Rachel had a busy 2019! First, she directed West Side Story at Berkeley Playhouse. She followed that with a production of Big, the Musical, while simultaneous directing a cast of fantastic young actors in High School Musical. In the fall, Rachel directed the first performance of Laurie Roldan’s one-woman show at Town Hall Theatre. She rounded out the year by music directing A Christmas Story at Berkeley Playhouse.
Rachel started 2018 by music directing James and the Giant Peach at Berkeley Playhouse. She then spent the summer back at the Playhouse directing the Teen Intensive production of Grease. She rounded out the year by music directing The Rocky Horror Show at Ray of Light Theatre for the second year.
Rachel rounded out 2017 by directing a reading of a new musical entitled Goldrush 2.0, music directing Ray of Light Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Rocky Horror Show, directing the fabulous Ariela Morgenstern’s sold-out cabaret at Feinstein’s at the Hotel Nikko, and playing keyboard for Pied Piper Players’ production of School of Rock. What a year!
Rachel spent the Spring and Summer of 2017 working on 3 fantastic musicals – Billy Elliot at Berkeley Playhouse, Evita at Pacific Coast Rep, and Seussical at Bay Area Musicals.
Rachel directed Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical at Altarena Playhouse. The show, which chronicles the life and work of singer Rosemary Clooney, featured Kim Long and Dan Kapler, and ran January 6th-February 12th 2017. Read the Mercury News review here. Read the Theatrius review here.
Rachel played Kaye in Altarena Playhouse’s 2016 holiday show The Taffetas. She had a wonderful time bringing the best of 1950s pop music to the Alameda audiences.
Rachel went under the sea in the summer of 2016 with The Little Mermaid at Berkeley Playhouse. She music directed this family favorite, which ran on the professional stage from June 23rd-July 31st. Read the Vmedia Review here.
Rachel directed Anything Goes with Berkeley Playhouse’s Imagination Players in the Spring of 2016.
“Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now!” Rachel spent the 4th of July performing in Hermilton. An all-female tribute to the founding fathers, featuring music from the smash hit, Hamilton. The concert was a benefit for the Quinan Street Project.
Rachel will be directing Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical at Altarena Playhouse this winter. There are still audition slots available for May 28th and 29th. Sign up here.
Rachel is happy to announce that she will be returning to Pacific Coast Rep to music direct Evita in April 0f 2017! She is looking forward to returning to one of her favorite companies, to rock this Andrew Lloyd Webber hit with some of the most talented folks in the Bay Area! Check back soon for audition information.
In the summer of 2017, Rachel will direct Sesussical for Bay Area Musicals. She is thrilled to be directing one of her favorite shows for this new and vibrant San Francisco company.
Eugene O’Neill: The Rhythms of His Soul, a lively musical revue based on the songs and dances from fifty-one O’Neill plays, ran from April 30th-May 15th. Rachel directed the piece, which played at the Old Barn at the beautiful Tao House in Danville.
Ring of Fire played to rave reviews at Altarena Playhouse. Rachel music directed the show, which enjoyed an entire sold out run. Read the reviews here!
Rachel returned to PCRT last Fall to music direct their production of South Pacific! It was Rachel’s third time working on this lavish, classic show.
Rachel’s solo show, “Chasing the Sun,” was a huge success! She raised over $1,000 and met her fundraising goal of $2,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Videos coming soon!
Rachel just wrapped up a wonderful summer of Fiddler on the Roof. The critically acclaimed Berkeley Playhouse production delighted hundreds of audience members over its six week run. And be sure to read the fabulous reviews!
The Pacific Coast Rep production of Fiddler on the Roof enjoyed an entirely sold out run at the Pleasanton Firehouse Arts Center! Rachel had the most incredible time playing Hodel and working with such a generous company of directors and actors. Read Vince Mediaa’s Review. Check out the Media page for production photos!
The students at Orinda Intermediate School put on a heartfelt and hilarious production of Shrek The Musical this spring. They performed to sold-out crowds, as Rachel rounded out her second year as director of the OIS Bulldog Theatre.
