Reagle Music Theatre Dedicates LITTLE BIT OF IRELAND to Larry Reynolds, Now thru 3/17

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston is once again serving up its warm Irish brew, "A Little Bit of Ireland," today, March 15-17 in the Robinson Theater, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham. Now in its 15th season, this annual musical celebration of St. Patrick's Day is dedicated this year to the memory of the late Larry Reynolds.

Reynolds, who died on October 3, 2012, was a world-renowned Celtic fiddler who performed in each of Reagle's 14 productions of "A Little Bit of Ireland." Born in Ireland in County Galway in 1932, he emigrated to Boston in 1953. He and his family lived in Waltham for many years.

"Larry was a consummate performer and mentor who worked as a carpenter by day and brought music and light to countless audiences and friends by night," says Robert Eagle, producing artistic director of Reagle Music Theatre. "He was a quiet man who shunned the spotlight, letting his music communicate his joy and passion for life. He was completely dedicated to sharing his love of Irish music with the world. At his memorial service last October, nearly 100 colleagues and friends broke into a spontaneous Irish jig in celebration of his remarkable life. He is greatly missed."

At the performance on Friday, March 15 at 7:30 pm, Reynolds will be presented posthumously with the Golden Eagle Award, only the second ever given to an artist by Reagle Music Theatre. His wife, Phyllis, will accept the award on behalf of her husband and family. Dozens of musicians and invited guests will also pay tribute to Reynolds through stories, Irish music and dance. Long-time friend and Comhaltas accordion player Tara Lynch is coordinating the tribute portion of the program.

"A Little Bit of Ireland" is a sumptuous feast of Irish music, folk dancing, and light-hearted comic blarney. This year Gaelic fiddler Sean Clohessy leads Comhaltas, which also features Reynolds's son Larry, Jr. Clohessy is a native of Fedamore, County Limerick, Ireland, and has been playing fiddle for the past 20 years. He has won several All-Ireland titles and currently plays regularly throughout Boston and New York.

World Champion Irish Step Dancer Liam Harney, who performed the role made famous by the legendary Michael Flatley in the London production of "Riverdance," also returns with his electrifying troupe from the Harney Academy of Irish Step-Dancing in Walpole. Harpist extraordinaire Judith Ross of Burlington is also back, leading an ensemble of more than a dozen heavenly pedal harp players ranging in age from seven to 70.

Broadway's Sarah Pfisterer ("Phantom of the Opera," "Show Boat") is once again the show's featured soloist, and Reagle favorite Harold "Jerry" Walker of Waltham brings his impish good humor and riotous Irish stories back for another heaping helping of blarney. Additional cast members will be announced soon.

If watching John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in "The Quiet Man" is your idea of classic St. Patrick's Day viewing, then Reagle Music Theatre's annual wearing o' the green is definitely your cup of Irish tea. Called "a truly great day for the Irish" by New England Entertainment Digest and "a little bit of heaven" by the MetroWest Daily News, "A Little Bit of Ireland" is also a bountiful pot of musical gold at the end of the Celtic rainbow.

Performances of "A Little Bit of Ireland" are set for tonight, March 15 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, March 16 at 2 and 7 pm; and Sunday, March 17 at 2 pm in the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham. Tickets are $35, $38, $43 and $50 for adults, $25 for youths 5-18, with $3 off for seniors 60 and older. Group rates are also available. For tickets and information call the Box Office at 781-891-5600 or visit www.reaglemusictheatre.org.

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