

About Us
Our Story
Three decades ago, Marietta Phinney, a music teacher in Hyde Park’s Readville neighborhood, realized that local children weren’t getting enough exposure to the arts. So in her backyard she created Riverside Theatre Works, named for the running brook beside her house.
Riverside grew quickly, but those early years were hard. One night, Ms. Phinney sat in her kitchen with a cup of tea, wondering how to go on. Then she read the tagline on her Salada tea bag: “Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible.”
Those encouraging words became Ms. Phinney’s slogan, shared with each new generation of Riverside students. Today, Riverside Theatre Works is a mainstay of Hyde Park and the surrounding area, offering quality productions, musical theater training, and community outreach. Riverside alumni have appeared on Broadway, in national tours, and on stages around Boston. Many return to Riverside, their “second home,” to sing, dance, teach, and inspire the next crop of young performers.
Our Venue
A rare community theater with a proscenium stage - and the only live theater venue in Hyde Park - Riverside is located in the historic French’s Opera House in Logan Square. Our 14,000 square foot facility features a 156-seat opera house, a spacious dance studio and rehearsal space, a scene shop, a lounge, and several meeting and rehearsal rooms.
We host several main stage theatrical performances every year, from all-youth productions to family-friendly shows to challenging plays and musicals aimed at adults. We also host recitals, meetings, fundraisers, and community gatherings, making us a key attraction and connector for the entire neighborhood.
Our Mission
To have all aspects of Riverside Theatre Works reflect the cultural, social, and economic diversity of our community
To offer a broad range of programs that help children become more confident and develop better life skills
To make theatre programs affordable and accessible through financial assistance
To proactively partner with community youth organizations
To establish and sustain contacts with community agencies that serve economically disadvantaged children and families in neighborhood
Contact Us:
Riverside Theatre Works
45 Fairmount Ave.
Hyde Park, MA 02136
Phone: (617)-361-7024
Fax: (617) 361-3176
Email: info@rtwboston.org
Staff
Click here for staff list, photos & bios
Board of Directors
Founding Director: Marietta Phinney
President:Silvia Gonzalez- Powers
Vice President:Joanna Weiss
Treasurer: Jeff Mitchell
Secretary: Lucille DiGravio
Trustees:
Scott J. Batey
Gerry Brien
Ted Breslin, Consultant
Kristen Dembowski, Consultant
Tricia DiMartinis
Caitlin Dutkciewicz
Gail Forrest, Consultant
Robert Gallagher
Tracey Howard
Sylvia Malloy
Mary Lou Maloney, Grants & Corporate Sponsors Chair
Katie Manning, Funding & Special Events Chair
Tim McCarthy
Meghan O'Donnell
Heather Shaw
Lynda Lee Sheridan
Leroy Streat, Community Outreach Chair
Jeannie Uhrmann
