Broadway musical theater stars Rachel York and Brent Barrett, critically acclaimed co-stars in the West End production of the Tony Award-winning revival of "Kiss Me, Kate" filmed for PBS, reunite for an exclusive two-act concert "Isn't It Romantic?" on Sunday, February 19 at 1 p.m. at Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston. York, a Drama Desk and two-time IRNE Award winner, and Barrett, an LA Drama Critics Award winner and Olivier Award nominee, will sing some of their favorite love songs from the stage, screen, and American Songbook.
In this musical Valentine to love and laughter, York (City of Angels, Les Misérables, Victor/Victoria, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Barrett (Grand Hotel, Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) rekindle the sizzle and spark that stole London's and America's hearts as the battling but still so-in-love exes in "Kiss Me, Kate." They also co-starred in the Ovation Award-winning production of "Anything Goes" at Reprise! Theatre Company in Los Angeles.
In "Isn't It Romantic?" York and Barrett reminisce with a number of Cole Porter tunes including "So in Love," "You're the Top," and "I Get a Kick out of You." They also sing classics such as "How to Handle a Woman," "Anything You Can Do," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "Maybe This Time" and "Music of the Night" along with popular standards like "My Funny Valentine," "Someone to Watch over Me," "He Touched Me" and "Send in the Clowns."
According to Robert Eagle, producing artistic director of Reagle Music Theatre, "Isn't It Romantic?" is being developed to kick off the company's 44th season. The concert is having its world premiere in the Boston area as part of Reagle's winter/spring Celebrity Series that also features Mitzi Gaynor in April.
"Rachel and Brent are fabulous talents, and their chemistry is unparalleled," Eagle says. "Their passion on the PBS Great Performances DVD of ‘Kiss Me, Kate' burns through the screen, and their voices are simply exquisite. Rachel is a Reagle favorite. Our audiences have been clamoring to have her back. And Brent is someone we have admired for a very long time. We are thrilled that their schedules make it possible for them to perform here together at last."
York is well known to Boston audiences for her touring and pre-Broadway performances in "Kiss Me, Kate," "Sly Fox," and "The 101 Dalmatians Musical." She also earned back-to-back IRNE Awards for her starring roles in Reagle's "Hello, Dolly!" and "Into the Woods." She has just completed a two-month run starring as Anna Leonowens in "The King and I" in Philadelphia. Barrett has charmed local theater-goers in recent productions of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at the Cape Playhouse and North Shore Music Theatre. He is currently playing a return engagement on Broadway as the fast-talking legal eagle Billy Flynn in the long-running hit "Chicago."
"Isn't It Romantic?" plays the Reagle Music Theatre in one show only on Sunday, February 19 at 1 p.m. Performance is in the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, easily reached via Route 95. There is ample free parking, and the theater is wheelchair accessible.
Tickets for "Isn't It Romantic?" are priced from $35 to $50 for adults. Seniors (60+) receive $2 off adult prices. Youth tickets (ages 5-18) are $25 for any seat. Student rush seats at 50% off are available at the Box Office one hour before curtain; a valid college ID is required. For groups of 10 or more, call 781-894-2330 or 781-891-5600.
Tickets may be purchased by phone at 781-891-5600 or in person at the Box Office during regular business hours, Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and performance days 9 a.m. to curtain. Tickets may also be purchased online anytime at www.reaglemusictheatre.org.
