After a two-year hiatus, the Reagle Music Theater of Greater Boston returns for its 53rd summer season to the main stage at the Robinson Theater (617 Lexington St. Waltham, MA, 02452). Under new artistic director Rachel Bertone, the curtain will rise on two iconic American musicals: West Side Story, the poignant story of young lovers caught between prejudice and warring street gangs (July 8-16, 2022) and Pippin, Stephen Schwartz’s musical unforgettable musical masterpiece of a young prince in search of passion, adventure and the true meaning of life. (August 5-13, 2022).
Both productions will be directed and choreographed by artistic director Rachel Bertone (Cabaret, In the Heights, Carousel), under the musical direction of Dan Rodriguez (The Last Five Years, Little Shop of Horrors, Mame). Linda Chin will continue to serve as executive producer until the end of the 2022 summer season.
Tickets can be purchased at www.reaglemusictheatre.org, by calling 781-891-5600 or at the theater box office. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
“I’m honored to direct Reagle’s first summer season since Bob Eagle and the Board of Directors placed their trust in me as Artistic Director,” Bertone said. “Audiences expect the highest quality Broadway-caliber productions from Reagle and we are committed to honoring that legacy. We are also thrilled to expand the vision to present emotionally engaging theatrical experiences that use theater as a tool for social change, while engaging a diversity of new audiences and collaborators.We welcome our theater community back this summer to join us in exploring universal ideas of adolescence, identity, prejudice, grief and love.
Reagle 2022 Summer Season:
West Side Story – July 8-16, 2022
Directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone
Musical direction by Dan Rodriguez
Featured Cast (*Denotes Actors Equity Association member): Michael Graceffa *as Riff; Eevie Perez as Maria; Blake DuBois as Tony; Zoë Maloney as Anita; Diego Klock-Pérez * as Bernardo
West Side Story explores the forbidden love and rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and set in 1950s New York City, their struggle to survive in a world of hatred, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heartbreaking and relevant musical dramas of Broadway history. With “Tonight”, “Something’s Coming”, “I Feel Pretty”, “Maria” and other timeless songs. Based on a design by Jerome Robbins; Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Leonard Bernstein; Words by Stephen Sondheim. All original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI)
Performance schedule: Fri. July 8, 7:30 p.m.; Sat July 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, July 10, 2:00 p.m.; Wed July 13, 2 p.m.; Thursday, July 14, 7:30 p.m.; Fri July 15, 2 p.m.; Saturday July 16, 7:30 p.m.
Glitch – August 5-13, 2022
Directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone
Musical direction by Dan Rodriguez
Featured Actors (*denotes a member of the Actors Equity Association): Davron Monroe* as lead player; Kenny Lee as Pepin; Punyanuch (spirit) Pornsakulpaisal as Catherine; Damon Singletary* as Charlemagne; Kathy St. George* as Berthe; Katie Anne Clark as Fastrada
A mysterious performance troupe – led by the main player – tells the story of Pippin, a young prince in search of passion, adventure and meaning. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power. Ultimately, however, Pippin discovers that happiness lies not in extraordinary efforts, but rather in the non-extraordinary moments that happen every day. The score (by Stephen Schwartz of Wicked and Godspell) includes “Magic to Do”, “Corner of the Sky”, “Simple Joys”, and “No Time at All”. Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Roger O. Hirson. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).
Performance schedule: Fri. Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m.; Sat. August 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, Aug 7, 2:00 PM; Wed Aug 10, 2:00 PM; Thursday August 11, 7:30 p.m.; Fri, Aug 12, 2:00 p.m.; Sat. August 13, 7:30 PM
Production Biographies:
Rachel Bertone, artistic director; Director & Choreographer
Bertone brings nearly 20 years of experience as a theater and dance professional to her role. Over the past decade, she has directed more than 50 musicals, including Cabaret (IRNE Award: Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Musical), Carousel (IRNE: Best Choreography), In the Heights (IRNE: Best musical, Elliot Norton: Best Ensemble), The Wild Party (IRNE: Best Musical), Gypsy, Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Billy Elliot, Barnum, Show Boat, HAIR, Les Misérables, Joseph.. .Dreamcoat, among others. She has also directed and/or choreographed a number of prominent Broadway performers including Lisa Yuen, Michel Bell, Ciarán Sheehan, Brent Barrett, Rick Hilsabeck, Sarah Pfisterer and De’lon Grant. A teacher of theater and dance based in both Greater Boston and New York, Bertone has taught at renowned institutions including the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the American Repertory Theater Institute at Harvard University, Emerson College and Long Island University. www.rachelbertone.com
Linda Chin, Executive Producer
Chin was named interim executive art director in June 2021, following the retirement of company founder Robert J. Eagle, and will continue through the end of the 2022 summer season in the role of executive producer. of West Side Story and Pippin on the Robinson Main Stage and the Greater Boston HS Musical Theater Festival at Boston’s Herter Park Amphitheater. Other productions include Trumpet of the Swan, Mary Poppins*, A Year with Frog and Toad, Akeelah & the Bee, Billy Elliot*, Charlotte’s Web, In the Heights*, Beauty & the Beast, Stuart Little, Into the Woods (Wheelock ); Seussical, A Year with Frog and Toad (Boston Children’s Museum); The east side (Harvard); Illegal (Yale); East of Hollywood (Tow-Arboleda Productions); Mid-Autumn Play Festival/The Melting Pot (Pao Arts Center); Turkish, Turkish, Turkish; Reversibility; When A Body Meets a Body (Boston Theater Marathon), and in 2021, Musical Theater Returns: Lights Up at Herter Park, ChristmasTime in Concert for RMT. *designates Elliot Norton, winning production of the IRNE prize.
Dan Rodriguez, Music Director
Dan has been Reagle’s resident musical director for 11 years, with recent favorites including La Cage Aux Folles, Mame and The Most Happy Fella. Dan’s other credits in the field include work with the Lyric Stage Company (The Last Five Years, Little Shop of Horrors), Front Porch Arts Collective (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Huntington Theater Company (Sunday in the Park with George, A Little Night Music), Wheelock Family Theater (Make Way for Ducklings, In the Heights), American Repertory Theater (The Lily’s Revenge, The Blue Flower), New Repertory Theater (Hair), Moonbox Productions (Caroline or Change, Cabaret) and many other theaters as well as work at the Boston Conservatory, Emerson, Brandeis and other schools. His work has earned him five IRNE awards for best musical direction.
Reagle 53rd Summer Season Tickets:
Single adult tickets cost between $38 and $68; discounts apply to seniors and youth. To purchase, visit www.reaglemusictheatre.org, call 781-891-5600, or visit the theater box office at 617 Lexington St, Waltham, MA, 02452. Hours of operation are Wednesdays 2-5 p.m.; Friday 11am-2pm; Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Groups over 20 should contact the box office or email groups@reaglemusictheatre.org.
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