The Pleasanton Civic Arts Stage Company’s final show of the 2014-2015 Season – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – was a rousing success! The classic story featured two casts of 20 young actors, and was helmed by Rachel Robinson (director) and Salim Razawi (Assistant Director/Stage Manager). Watch the promo video here!
Rachel played keyboard in the orchestra for Tri Valley Rep’s production of Les Misérables. The run was completely sold out! Be sure to read the rave review in the San Jose Mercury News.
The Pleasanton Civic Arts Team rounded out 2014 with a rousing production of My Son Pinocchio. This classic show featured an enormous cast of young actors, a beautiful set designed by Martin Flynn, and favorite songs such as “I’ve Got No Strings” and “When You Wish Upon A Star.”
Rachel music directed “What’s Your Story, Bay Area?” – a benefit concert for FOGG Theatre. This evening of original stories and songs based on the lives of local Bay Area residents was held on Monday, November 17th and Tuesday, November 18th at 7:30pm at a.Muse Gallery, 614 Alabama Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Read about the concert in the Chronicle!
Rachel and her colleague, Erica Maier D’Ambrosio, presented a recital entitled “Songs From the Heart” on November 22nd at 2:30 pm.
Doctor Dolittle, Jr. – the first production of the 2014-2015 season at the Civic Arts Stage Company opened to rave reviews on September 26th! Watch the promo video below:
The Snow Queen opened at Orinda Intermediate School next Thursday, November 13th. Read about the show in the paper!
Rachel spent a wonderful summer in the swamp with
Shrek The Musical at Berkeley Playhouse! Rachel music directed the fun production, which closed on August 3rd. Read the Berkeley Patch review!
Rachel just spent four months as the Music Supervisor of The Speak Easy, an interactive theatre experience. Reserve your tickets today! Th show closes June 21st! Read the Chronicle review.
The Secret Garden opened at the Pleasanton Firehouse on February 28th! Rachel directed this beautiful and compelling show. Watch the trailer below:
Rachel is happy to announce that she will be music directing Cabaret as part of the Sonoma Theatre Alliance’s 2013 Festival. Click here for the details.
Rachel recently ended her 8-month stint as Music Director on Boxcar Theatre’s wildly popular production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Rachel is gone, but the show is still running! Visit http://www.boxcartheatre.org for tickets.
This week only! Rachel is serving as Music Director on a week-long workshop of BRIDGES: A NEW MUSICAL at the Berkeley Playhouse. BRIDGES is about a contemporary Bay Area multiracial family dealing with growing pains, as its matriarch recalls growing up in Selma, Alabama, at the height of the turbulent civil rights movement and reveals a family secret that will change everything. Staged readings of this exciting new work will take place Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th at 7pm. Click here for more information.
Rachel is so pleased to be directing the KidStage production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. at Berkeley Playhouse this Spring. Click here to buy tickets.
Rachel is happy to be serving as music director on not one, but two productions of Peter Pan, Jr. at Berkeley Playhouse this winter!
Rachel will be playing the piano for the Star eQuality Players’ production of A Chorus Line on Saturday, September 8th! See a show promo here. And buy tickets while you’re at it. Spend a beautiful day in the Sonoma Valley. Great wine and wonderful theatre!
Rachel is thrilled to be music directing one of the national regional premiers of 9to5 the Musical at the Willows Theatre! The smokin’ hot production opens on May 25th.
The Willows Theatre Company recently produced A Year With Frog and Toad as part of the Spring Matinee Series – a free field trip for schools. Rachel served as both director and musical director! Read about the incredible event in the Contra Costa Times.
Rachel earned rave reviews for her performance as Clara in The Light in the Piazza.
Read the Benicia Herald review here!
Rachel was nominated for a Shellie Award for her musical direction of Chicago at the Willows Theatre!
Read some of Chicago’s rave reviews:
–Examiner
–Contra Costa Times
–Benicia Herald
–San Jose Mercury News
–Charles Jarrett Reviews
Rachel Robinson Music 
