Transcript
Page 1: Reagle Music Theatre: A Brief History (2014)
Page 2: Reagle Music Theatre: A Brief History (2014)

REAGLE MUSIC THEATREof GREATER BOSTON

Reagle Music TheaTRe617 Lexington Street Waltham, MA 02452

www.ReagleMusicTheatre.comphone: 781-891-5600

fax: 781-647-5584

NATIONAL ALLIANCEfor MUSICAL THEATRE

Waltham West Suburban

Chamber ofCommerce

m e m b e r s

Yolanda M. CellucciRaymond Ciccolo

Thomas DuselJoanne Emanuelson

Keith GilbertClarke Keenan*

Diane P. LeBlanc

Robert MarcouLouis Nocera*

John C. PeacockJennifer Vitone

* Auxiliary Members

h o n o r a r y m e m b e r s

Daniel AdamianEmanuel Azenberg

Gemze de Lappe

Dan GogginMary Rodgers Guettel

Shirley JonesLee Meriwether

Sarah PfistererDebbie Reynolds

Scott Wahle

p r e s i d e n t Susan Carity Conkeyt r e a s u r e r Nicholas Iacuzio

c l e r k Connie Bracelanda s s i s t a n t c l e r k David Casavant

Board of Directors

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Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit

theatre company that attracts nearly thirty thousand patrons annually.

Since 1969, Reagle has strived for excellent production values in sets, costumes,

lighting and orchestra. However, our ticket prices are more than half that of a

Broadway theatre ticket.

Since the inception of the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE)

Awards in 1997, Reagle Music Theatre has won over three dozen awards, including

five Best Musical prizes in the Large Theatre category. That category also includes

the American Repertory Theater, the Huntington Theatre Company, North Shore

Music Theatre, and the Ogunquit Playhouse.

Each year, Reagle’s Summer Musical Theatre Camp enrolls dozens of children

from the ages of 8 to 16. Need-based scholarships are offered to numerous

campers, allowing everyone to experience the magic of Reagle’s camp. The camp

includes workshops taught by stage and screen professionals.

For Reagle’s innovative Actors in the Classroom program, a team of

professional actors and a coordinator visits selected Waltham High School English

classes for two to three weeks, performing, teaching, coaching and mentoring

students as they attempt to encounter and interpret dramatic text. Similar

programs are offered at the Elementary level.

As part of its partnership with the Waltham Public School system, Reagle

Music Theatre has contributed more than $500,000 in capital improvements and

educational programming to the Waltham Public Schools.

Reagle at a Glance

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2012Best Choreography – Larry Sousa (Bye Bye Birdie)

2010Best Actress – Rachel York (Into the Woods)Best Direction – Stacey Stephens (Into the Woods)Best Choreography – Todd Michel Smith and Judine Somerville (Hairspray)Best Costume Design – Stacey Stephens (Into the Woods)

2009Best Musical – La Cage aux FollesBest Actor – David Engel (La Cage aux Folles)Best Actress – Rachel York (Hello, Dolly!)Best Supporting Actor – R. Glen Michell (Mame and La Cage aux Folles)Best Music Direction – Dan Rodriguez and Jeffrey P. Leonard (Hello, Dolly! and La Cage aux Folles)Best Choreography – David Scala (La Cage aux Folles)

2008Best Actor – Eric Kunze (Joseph...Dreamcoat)

2006Best Solo Performance – Patti LuPone: The Lady with the TorchBest Supporting Actress – Maryann Zschau (Thoroughly Modern Millie)Best Direction – Frank Roberts and Troy Magino (Thoroughly Modern Millie)Best Choreography – Eileen Grace (The Will Rogers Follies)

2005Best Actor – Kirby Ward (Crazy for You)Best Actress – Sarah Pfisterer (Carousel and The Sound of Music)Best Supporting Actor – Scott Mikita (Crazy for You)Best Supporting Actress – Cheryl McMahon (Crazy for You and Carousel)Best Ensemble – Crazy for You Best Direction – Kirby Ward (Crazy for You)Best Music Direction – Jennifer Honen Galea (Crazy for You)Best Choreography – Eileen Grace (Crazy for You)

Independent Reviewers of New England Awards

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2003Honorable Mention – Singin’ in the Rain

