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In this engaging episode, acclaimed director and choreographer Rachel Bertone joins host Will Nunziata to discuss her remarkable journey in theater, dance, and education. From award-winning productions like Cabaret and In the Heights to her upcoming projects including Van Gogh: A New Musical, Rachel shares insights into her creative process, challenges in the industry, and her vision for the future of performance.
Presented by FENIX360, a revolutionary blockchain platform reshaping how artists and fans connect, this conversation is part of a broader mission to empower creators through technology.

Dive into the story of how award-winning director/choreographer Rachel Bertone brings creativity to life on stage, and why her work is a refreshing cultural escape this summer.

In this special Culture Show episode, award‑winning director Rachel Bertone, Artistic Director at Reagle Music Theatre, discusses her vision for An American in Paris as part of the theatre’s 55th season. She joins violinist Lindsay Deutsch, known for her genre-defying musical style, and the hosts delve into themes of art, place, and synchronicity in music and performance.

Award‑winning director Rachel Bertone brings staging and choreography to Reagle Music Theatre’s new production of An American in Paris, crafting fresh movement through Gershwin’s timeless score. Catch this stunning performance in Waltham through August 18.

At the 2024 Elliot Norton Awards, Rachel Bertone took home Outstanding Choreography for Reagle Music Theatre’s Oklahoma!, joining a stellar list of winners honoring Boston’s theater excellence.

After a decade of performing, choreographing, and directing at Reagle Music Theatre, Rachel Bertone returns as artistic director, succeeding founder Robert J. Eagle after his remarkable 52-year tenure. A Reagle alum herself, Bertone brings both deep roots and fresh vision to the company, launching her inaugural season with dynamic productions of West Side Story and Pippin. Committed to honoring tradition while expanding the theater’s reach, she emphasizes collaboration, diversity, and community — blending local talent with artists from New York, and planning to grow educational programs, concert offerings, and audience engagement for the future.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Reagle Music Theatre artistic director RachelBertone — an award winner for both her choreography and direction — is the perfect person to take on this lush dance musical based on the Gene Kelly film and featuring the enchanting music of George and Ira Gershwin, including “I Got Rhythm," “S' Wonderful," and “They Can't Take That Away From Me." Aug. 9-18. Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, 617 Lexington St., Waltham. reaglemusictheatre.org

When Rachel Bertone directs and choreographs a musical, she sees it from every side – as a leader, as a performer, and also as a psychologically astute student of human relationships.

Think of: A hungry young talent in the mold of Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman, who was a classically trained dancer as a child before getting her start directing and choreographing in community theater.

When you think of Rodgers and Hammerstein, “dark” is not typically a word that comes to mind. Sure, South Pacific touches on racism, The King and I centers on a pseudo-barbaric ruler who treats women like property, and The Sound of Music takes place during the Third Reich’s rise to power.

Actress Leigh Barrett gravitates toward flawed characters.

“They have the most compelling stories to tell because they are complicated and often misunderstood,” she says.

The story behind "The Wild Party" is almost as colorful as the tale of sex, drugs, booze, and jealousy that the show itself tells. Originally a long poem by "New Yorker" managing editor Joseph Moncure March, "The Wild Party" was published in 1928, causing instant scandal -- but also becoming an instant success.

Musical theater director and choreographer Rachel Bertone was familiar with the work of costume designer Marian Bertone long before the pair – who team up for Moonbox Productions’ presentation of “Cabaret,” opening April 14 at Boston’s Wimberly Theatre – ever worked together on a show.

Rachel Bertone has many childhood memories of family visits to York’s Wild Kingdom in Maine.

“I grew up in Malden and we often went up to York Beach in the summer,” explained Bertone by telephone last week from her home in Cambridge.

When it comes to rock musicals, “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” is not only the OG, it’s also the gold standard.

When it opened on Broadway in the spring of 1968, “Hair” – the tale of a group of counter-culture hippies…

Rachel Bertone has a gift for not only understanding dancers' bodies, but knowing and implementing diverse styles of dance in her choreography. Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) was a perfect show to direct and choreograph in order to highlight her love for the stage and showcase her impressive repertoire of choreography.

Rachel Bertone is a choreographer, dance teacher, and director who spreads her love for dance, music, and storytelling throughout the Greater Boston area. Her stunning and innovative choreography for Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s Les Miserables earned her a nomination for Best Choreography. Rachel shares her love for storytelling with us, along with some of the challenges of choreography and some of the shows that she’d love to tackle!