Cara L. Reichel
Director ~ Writer ~ Educator
NYC-based creative leader working regionally and internationally. Co-creator of The Hello Girls.
DIRECTING
Cara Reichel has directed numerous NYC / World Premieres of musicals created in collaboration with Peter Mills through Prospect Musicals, including the 2019 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award-nominated production of The Hello Girls at 59E59 Theaters. She recently directed a new Broadway-aimed production of The Hello Girls at Syracuse Stage (2025), as well as the regional premiere at Phoenix Theatre Company (2022) and a staged concert at the Kennedy Center (2024).
Other favorite directing projects include the Drama Desk Award-nominated Einstein's Dreams (by Joanne Sydney Lessner and Joshua Rosenblum, Prospect @ 59E59) and Iron Curtain (by Susan DiLallo, Mills, and Stephen Weiner) which she directed at the O’Neill Theatre Center, NAMT's Festival of New Musicals, and in its critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway premiere.
Matt McGloin, Ellie Fishman, Skyler Volpe, Andrew Mayer, Ben Moss, and Cathryn Wake in The Hello Girls (59E59). Photo by Richard Termine.
“A musical as triumphant as the true story on which it is based... Reichel's inventive staging holds the vasty fields of France between two upright pianos... A joyous experience.” ~ Theatermania
“A highly imaginative Prospect Theater Company staging by its gifted artistic director, Cara Reichel... mesmerizing projections… magical lighting… picture perfect costumes.” ~ The Broadway Blog
"Something entirely, excitingly new... Reichel has provided a gripping, fluid staging that's an airtight match for the material... thrillingly, theatrically alive.” ~ Talkin' Broadway
“Highly entertaining… delivers smart satire with a dark backwoods accent... Reichel’s imaginative direction creates witty, eye-catching entrances and exits.” — The New York Times
"This high-spirited, utterly engaging musical adaptation of Twelfth Night is an intergenerational winner that deserves an unequivocal thumbs-up." — The New York Times
"Cara Reichel has meticulously helmed this hilarious throwback to the golden age of musicals, and the production and the work give hope for the fate of the American tuner." ~ Back Stage
“Reichel directs with confidence and force. She stages the action with fierce, speedy precision... the actual flood, in particular, is a simple but slyly executed bit of stagecraft that knocks one's socks off.” ~ NYTheatre.com
“An achievement on par with The Lion King for its gutsiness and sheer theatrical beauty… Reichel has with The Book of the Dun Cow come into her own as an artistic force to be reckoned with.” — Talkin’ Broadway
“A pre-Jazz Age cocktail… Reichel’s production steps lively from song to song… The nineteen cast members deserve the summa cum laude.” ~ The New York Times
"Reichel's direction is constantly inventive and fast-paced… a theatrical fairy tale worth listening to (and watching) again and again." ~ Theatermania
“As You Like It, set it in feudal Japan, with samurai in place of French royalty... If a crowd-pleaser like this can’t get a commercial transfer, it will be a real dishonor.” — Time Out New York
“The show simply rocks, making good on the premise that rock opera just might be the best way of conveying the intensity of Greek tragedy to a modern audience.” — The Village Voice
Cara Reichel specializes in the creation of new musical theater, bringing shows successfully from initial concept through full production. Strengths include:
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dramaturgical collaboration with writers,
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strong visual sensibility with innovative musical staging,
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ensemble-driven work with performers of all ages,
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partnering with designers to build compelling theatrical worlds,
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stylistic versatility from musical comedy to intimate drama,
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attention to transitions which maintain energy, pacing, and flow,
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experience with actor-musician work and site-specific productions.
Through her work at Prospect Musicals, Cara has collaborated with many emerging and established writers on readings, workshops, and productions of new work. Favorite collaborations include: working with Michele Brourman, Sheilah Rae, and Thomas Edward West on I Married Wyatt Earp (aka The Belle of Tombstone) which had its NYC premiere in a co-production by New York Theatre Barn and Prospect at 59e59 Theaters. Also, working with Susan DiLallo and Stephen Weiner on Once Upon a Time in New Jersey (NYC Premiere with Prospect and regional production at Surflight Theatre in NJ), and with Randy Courts and Mark St. Germain on The Book of the Dun Cow (NYC premiere with Prospect). At Prospect she collaborated with Carol Hall (Musical Theater Lab) and Michael Cooper and Hyeyoung Kim on Sunfish, and regionally with Christine Toy Johnson and Jason Ma on Barcelona (Village Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals) and with Craig Bohmler and Mary Bracken Phillips on Sacagawea (Goodwill Theatre).
Internationally, she has directed at the Teatro Carlo Gesualdo in Italy, and for Broadway au Carré in Paris, France. She received “New Directors / New Works” Grants from the Drama League, and participated in the Drama League's 2012 international exchange with Bulgarian theatres.
Cara has a passion for re-interpreting classic works and has directed adaptations of Purcell's DIDO (& Aeneas), Danton’s Death, Twelfth Night, Merry Wives of Windsor, Othello, As You Like It, Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, Everyman, The House of Bernarda Alba, and more. She has also directed productions of classic musicals including A Little Night Music, The Most Happy Fella, and others.
Photo credits: Zal Owen and Alexandra Silber in EINSTEIN'S DREAMS. Ellie Fishman and others in THE HELLO GIRLS. Wilson Bridges and Meghan McGeary in DEATH FOR FIVE VOICES. Matt Dengler and Jessica Grove in THE UNDERCLASSMAN. The company of IRON CURTAIN. Briga Heelan and others in ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY. Mike Rosengarten, Matthew Dure and Scott Wakefield in GOLDEN BOY OF THE BLUE RIDGE (photo by Gerry Goodstein). Jimmy Ray Bennett, Ryan Dietz, Tina Stafford, Dan Sharkey and Jim Poulos in ILLYRIA (photo by Reichel). Diane Phelan and Vincent Rodriguez III in HONOR. Rashidra Scott, Simone Zamore and Jaygee Macapugay in THE ROCKAE (photo by Gerry Goodstein). Robby Sharpe and Susan Maris in THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW (photo by Reichel). Jennifer Blood and Gavin Creeel in THE FLOOD (photo by Reichel). Ali Ewoldt and Doan MacKenzie in HONOR. Meghan McGeary in THE ROCKAE (photo by Gerry Goodstein). All production photos by Richard Termine except as indicated.