Rick Briskin News

Skates A New Musical will continue to play at the beautifully renovated Studebaker Theater through Sunday, June 26, 2022.

American Idol alumni and real-life married couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young take the stage in SKATES: A New Musical. While Christine Rea and Rick Briskin’s musical bills itself on the whole as an exercise in nostalgia, the most nostalgic part of SKATES for me was seeing DeGarmo and Young perform; I rooted hard core for DeGarmo back in her AMERICAN IDOL days. Here, she shows why— she has a tremendous powerhouse voice and an appealing stage presence that make her a consummate performer. Director Brenda Didier and choreographer Christopher Chase Carter work with a cast of Chicago musical theater veterans who perform alongside DeGarmo and Young.

American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the incredible cast of the new musical, Skates, featuring Adia Bell, Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Zach Sorrow, and Trey Deluna. Check out all new photos and video

Rehearsals are underway for the world premiere musical Skates! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the incredible cast of the new musical featuring Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Michelle Lauto, Zach Sorrow, Trey Deluna and Adia Bell. 

America’s next big musical sensation has its cast! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young will lead the incredible cast of the new musical, Skates.

American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young return to lead a stellar cast in this completely original, family-friendly musical, co-created by Christine Rea (book/lyrics) and Rick Briskin (music/lyrics), with direction by Brenda Didier, choreography by Christopher Chase Carter and music direction by Daniel A. Weiss. 

HIT HER WITH THE SKATES, a new musical about life, love and the roller rink starring American Idol power couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, in accordance with the Chicago Theater League advisement for the health and safety of everyone, is suspending performances effective immediately. The world premiere of the Chicago production at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted St., Chicago, IL, will now be held on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Preview performances will resume on Tuesday, April 21. Previously purchased tickets may be refunded or exchanged.

HIT HER WITH THE SKATES, a new musical about life, love and the roller rink starring American Idol power couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, has announced full casting for the world premiere of the Chicago production at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted St., Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Preview performances are slated to begin March 10.

HIT HER WITH THE SKATES is now available for streaming on all platforms including  iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, AmazonMusic, Pandora, YouTube Music and for FREE download on CD Baby.  

The New York bound musical HIT HER WITH THE SKATES is now available for streaming on all platforms including  iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, AmazonMusic, Pandora, YouTube Music and for FREE download on CD Baby.  

After a sold-out run at Hamilton Stage in New Jersey last season, Hit Her With The Skates will get its official Off-Broadway debut this fall. The cast gave a preview of the show yesterday and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out the photos below!

After a sold-out run at Hamilton Stage in New Jersey last season, HIT HER WITH THE SKATES will get its official Off-Broadway debut this fall. The cast met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out the photos below!

American Idols and real-life couple, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young we be part of a special industry presentation of the upcoming musical, HIT HER WITH THE SKATES, by Christine Rea & Rick Briskin, directed by Michael Schiralli, on Tuesday, October 16 at 4:30pm at Bowlmore Times Square / POP Room.

American Idols and real-life couple, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young have signed on to star in the upcoming musical, HIT HER WITH THE SKATES, by Christine Rea & Rick Briskin,

The new musical, Hit Her with the Skates, is thrilling audiences from the first minute to the last. It is everything a musical should be with a fascinating story, inventive staging, an excellent score, and a top-notch cast. This show is having its pre-New York developmental production at Hamilton Stage (UCPAC, Rahway) through Sunday May 26th.

The new musical, Hit Her with the Skates, by Christine Rea & Rick Briskin, directed by Michael Schiralli with musical direction by Brandon Ethridge and choreography by Gina Ventura, will get a pre-New York developmental production at Hamilton Stage (UCPAC, Rahway, NJ) from May 12 - 27, 2017.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.hhwts.com.

The new musical, Hit Her with the Skates, by Christine Rea & Rick Briskin, directed by Michael Schiralli with musical direction by Brandon Ethridge and choreography by Gina Ventura, opened last weekend at Hamilton Stage (UCPAC, Rahway, NJ) from May 12 - 27, 2017. BroadwayWorld's Leigh Scheps talks with star, Amy Toporek, about her involvement with the show since inception plus what it's like performing on stage with Broadway's John Treacy Egan.

Are you looking to round out that special day with mom and the people who mean the most to you? Visit a top theater venue in New Jersey and pair it with drinks or a meal. Here are a few suggestions that promise to make Mother's Day weekend memorable.

Are you looking to round out that special day with mom or the people who mean the most to you? Visit a top arts venue in New York City or New Jersey and pair it with drinks or a meal. Here are a few suggestions that promise to make Mother's Day weekend memorable.

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Christine Rea, the writer of the new musical, 'Hit Her With The Skates.' The show will be performed at UCPAC's Hamilton Stage from May 12th to May 27th.