(L-R) Reba Evenchik, Debra Jo Rupp, and Julianne Boyd. Photo by Stephen Sorokoff.

In Loving Memory
Reba Evenchik

a tribute by Julianne Boyd
founding Artistic Director

There were two people who made me certain that moving Barrington Stage to Pittsfield in 2005 was the right thing to do. One was the Mayor, Jimmy Ruberto, who introduced us to city council men and women, state reps, etc. The other was Reba Evenchik. She was a one-person welcoming committee! Her warmth and her passion for the arts were a powerful welcome! Reba immediately invited me to an “afternoon tea with hats” for women only. “With hats?” I wasn’t sure what that was. I was told to wear a big, fun hat. Okay – somehow I found a hat and I walked into a beautiful room with a large group of women all wearing Reba-style hats. Reba had put together an exciting variety of women: teachers, lawyers, artists and mothers. She knew who’d I want to meet. I learned so much about my new community in one afternoon tea. I was enchanted by this beautiful woman with a flowing dress who welcomed me with a big smile and open arms.

Soon my husband and I bought a home about one block from Reba and Bruce’s. Then came the “welcome to the hood” party with neighbors bringing pot luck dishes. My husband and I knew we had made the right move to Pittsfield.

Reba continued to introduce me to small, new groups of people.

Community was all important to Reba. She wanted to make sure Barrington Stage understood it and loved it. Mission accomplished.

Reba soon joined our Board and became actively involved in two main areas: the first is the Playwright Mentoring Project, our Youth at Risk program for disenfranchised youth in Pittsfield and North Adams. Reba, as a former teacher, knew its importance as she saw young people’s lives changed through this program. It was exciting to see her get excited about the work we were doing.

Her second area of interest was working with and understanding young musical theatre writing teams as BSC developed new musicals. Reba first got involved when she met Bill Finn, the brilliant composer/lyricist who wrote Falsettos and the show we premiered, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He moved in across the street from me here in Pittsfield – and down the block from Reba. They became fast friends – I have never seen Bill so idolize a woman as he did Reba. He loved her charm, her humor, her individual flair and most importantly, her understanding of artists and what they needed to create. I can still see Bill and his partner Arthur sitting on their front porch when Bill sees Reba walking by with her dog. He immediately yells out “Reba, you must stop and see me.” He totally adored her.

Reba’s love of music found a perfect match when Bill introduced her to the young musical writing teams. She found the writers needed peace and quiet away from the hectic pace of the theatre to write and then – almost more importantly, to rewrite their work. She first offered them a place to write – and then a place to stay. Composer/lyricist Joe Iconis told me he stayed at Reba and Bruce’s for one month when he was writing and rehearsing Broadway Bounty Hunter, which later moved to New York.

Reba’s understanding of the space and environment the artists needed in order to create allowed many of our musical theatre writing teams to thrive at BSC. Reba gave them an artistic home.

She was always low key and relaxed and fun to be with – and she showered them with love – and food! – and understanding. It came naturally to her.

But it wasn’t only the musical theatre teams Reba supported. Reba’s cast parties and 4th of July parties made our summers special – for everyone – yes, everyone working at BSC was invited, from the first year intern to the star of the Mainstage – playing volleyball or frisbee or swimming in the pool. There were Miss Firecracker contests where both women and men participated, and Bill Finn and other artists were judges – the perfect summer party, with our staff and casts falling in love with Reba. How could they not?

It was the best of times … but we didn’t know it then.

Indeed from the time we moved to Pittsfield in 2005 until 2019 (pre Covid) we had, without realizing it – together (Reba and those of us at BSC) – we had created our very own Camelot. And Reba started it all. Reba with her exuberant spirit and passion for the arts so perfectly matched our creative energy and what we were trying to accomplish at Barrington Stage. It was the perfect marriage. Reba Evenchik is an important part of BSC history – now a legend. Thank you, Reba. We love you madly.