sign in sign up
<<
Home , Donna McKechnie, Into the Woods, Leslie Uggams, Rachel York

Broadway at Your Doorstep

RRREAGLE M USIC T HEATRE OF GREATER BOSTON

Reagle Wins Six IRNEs for Dolly, , La Cage News for Reagle Friends and Fans Reagle took home six IRNE Awards on April rector awards for their June 2010 19 as the Independent Reviewers of New Eng- work on Dolly and La land celebrated the best of the region’s theater Cage . SEASON AT A G LANCE for 2009. Nominated for a whopping 16 awards, Reagle earned honors for each of its The highlight of the summer shows. evening came when it June 17-27 was announced that , returning this season to star as Reagle’s electrifying the Witch in Into the Woods, was named Best production of La Cage July 15-25 Actress in a Musical for her critically acclaimed Aux Folles won top turn as Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! honors as Best Musi- David Engel won the Best Actor in a Musical cal for 2009. It bested Rachel York as August 12-22 award for his flamboyant yet sensitive por- Reagle’s other nomi- Dolly Levi in Remembering the trayal of Albin in La Cage Aux Folles . Local nated production, Hello, Dolly! ’40s favorite R. Glen Michell took home the Best Hello, Dolly! for the Supporting Actor in a Musical award for Mame award. September 24-26 and La Cage Aux Folles . Rachel summarized the mood of the evening In addition, David Scala was named Best Cho- in words read by her publicist: “I have great in Concert reographer for La Cage, and Daniel Rodriguez admiration for Bob's and determina- October 16-17 and Jeffrey P. Leonard earned Best Music Di- tion to keep regional alive and well. ” It’s ChristmasTime December 3-12 A Message from Bob Eagle: SPECIAL O FFER ! New Name Reflects Our True Mission Use the Promo Code YORK when ordering What’s in a name? For 41 years our wonderful regional theater has flown under the ban- tickets to Into the ner Reagle Players. Back in 1969 when a group of Waltham High School and college drama students Woods and receive teamed to establish a summer musical theater, the name came about almost as a joke. Since I was 10% off! the group’s advisor and artistic director, one of my students suggested combining my first initial with my last name, the way I did when signing papers. Just that quickly, the Reagle Players was born. • Offer not valid with Today that name seems a bit too quaint for a professional organization that runs year-round and other discounts. attracts Broadway stars to our productions. We have a unique model that casts local talent right • Limit four tickets per alongside theater legends. We set the bar high and everyone rises to our uncompromising standard. person. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional Broadway caliber experiences while offering unparal- • Enter YORK online leled educational opportunities for aspiring professionals on stage and behind the scenes. or mention when Our new name – Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston – now more accurately reflects our mission ordering by phone and matches the standard of excellence we have maintained all along. We look forward to our 42 nd or at the Box Office. consecutive year. With the talents of Rachel York, Scott Wahle, Sarah Pfisterer, and Marissa Perry leading the way, it promises to be another blockbuster season. Page 2 Broadway at Your Doorstep

