909) 279-2298.

Fontana Mummers: The Odd Couple. Performances runs on the weekends, July 23-August 8 at the Fontana Mummers Theatre located at 8463 Sierra, Fontana, 92334. Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 8:00 pm. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. Tickets vary in price. Reservations will be taken after July 11 at (909) 822-4052.

Off Broadway Play Series: Proof. This production runs from July 16-July 25. Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 8:00 pm. Matinees are on Saturday July 17 and July 24 and Sunday July 25. Matinees are at 2:00 pm. Off Broadway Productions are in McDermitt Hall located at 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, 92506. Tickets vary in price. For reservations and/or information, call (909) 222-8100.

Rialto Community Playhouse: A Tale of Two Cities. Performances are July 16-July 25; Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Sundays 2:00 pm. The Rialtoy Community Playhouse is located at 150 East San Bernardino Avenue, Rialto, 92377. For information, call (909) 873-8514. All tickets are $10.00.

Seventh Street Theatre: The Laramie Project. This production has strong language and is recommended for those over thirteen. It is presented by the Chino Community Theatre located at 13123 Seventh Street, Chino, 91710. Performances run three weekends, Friday and Saturdays nights July 23 - 14 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees July 25, August 1 and 8 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (909) 590-1149.