Lydia Gaston, Katie Clark, Peter S. Adams and More Star in Reagle Music Theatre's SOUTH PACIFIC, Running Now thru 6/22

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will present South Pacific from today, June 12-22 at the Robinson Theatre (617 Lexington St. Waltham, MA, 02452). South Pacific will open Reagle's 46th Annual Summer Season, followed by Me and My Girl (July 10-20) and Singin' In the Rain (August 7-17).

South Pacific is the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic about navy life set against the backdrop of a lush tropical island during WWII. Considered radical for depicting cross-cultural marriage when it premiered in 1949, Reagle is proud to reprise the beloved musical that follows two love stories threatened by prejudice and war.

David Hugo, director of Reagle's acclaimed Les Miserables last summer, returns to direct South Pacific. The show will also feature a full, live orchestra to bring to life the powerful and lush score. Reagle Music Theatre is the long-running regional theater company known for casting Broadway stars alongside local talent.

Individual tickets range from $35 to $63; season subscriptions and group tickets are available at a discount. Tickets can be purchased at www.reaglemusictheatre.com, by calling 781-891-5600, or at the theater box office.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific follows two cross-cultural love stories between Americans and Pacific Islanders during WWII. This groundbreaking musical explores themes of prejudice and bigotry and won ten Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. South Pacific's portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949 with the tunes "Some Enchanted Evening," "There is Nothing Like A Dame," and "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair".

Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan. Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener. Presented by Special Arrangement with Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals: www.rnh.com. South Pacific was last presented on the Reagle stage in 1989.

ABOUT THE CAST:

Lydia Gaston* (Bloody Mary) Lydia returns to the Reagle stage after playing "Lady Thiang" in Reagle's 2007 production of The King and I. She is a veteran of five Broadway shows: 1996 Broadway revival of The King and I, Miss Saigon, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Shogun and The Red Shoes. Other projects in New York have also included The Public Theater (2008 Shakespeare Lab Co, Dogeaters), lead roles for Ma-yi Theater Group, Nat'l Asian American Theatre Company and Pan Asian Repertory. She has performed at The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Virginia Opera, and Papermill Playhouse. TV credits include a featured role in HBO's The Sopranos, as well as many commercials. Lydia is also a New York City teaching artist, as well as an adjunct professor at SUNY-Old Westbury, New York. She recently earned an M.A. in Applied Theatre (The School of Professional Studies, CUNY Graduate Center) and also holds a B.A. in Theatre and Dance from Empire State College (SUNY). She is a founding member and co-director of education through theatre at Leviathan Lab, New York (a creative studio for theater and film). Lydia trained and was a professional concert dancer with Ballet Philippines. *Denotes member of Actors Equity Association.

Katie Clark (Nellie Forbush) A native of Medford, MA, Katie returns to Reagle Music Theatre this summer after appearing as Cassie in A Chorus Line, Velma u/s in Chicago, and Prudy/Gym Teacher in Hairspray. Other Boston theatre credits include Morgan Le Fey in Camelot (New Repertory Theatre); Gloria in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Stoneham Theatre) and April in Company (Moonbox Productions). Other regional credits include Maggie in 42nd Street (Ocean State Theatre Co.); Jeannie in Trailer Park Musical (Theatre Barn); Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie (New London Barn Playhouse) and the National Tour of The Music Man. Katie earned a BA in Musical Theatre and Dance from Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

Peter S. Adams* (Emile de Becque) Peter makes his Reagle Music Theatre debut in South Pacific. Peter has appeared in numerous regional productions including his 2013 portrayal of the title role in Sweeney Todd for Next Door Center for the Arts, earning him an IRNE nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. He was also in the national tour of Ragtime from 2000-2001. Peter has appeared on stage with Hanover Theater, SL Theater, New Repertory Theatre, and Foothills Theatre. Television and Film credits include Clear History for HBO Films and Dinner and a Movie for CBS. Peter will appear in Assassins at New Repertory Theatre in the Fall. *Denotes member of Actors Equity Association.

Mark Linehan * (Lt. Joseph Cable) Mark returns to the Reagle stage for his fourth production, having previously appeared in Mame, The Music Man and Hairspray. Recent area credits include Camelot (New Repertory Theatre); Hairspray and Pippi Longstocking (Wheelock Family Theatre); and Something's Afoot (Stoneham Theatre). He has also appeared on stage with the Lyric Stage Company, Moonbox Productions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Foothills Theatre, Next Door Center for the Arts, Fiddlehead Theatre, and the Papermill Theater (NH). Mr. Linehan earned his BFA in Musical Theater from Emerson College and is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association. Originally from Natick, MA, he resides in Malden with his wife Amanda and their 9-month-old daughter Georgia. *Denotes member of Actors Equity Association.