Once a Doll, Now a Witch, Broadway’s Rachel York Goes Into the Woods

Broadway powerhouse It’s also true of Rachel’s Anxious and on the verge of Rachel York returns to the character, The Witch. A tears, Rachel was handed a Reagle stage this summer to woman of great beauty who note from the audience. It play a decidedly different was cursed and transformed read, “Think Goldie Hawn.” character from her IRNE into an ugly crone, she can Award-winning Dolly. This be bitingly humorous one That simple scribble by year she gets to wrap her minute and powerfully con- gorgeous voice around the threatening the next. Her firmed for Rachel an idea lush and lyrical score of songs range from a hilarious that she had been toying with Stephen Sondheim’s master- rap number about her garden on her own. Injected with ful Into the Woods. to the lovely and haunting newfound confidence, “Children Will Listen.” Rachel went on to deliver a “In some ways it’s a fairytale, performance that earned her Rachel York and but in other ways it’s really “It’s a beautiful score,” says the first of her three Drama tango in complex,” Rachel says. “On Rachel. “It’s so universal that Desk nominations. She was the surface it’s really colorful two completely different also offered her break- Victor/Victoria and enjoyable – the cos- people with two completely through role as Norma (Credit: Joan Marcus) tumes, music and characters different experiences can Cassidy in Victor/Victoria are fantastic – but if you dig a listen and connect. And as based on the talent Julie little deeper, you find that great as his music is, I’m an Andrews and her husband things are not always what even bigger fan of his lyrics.” director Blake Edwards saw they appear to be.” in . Rachel Rachel is also a big fan of the went on to win the Drama Rachel explains that Sond- man himself. Sondheim be- Desk for Victor/Victoria . heim likes to deal with duali- came her savior when early in Rachel York’s got a ties. “His songs have to do her career she starred in his “Sondheim was incredibly with opposing intentions and musical revue Putting It helpful to me on that show,” voice that I would emotions simultaneously,” Together with Julie Andrews. Rachel attests. “It was the she says. “In that way he’s As tech rehearsals got under- first time I got any positive kill to have.” very true to life. Human way, the then 23-year-old reinforcement in the entire emotions are not only multi- ingénue was still having a process. I’m very grateful to – Julie Andrews layered but oftentimes con- hard time finding her charac- him.” tradictory. They can be funny ter. Her inexperienced direc- and dark at the same time. tor had offered no help other And that’s truly grateful. Not That’s true of this show.” than to say, “No, no, no, no. sorry grateful. No duality You’re ruining the show!” there.

Behind the Scenes: Angela Richardson Is All Business When It Comes to the Art of Making Art

Angela Richardson, 24, of Meriwether, and Rachel York eloquent and beautiful Burlington, considers herself in recent years. “I’d try to thing.” very lucky to have cut her glean little acting tips by theatrical teeth on the watching them from the Angela, who also works full Robinson stage. “Everything wings,” Angela says. “To see time as assistant to the I know about theater I their facial expressions, or producer at Reagle, is very learned from Reagle,” says the way they’d carry their grateful for her experiences. Angela. “The sheer wealth of bodies, change when they “It takes a village to raise a knowledge is astounding.” were getting into character child,” she says. “I can say Angela Richardson very confidently I am better Actor and Assistant was truly inspirational. They Angela has understudied would transform. It’s an off for having this Reagle to the Producer stars Donna McKechnie, Lee village raise me.” News for Reagle Friends and Fans Page 3

Local Music Man Scott Wahle Does Double Duty with Reagle This Summer

Don’t tell Scott Wahle, Into the Woods . “He’s love with musical theater that WBZ-TV news anchor absolutely brilliant. He’d be day. I was overwhelmed by turned stage actor, that he in the Hall of Fame just as a the whole thing – the music, should be taking it easy after lyricist, never mind a the lights, the costumes, the hip replacement surgery. This composer. But if I had to laughter, the applause. It’s intrepid star of Reagle’s pick one show as my also the show that brought , 1776, Will favorite, it would have to be me back to the theater in Rogers and The Music The Music Man . 1993. Man simply refuses to pass up the chance to be in his “The Music Man is the first “I don’t know if I was first Stephen Sondheim show professional show I ever destined to play the role,” he and reprise his 2004 IRNE saw,” Scott remembers muses. “But I’m absolutely Award-winning role as con- fondly. “My Mom and Dad thrilled to be getting a chance Scott Wahle artist Harold Hill. took me to see the national to do it again. It’s an Star of The Music Man company at the Shubert opportunity to take a fresh and “I love Sondheim,” Scott Theatre on my ninth look. more into the Narrator/Mysterious Man enthuses when talking about birthday. I absolutely fell in breach – with a new hip!” in Into the Woods New Creative Team Is Putting It Together at Reagle

