On Sunday September 21 at 2 p.m., Waltham’s Reagle Players will present a one time only matinee benefit salute to the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Memorable numbers from their hit shows will be presented. Honored guests from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization in NYC will be present for the festivities. The event will honor dancer, choreographer and teacher, Gemze De Lappe.
Ms. de Lappe is a chief acolyte and interpreter of the works of
Agnes de Mille, a prime creative force in key Rodgers and Hammerstein shows. As an
Agnes de Mille protégé, Ms. de Lappe was handpicked by the master choreographer to interpret or restage her work. Throughout the years, Ms. de Lappe has worked in close association with the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization in New York. De Lappe ensures that the intentions, creative detail and style in
Agnes de Mille’s choreography inform all of the restaging of the dance designs created for the original Rodgers and Hammerstein shows.
The collaborations of Rodgers and Hammerstein are among the most popular and acclaimed musical theater productions of the past seventy years. Their name attached to a project could often guarantee hit status. Few seasons passed without a key R&H show dominating the Broadway theater scene of the 40’s and beyond. Currently, a critically acclaimed, major revival of
South Pacific is playing to sellout audiences at New York’s Lincoln Center.
Ms. de Lappe personally performed in several R&H shows. She was featured in the role of “Dancing Laurey” in the original European tour of Oklahoma! and Simon Legree in the King and I ballet on Broadway as well as in the
20th Century Fox film rendition.
At the celebration, Miss de Lappe will be presented with “The Golden Eagle” - an award celebrating her work and contributions to the Reagle Players throughout the years. She has choreographed Oklahoma! and The King and I many times for the group and recently set the dances for Carousel when film actress
Shirley Jones portrayed Cousin Nettie in the Reagle production. Oscar winner Jones, a member of Reagle’s Honorary Board of Directors, appeared in the leading role of Julie Jordan in the filmed version of Carousel as well as the lead, Laurey, in the film version of Oklahoma!
Ms. de Lappe was a recent recipient of an Honorary Tony Award a year ago. The prestigious award recognized her as one of the theater’s master craftsmen for her dedicated work carefully recreating and “archiving” the dances of master choreographer,
Agnes de Mille.
The most popular selections from five Rodgers and Hammerstein shows will be performed as part of this benefit production in a “Greatest Hits” style format. Famed musical numbers will be recreated from: The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Carousel and
South Pacific.
Sarah Pfisterer, Broadway leading lady of Phantom of the Opera and Show Boat, joins Boston media personality Scott Wahle who narrates the festivities. Many professional guest artists from New York and Boston will perform R&H numbers accompanied by the grand sound of a full pit orchestra.
Tickets to this “One Time Only” Rodgers and Hammerstein celebratory event may be obtained by calling 781 891 5600 or visiting online at
www.reagleplayers.com.