Samantha Ma (Liat) Samantha makes her Reagle Music Theatre debut in South Pacific. She is a rising junior musical theatre major at The Boston Conservatory. Her credits include: White Boys Trio (Hair), Gladys Antrobus (Skin of Our Teeth), Mamma (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Marcy Park (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Vivienne Kensington (Legally Blonde).

The cast of South Pacific also includes R. Glen Michell as Cpt. George Bracket, Aaron Dore as Luther Billis, and Rich Allegretto as Commander William Harbison.

ARTISTIC BIOS:

Robert J. Eagle (Producing Artistic Director) Robert J. Eagle founded the Reagle Music Theatre in 1969. Eagle has produced and directed over three hundred productions during his career. He is a pioneer in blending talents of professional and amateur performers, creating a unique performing and learning environment for both, while increasing pleasure for Reagle audiences. Eagle, a Waltham Public School teacher and administrator, received a grant from the Waltham City Council to support a summer theatre. He established a unique relationship between the Waltham Schools and Reagle over forty years ago. Eagle recently received a citation from the American Theatre Wing for his dedication to the promotion of education and the arts, for founding and operating the then "Reagle Players," and for being the catalyst for the 1.2 million dollar addition and improvements to the Fine Arts Center at Waltham High School. Eagle has been recognized for outstanding achievement in the arts and education by his alma maters, Boston College (Boston, MA) and The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC). Eagle is very proud of the educational programs originated by Reagle at Waltham High, as well as the record-breaking number of IRNE (Independent Reviewers of New England) Awards bestowed on Reagle Music Theatre.

David Hugo (Director) is currently a professor at Long Island University (CW Post Campus) where he teaches acting and musical theater performance. Last August, he directed Reagle Music Theatre's acclaimed production of Les Miserables. During his college years at Syracuse University, he discovered a love for directing when he directed Little Shop of Horrors and West Side Story in a small community theater in his hometown of Dryden, New York. After college, he found great success as an actor, performing regionally and on Broadway in a number of shows-his favorites being LES MISERABLES and Jekyll and Hyde. He understudied Terrence Mann as Javert in the final Broadway Company of LES MISERABLES, and he has performed in LES MISERABLES in China, Korea, Singapore, Canada and the USA. He has worked with Sutton Foster, Terrence Mann and Kelli O'Hara, as well as Tony Award winning directors Trevor Nunn, John Caird, and Jerry Mitchell. Eight years ago, David retired from acting to pursue a career teaching acting, and this is when he started to direct again. In the last three years, he has conceived and directed three pieces: Numb, an anti-war piece using the music and lyrics of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht; Shakespeare Cabaret, a cabaret using only music and scenes inspired by Shakespeare; and New York Cabaret - Cabaret Reinvented, a cabaret using iconic NYC songs.

Single adult tickets for each production in Reagle Music Theatre's 46th Summer Season are $35-$63. Seniors 55 or older receive $3 off adult prices. Tickets for youths 5-18 are $25, any section. Patrons may see all three summer shows for under $100 by purchasing a full-season subscription at 25% off; packages start as low as $78. Student rush seats at 50% off are available one hour before curtain with a valid college ID. Group rate tickets are available by calling group sales at 781-891-5600, ext. 1201, or emailing groups@reaglemusictheatre.org.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.reaglemusictheatre.com, call 781-891-5600, or visit the theater box office at 617 Lexington St, Waltham, MA, 02452. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m., with extended hours from 9:00 am to curtain on performance days.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston (RMT) has been bringing Broadway-quality musical theatre to the greater Boston area for 46 seasons. Under the creative direction of Robert J. Eagle the non-profit theater company's professional productions have earned IRNE and Moss Hart Memorial Awards as well as rave reviews from critics. Reagle's productions have attracted Broadway stars and legendary performers including Patti LuPone, Sally Struthers, Vicki Lawrence, Andrea McArdle and Shirley Jones. In addition to a trio of summer musicals, RMT annually produces a Celebrity Concert Series and original musical revues including a Christmas spectacular and Irish musical revue. RMT is also committed to supporting arts education for area youth through theater workshops and by using theatre techniques to support the Waltham Public Schools' curriculum. For the latest information on Reagle Music Theatre's programs and performances see www.reaglemusictheatre.org, and follow RMT on Facebook (ReagleMusicTheatre) and Twitter (@ReagleMusicThtr).

Pictured: Lydia Gaston* (Bloody Mary); Katie Clark (Nellie Forbush); Peter S. Adams* (Emile deBecque); Mark Linehan* (Lt. Joseph Cable); Samantha Ma (Liat). *Denotes member of Actors Equity Association.

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