1974Honorable Mention – A Man for All Seasons

1973Moss Hart Memorial Award – 1776

2004Best Musical – The Music Man Best Actor – Scott Wahle (The Music Man)Best Featured Actress – Cheryl McMahon (The Music Man and Grease)Best Music Direction – Jeffrey P. Leonard and Karen Gahagan (The Music Man)35 Years of Excellence Award – Robert J. Eagle

2002Best Musical – Singin’ in the Rain Best Direction – Kirby Ward (Singin’ in the Rain)Best Choreography – Peggy Hickey (Singin’ in the Rain)

2001Best Supporting Actor – John O’Creagh (1776)

2000Best Musical – My One and OnlyBest Actor – Kirby Ward (My One and Only)Best Direction – Eileen Grace and Robert J. Eagle (My One and Only)Best Choreography – Eileen Grace (My One and Only)

1998Best Musical – Crazy for You

1997You Should Have Been There Award – The Will Rogers FolliesBest Actor – Scott Wakefield (The Will Rogers Follies)

Independent Reviewers of New England Awards

Moss Hart Memorial Awards

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Bruce AdlerAnn-Margret

Lucie ArnazBrent Barrett

Stephen BogardusMaureen Brennan*

Ayla BrownPatrick Cassidy

Susan CellaNat Chandler*John Davidson

Gemze De Lappe*Crandall Diehl

George DvorskyDavid Engel

Bob Fitch*Merwin Foard

Bob Freschi*Laurie Gamache*

Mitzi GaynorSteve Geary

Sara GettelfingerAnita GilletteRobert Goulet

Nancy HessJohn Hillner*

Rick Hilsabeck*Mary-Jane Houdina*

David HugoFred Inkley*

Shirley Jones*Donna Kane

Eric KunzeLorenzo LamasVicki Lawrence

Stephen Mark LukasPatti LuPone

John MacInnis*Andrea McArdleGerry McIntyreDonna McKechnieLee MeriwetherDana MoorePatti Page*Marissa PerryRick PessagnoSarah Pfisterer*Debbie ReynoldsEden RiegelJana RobbinsRandy Rogel*Jamie Ross*Holly-Anne RuggieroIvan RutherfordDavid ScalaRichard E. Schreiber*Angie SchworerTodd Michel SmithJudine SomervilleLarry Sousa*Sally Struthers*Lara TeeterTommy Tune*Leslie UggamsScott Wahle*Beverly Ward*Kirby Ward*Edward Watts*Victor J. Wisehart*Edward J. Wilson*Leslie Woodies*Harry Woolever*JoAnne Worley*Rachel York*

* Denotes individual who has worked with Reagle on more than one occasion

Notable Theatre Professionals

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AN EXCELLENT USE OF AN EMPTY SCHOOL THEATRE

In the summer of 1969, a group of Waltham High School students decided to put on a musical. Following a successful Spring 1969 production of The Music Man, the youthful theatre enthusiasts (under the leadership of RobeRt J. eagle) began

their plans for a summer theatre. Not only would this give the students something to do over the long summer months, but Superintendent James Fitzgerald thought it was an “excellent use of an empty school theatre.”

With help from Mayor Richard F. Dacey, the Waltham City Council appropriated funds for a youth theatre program. Subsequently, that first production — Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel — opened to critical acclaim, and The Reagle Players (re-named The Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston in 2010) were established.

When the second season rolled around without a city appropriation, the determined Players began an endless cycle of fundraising activities to support another season, presenting three productions in the brand new Robinson Theatre at Waltham High School.

A GROWING ORGANIZATION

In 1975, after several years of effort and community fundraising, air conditioning was installed in the Robinson Theatre. Numerous other improvements to the Robinson Theatre have been undertaken by the Reagle Music Theatre as finances permitted.

The theater’s audience and talent pool began to grow in the mid to late seventies. As the imaginary Waltham

A Brief History of Reagle

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boundaries disappeared, talented performers from other communities began to join, including many adults.

ANNUAL MUSICAL REVUES

Like most performing arts groups, the financial condition of the Reagle Music Theatre has always been precarious. Many seasons end in debt, but eventually, generous donations and benefits help the organization return to solvency.

As a way to lessen accumulated debts, the Reagle Music Theatre began a dinner theatre at the Chateau Family

Restaurant in 1978. For four years, Remembering the 40’s — a nostalgic tribute to the 1940s — entertained audiences as they dined at the Chateau. Remembering the 40’s is still presented today, though now on a much larger scale in the Robinson Theatre.

