SOUTH PACIFIC, ME AND MY GIRL and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Set for Reagle Music Theatre's 46th Summer Season

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston announces a trio of Tony Award-winning musicals for its 46th consecutive summer season at the Robinson Theatre (617 Lexington St. Waltham, MA, 02452). South Pacific, the Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece about love and stereotypes set against the backdrop of a lush tropical island during WWII, opens the season June 12-22. Me and My Girl, the joyously funny story of an unrefined cockney gent who must choose between love or money, runs July 10-20. The season closes with a drenching revival of Reagle's IRNE-award winning production of Singin' in the Rain from August 7-17. 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.

"For our 46th Annual Summer Season we are bringing the classic musicals of the '30's, '40's and '50's to life for a new generation," says Robert Eagle, founder and producing artistic director of the long-running regional theater company known for casting Broadway stars alongside local talent. "In addition to exquisite music accompanied by a full orchestra, these family musicals all have at their core common themes of love and acceptance - acceptance of ourselves, and acceptance of others. South Pacific's strong message about stereotypes and racism are particularly heart-felt and relevant to today's audiences. Bill Snibson's journey in Me and My Girl from cockney to nobility shines a humorous light on the nature of class distinctions that fans of Downtown Abbey will instantly recognize. Singin' In the Rain's lighthearted love story of young Hollywood actors who must sink or swim in the face of new sound technology will be a fun eye-opener for younger audiences who adapt to new technologies effortlessly and have access to movies and music in the palm of their hands. The show-stopping marquee scene features a drenching rain on stage! We know that audiences of all ages will find something to love on our stage this summer."

About the 46th Annual Summer Season:

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific [June 12-22] is a masterful love story between an Army nurse and a mysterious French planter set in an island paradise during World War II. 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". This groundbreaking musical explores themes of prejudice and bigotry and won ten Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. 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.

Broadway actress Lydia Gaston* will star in South Pacific in the role of "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.

Additional featured actors included Katie Clark as Nellie Forbush, Peter Adams* as Emile de Becque, Mark Linehan* as Lt. Joseph Cable, Aaron Dore as Luther Billis, Rich Allegretto as Commander William Harbison and Samantha Ma as Liat. *Denotes member of Actors Equity Association.

Me and My Girl [July 10-20] tells the rollicking story of an unrefined cockney gentleman named Bill Snibson who learns that he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford and must pass a test to inherit his new fortune. When he learns that he must also give up his streetwise girlfriend in order to be accepted by the gentry, Bill faces a timeless choice between love and money. Masterpiece Theatre fans will rock with laughter as Bill brings a cockney invasion to the great Hareford Hall, a Downton Abbey-like estate peopled with the upper-crust of English society. Me and My Girl had a successful original run in England in 1937 and became a huge Broadway hit in revival in 1986, nominated for 11 Tony Awards. The musical comedy features the classic hits "Doin' The Lambeth Walk," "Leaning on a Lamp-Post" and "Love Makes the World Go 'Round." Book and Lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber. Music by Noel Gay. Book Revised by Stephen Fry, with contributions by Mike Ockrent. Me and My Girl is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Singin' In the Rain [August 7-17] brings back the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age. Adapted from the 1952 film of the same name, Singin' tells the story of two silent movie actors facing extinction when "talkies" come on the scene. Which of them will survive in the age of sound? Love, deception, and a silent actress' "not-ready-for-prime-time" speaking voice brings big laughs, big song and dance numbers, and a big, splashy Hollywood ending that really rains on stage! This audience favorite returns to Reagle by popular demand, featuring all the classic songs from the 1952 film, including "Good Morning," "Make 'Em Laugh," Fit As A Fiddle" and "Singin' in the Rain." The last time Reagle staged this classic, in 2002, the show won the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) awards for best musical, best choreographer, and best director. Screenplay and Adaptation by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed; Based on the MGM film by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Presented by Special Arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Single adult tickets for each production 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 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.

About Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, Inc.: 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 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).

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