When director Stacey supervisor on Broadway and will sound terrific but also Stephens, music director on the national tours of Les deliver all the subtext in the Charles Peltz, and choreogra- Misérables and , lyrics,” says Charles. “They pher Wendy Hall talk about is designing costumes for Into will serve this beautiful en- their love for Stephen Sond- the Woods in addition to di- semble show very well.” heim, you know that Reagle’s recting. He has also con- 42nd season opener is in sulted with set designer Janie Choreographer Hall says that great hands. Brought to- Howland to render a three- the ensemble nature of Into gether because of their ex- dimensional pop-up style the Woods actually liberates perience with Sondheim and storybook through which his her from the traditional song each other, this dynamic trio characters will romp. and dance formula. “Instead promises to make Into the of setting typical 8-count Stacey Stephens Woods an unforgettable event. “Our concept is very differ- dance breaks,” says the for- Associate Producer/ ent from anything I’ve seen mer Broadway dance captain Artistic Director “Into the Woods is really a lot done with the show,” says and BoCo BFA, “I’m marry- like ,” Stacey says en- Stacey. “It’s going to be ing acting and singing with thusiastically. “Both shows unique to Reagle.” character driven movement. I take very well known stories create interesting stage pic- (in this case ’s fairy- The challenge in any Sond- tures based on intention.” tales), give you the facts that heim show is to find actors you know, but then also give who can sing magnificently Stacey, the new associate Cold Rush Offer! you the back stories. On one but also interpret the intrica- producer/artistic director at cies of his elegant score. Mu- Reagle, is delighted to see the level you can just sit back and Bring this coupon to enjoy the fun. But on another sic director Peltz, conductor group stage one of Sond- level you can delve into the of the Glens Falls Symphony heim’s masterpieces. “I just the refreshment table humor and insights of the and director of Wind Ensem- love the show’s wit and play- for a bles at the N.E. Conserva- fulness,” Stacey says. “It human condition and dis- FREE ICE CREAM cover how the stories are tory, isn’t worried. He says takes the darkness of interwoven to become adult the cast they have assembled Grimm’s fairytales and makes at intermission of morality tales.” is “extraordinarily apt.” them funny. It’s brilliantly INTO THE constructed. There’s some- Stacey, a former wardrobe “We have actor/singers who thing in it for everyone.” WOODS! FIRST CLASS MAIL See inside for Special Discount Offers US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 54205 for Newsletter recipients only! WALTHAM, MA

REAGLE M USIC T HEATRE OF G REATER B OSTON

Broadway at your doorstep...at prices Broadway hasn't seen in years!

617 Lexington Street Waltham, MA 02452-3099

Phone: 781-891-5600 Fax: 781-647-5584 Website: www.reagleplayers.com

Reagle Celebrates Sondheim with Into the Woods “Reagle has hit upon a winning combination. This summer Reagle has “All the planets seem to have the screen and became a box They mix Broadway joined Broadway, , aligned to make this possi- office with Johnny and the New York Philhar- ble,” Bob says. “We have the Depp; Sunday in the Park with veterans with local monic in celebrating the 80 th cast. We have the creative George, winner of the Pulitzer performers to get birthday of composer/lyricist team. We have the rights. Prize; and the ever popular electrifying results.” Stephen Sondheim. An And we have a star who is Into the Woods which drew American treasure who has going to be magnificent as hundreds of actors from – Theater Mirror been as influential to musical The Witch. I’ve always throughout the Northeast to theater as his early mentors - wanted to treat our audiences Waltham to audition. Oscar Hammerstein II, Rich- to the beauty that is Sond- ard Rodgers, Leonard Bern- heim. Into the Woods is the Add to this list Sondheim’s stein and - Sond- perfect introduction to his stunning work as lyricist for heim has earned an unprece- marvelous canon.” two of the theater’s most dented eight in enduring classics – West Side his career, more than any Sondheim’s résumé as a com- Story and – and you can other composer in history. poser/lyricist is a remarkable understand why he is consid- achievement: A Funny Thing ered to be the “greatest and For the first time, Reagle is Happened on the Way to the perhaps best known artist in including one of Sondheim’s Forum ; Company ; A Little American musical theater.” landmark musicals in its sea- Night Music, currently enjoy- son. Why now? Producer and ing a thrilling revival starring “Don’t miss this opportu- Rachel York, IRNE artistic director Robert Eagle Catherine Zeta Jones and nity,” Bob exclaims. “ Into the Award winner for Hello, says, “It’s simply the right ; Sweeney Woods kicks off our wonder- Dolly! stars as The Witch time.” Todd, which was adapted for ful season in grand style.” in Into the Woods