Another annual favorite, ChristmasTime, has been thrilling audiences since 1982. A Little Bit of Ireland is performed to great acclaim each March, and Say It With Music: A Salute to Irving Berlin is also frequently produced.

BROADWAY AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Since its inception, producing artistic director Robert J. Eagle has sought the highest standards of professional production. In addition to world-class performers and directors, every component — including choreography, sets, costumes, and orchestra — is of the highest quality.

Additionally, Reagle Music Theatre owns the Broadway or touring sets for Singin’ in the Rain, Crazy for You, and 42nd Street and the original Broadway costumes for Hello, Dolly!, Crazy for You, and A Chorus Line. Original Broadway choreography is used for most shows, and full orchestras

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using professional musicians are always employed for Reagle productions. Additionally, Reagle has enjoyed collaborations with Jerry Herman, Ted Chapin, Baayork Lee, Mary Rodgers Guettel, Agnes de Mille, Gemze de Lappe, and many other theatrical luminaries.

AN AWARD-WINNING PROFESSIONAL THEATER

In 1984, Reagle Music Theatre hired its first professional performer through Actors’ Equity Association, Bob Fitch, to reprise his original Broadway performance of Rooster Hannigan in Annie. Since then, dozens of Broadway performers and members of Actors’ Equity have been employed by Reagle. Additionally, many aspiring professional performers have received their Equity cards by performing in Reagle productions and have gone on to have successful careers on Broadway and in regional theatres.

In 1991, Reagle Music Theatre was accepted into the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and it has since been recognized as a professional theatre company.

In 2009, the company decided that a new name was necessary. “Reagle Players” just seemed too quaint for an award-winning professional theater company that employs major Broadway talent. So, a new name was devised. The Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston more accurately reflects the mission of the company and matches the standard of excellence that Reagle strives to maintain.

The company’s employment opportunities span from a year-round staff of about a dozen to hundreds of musicians, designers, technicians, stagehands, and members of various theatrical unions.

The image of Waltham as a city has been raised remarkably in the eyes of the thousands who now patronize Waltham businesses, restaurants, and hotels because of Reagle Music Theatre.

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CONCERT SERIES

In 2002, Reagle began a successful concert series and, as a result, performers like Patti LuPone, Robert Goulet, Debbie Reynolds, Patti Page, Shirley Jones, Ann-Margret, Mitzi Gaynor, Vicki Lawrence, Tommy Tune, Brent Barrett, Rachel York, Lucie Arnaz, and Leslie Uggams have graced the Reagle stage.

EDUCATION FIRST

For decades, Bob Eagle observed English classes in which dramatic literature was treated as words on a page. The students knew very little about what they were reading because most English teachers are not trained in theatre. Hence, Actors in the Classroom: a program in which professional actors coach and mentor the students through Shakespeare, Miller, Wilson, Ibsen and other dramatic literature. The program has been extremely successful, and praise has come from Waltham administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the actors themselves. Similar programs have also been offered at the Elementary and Middle School levels.

With Reagle’s theatre camps, students have the opportunity to work with Broadway professionals, who conduct master classes several times throughout each program. The camps are held in the winter, spring and summer school vacations. The winter and spring programs are four days long, but the summer program is a four-week camp, concluding with a showcase.

From the outset, Reagle has always maintained strong education values. The company has also made major improvements to the Robinson Theatre at Waltham High School, including an extension to the stage, the addition of counterweight systems, new lighting equipment, and new backstage facilities.

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DonationsMake a donation in honor or celebration of an important milestone, or in

memory of a loved one! We need your help to keep Reagle Music Theatre’s shows going at a professional standard! If you can, please assist us by making a

tax-deductable donation to our award-winning, not-for-profit regional theatre.

IT’S EASY TO DONATE

Visit our Website’s Support Pagewww.ReagleMusicTheatre.com

Mail a Check or Visit the Box Office617 Lexington StreetWaltham, MA 02452

Call the Box Office781-891-5600

Text “REAGLE” to 41444 to donatewith a credit card or debit card

DONATION LEVELSangel $20,000 +

producer $15,000 +

director $10,000 +

star $5,000 +

stage manager $2,500 +

featured performer $1,000 +

supporting player $500 +

ensemble member $100 +

stage hand $10 +

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