Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will present South Pacific from 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.
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.