Waltham restaurants weigh potential impact of Reagle Theatre’s financial challenges

Following the cancellation of Reagle Music Theatre’s summer production of Newsies, nearby business owners and stakeholders are weighing the impact that the theater’s financial struggles could have on the local economy.

While this isn’t the first time the theater has dealt with financial strain, it has been even worse this year, particularly in its busiest season, according to Sheron Thorp Doucette, President of Reagle Theatre’s Board of Directors.

Doucette, who saw her first show at Reagle in 1976 and has served as resident stage manager, director of education, box office manager and more for the theater, cited inflation as a major reason for the theater’s current challenges and particularly how it impacts their ability to support the theater.

“When folks have less disposable income, they have to cut back. Those who may have been able to donate to nonprofit organizations are having to tighten their belts and that trickles down,” she said.

Doucette said she expects the theater’s struggles to be felt by neighboring businesses as well, like restaurants, ice cream shops and coffee houses.

“So many of our patrons tell us about where they went to dinner before the show or where they are going after for drinks and dessert. We have a theater with a 1,000-seat capacity. If even a small percentage of those folks dine locally before or after a production, it is helping the local economy,” Doucette said.

Nearby Waltham restaurants have seen that economic boon from the theater’s presence. Amy Riordan, director of sales and marketing at the Chateau Restaurant Group, said that show nights often help to bring customers into The Chateau’s Waltham location at 195 School St.

And at Tessie’s Bar & Kitchen at 841 Main St., co-owner Maura McAuliffe said Reagle Theatre show nights and Sunday matinees have been great for business over the years – particularly in recent summer months with students out of town and many folks away on the weekends.

Both establishments expressed their concern for Reagle Theatre as longtime supporters of the nonprofit.

“The news has been devastating to us. Not just from a business perspective but as a member of the Waltham community,” McAuliffe said. “I’m sure we’re not the only restaurant to be affected… People come from all over to catch a show at Reagle. It is an important way to bring people to Waltham and show them what a great city this is for dining, shopping, culture and the arts.”

Financial challenges

Reagle Music Theatre depends on charitable donations, grants, corporate sponsors and ad sales to maintain itself. Federal grants that were made available when theaters first reopened from the pandemic were impactful, but are no longer available. Meanwhile, funding for the arts is diminishing, Doucette said, but the number of organizations seeking funding each year is not.

“Sadly, there have been so many cuts to the arts I wasn’t exactly surprised [to hear], but it’s also that folks are tightening their wallets all around. They are cutting down on restaurants, shopping and possibly entertainment. It’s a cyclical effect but will have a broader impact if it continues,” McAuliffe said.

The cancellation of Newsies was announced in July by the Reagle Music Theatre Board of Directors, and was originally slated to run this month, from Aug. 8-17. The announcement explains that the theater was unable to generate the financial resources needed to produce a high-quality show. The theater’s latest production, Evita, ran from July 11-20.

Summer is the theater’s busiest season, but the Newsies cancellation meant the schedule for seasonal staff came to an end early, resulting in either reduced or fully cut working hours for some production and office staff.

Doucette said the theater has also had to raise ticket prices by five or 10 dollars depending on the show to keep up with rising costs, but has tried to keep the minimum price consistent to maintain the most affordable option for patrons. 

Tickets for the theater’s next show, the “ChristmasTime” production, range from $39 for an obstructed view ticket up to $89 for Section A seats, all with an additional $6 service charge.

Doucette said Reagle Theatre doesn’t anticipate any more cancellations or delays to upcoming shows at this time, and they hope the time will come where they do get to produce Newsies in the future.

“Reagle has a history in this community and we want to stay here. We will continue to bring high-quality musicals to our city and do so at a level our patrons are accustomed to year after year,” she said. 

CORRECTION: A quote at the end of this story in the original posting was misattributed to Doucette. It has been removed.