Waltham's Reagle Players Presents Their 41st Salute To Jerry Herman 6/18-6/27

For its 41st consecutive summer season, Waltham's Reagle Players presents a Salute to Jerry Herman ! Three of Herman's master musicals constitute the entire season.

Hello, Dolly! starring Broadway's Rachel York (City of Angels, Victor Victoria, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) kicks off the celebration June 18 and plays through June 27. York's youthful persona promises to bring a fresh view to the witty and iconic entrepreneur Dolly, the ever wily and vibrant widow who rejoins the human race. This regional production will see the interpolation of Herman's special ballad, added for Ethel Merman's reign as the 7th Broadway Dolly, entitled Love, Look In My Window. Directed by Reagle producer and artistic director, Robert J. Eagle and choreographed by Susan Chebookjian, the cast also boasts theater veteran Jamie Ross (42nd Street, Gypsy, Woman of the Year, La Cage aux Folles) as Horace Vandergelder - a veteran of the role, Sarah Pfisterer (Show Boat, Phantom of the Opera) as Irene Molloy and Rick Hilsabeck (Chitty Bang) as Cornelius Hackl with Sean McLaughlin as Barnaby Tucker and Danielle Naugler as Minnie Fay. Other principals include Sarah Landry as Ermengarde, Patrick Dillon Curry as Ambrose Kemper, Angela Richardson as Enerstina and Tom Frates as Rudolph.

Herman's highly popular Mame follows, playing July 16-25. Directed by Frank Roberts and choreographed by Susan Chebookjian, the cast features Lee Meriwether in the title role. Meriwether, a former Miss America, Today Show veteran and co-star of the popular Barnaby Jones television series with Buddy Ebsen, has twice before played the free spirited aunt from Beekman Place. Her recent credits include Mary Tyrone in a West Coast staging of Long Day's Journey into Night. Joining her in the breezy Herman classic is the Tony nominated Maureen Brennan (Candide) as Agnes Gooch and Boston's three time IRNE Award winner Maryann Zschau as Vera Charles. They are joined by Troy J. Costa as the young Patrick, Kai Chao as Ito, R. Glen Michell as Beauregard, Rick Sherburne as Dwight Babcock, Stan Alger as Lindsey Woolsey, Harold "Jerry" Walker as Claude Upson, Linda Lodi as Doris Upson, Thayer Surette as Gloria Upson, Aurelie Alger as Sally Cato, Johanna Perri as Pegeen Ryan, Peter Sewell as Peter and Angela Richardson as Madame Branislawski. Casting is ongoing for the older Patrick.

La Cage aux Folles, the season closer, finds David Scala directing and choreographing Herman's St. Tropez romp. Scala was the original Broadway Phaedra among Les Cagelles. The production runs August 13-22. The headlining duo is David Engel and Jamie Ross, both vets of the original Broadway La Cage hit. Engel (La Cage aux Folles, Putting it Together, Seussical), a six time recipient of LA's Ovation Award - and the Hanna of the original La Cage cast, is seen as Albin, a role he previously played. He is coupled with Jamie Ross (42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) as Georges, a role he performed opposite George Hearn in the initial run. Featured are Jessica Azenberg as Anne, David Carney as Jean-Michel, Catherine Lee Christie as Mme. Dindon and Betsy Foley as Jacqueline. The supporting cast sees Paul Reynolds as Francis, Jean-Alfred Chavier as M. Renaud, Angela Richardson as Mme. Renaud. Casting is ongoing for Dindon, Jacob and completing Les Cagelles.

Reagle Players was delighted to hear that Jerry Herman is to be honored with a special Lifetime Achievement Tony Award this year. The group has been preparing this tribute season for months with the generous cooperation and counsel of Mr. Herman. Difficult times seemed ideal for revisiting the unbridled optimism pervading Jerry Herman's works. Affectionately known as "the poet of the show tune," Herman's music and lyrics affirm love and inclusion and reveal life's unnoticed joys and delights. Now seems the ideal time for hearing a Herman tune, celebrating parades, opening new windows and remembering that, because we're here, today is the best of times.

Tickets priced $32-$54, available by calling (781) 891 5600 or visit online at www.reagleplayers.com. Attractive group discounts available. Reagle Players is located at Robinson Theater, 617 Lexington Street in Waltham MA. Free parking, air conditioned, wheelchair accessible, fine area restaurants and hotels.

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