THE REIHART’S LONG CAREER
The Reinharts turn 80 this year
RSMT turns 46
Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart
Mr. and Mrs. Jerauld Reinhart celebrated their 80th birthdays this year and like they have done since 1963 (that's 46 years, over half their lives), they will be producing another summer musical at Reinhart Auditorium. That show musical OLIVER and it very well could be their last
one (never say never). July 24, 25, 31 and August 1 at 7:30 and July 26, Aug 2 at 3:00 PM. There are plans in the works for an Alumni night for all who have participated in the 46 years of Ross Music Theatre.
The classic musicals have always been Mr. Reinhart's favorites so he has decided to do another classic in OLIVER. Nothing works on the stage like a well-crafted tale, and OLIVER! is just such a show. Based on the Dickens novel, it will engage your audience with its pathos and drama, while delighting everyone with its outstanding musical numbers. Food, Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, Where is Love?,
Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation are musical theatre classics. Dickens' characters are brought to life-perhaps larger than life-with all their facets glowing
in this production.
Jerry Reinhart will be producing “Oliver” in grand fashion the way all the classical musicals were
intended. Mr. Reinhart has always been Known for big casts, large sets, giant size orchestras, lavish costumes and beautiful voices. He plans the same for Oliver, as Oliver calls for big dance numbers, dramatic lighting, and many large sets and the wonderful Reinhart auditorium stage is up for the task.
As an added intrest Mr. Reinhart's Grandson 8 year old Lucas Reinhart will play the role of Oliver on three nights of the production. Lucas's uncle Mark and Jerry Reinharts's son played the lead role of Oliver 38 years ago in 1971 . You can call 219–947–4922 or look to the web at www.m-mproductions.com/
Coming.html for more information and we will be updating you on events we will be adding for this farewell tour of Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart.
What does a 25 year old college graduate do when he gets out of the Air Force and obtains his first teaching job? If he loves theatre, has studied under famous conductors and directors at Indiana University's prestigious School of Music, he immediately starts to think musical productions. In 1954, attracted to "the Region" by its proximity to 
Chicago theatre, Jerauld Reinhart found the peaceful, friendly community of Merrillville, Indiana and began a long relationship with the school and community as high school choral director for 39 years and Ross Music Theatre director for 46 years.
In 1964, wishing for a creative way to spend the summers, Reinhart asked the Optimist Club of Merrillville to sponsor a summer theatre for young people. The high school gym was the only stage big enough for Reinhart's spectacular spring and winter choral concerts so the theatre productions started on the gym stage and progressed to the gym floor.
Meanwhile, Reinhart had been pushing for an artistic and well-equipped auditorium in which to present school and community events. Backed by the school and community, he sought out the advice of his mentors at IU and the high school auditorium--now the 
Reinhart Auditorium--opened in 1972 with "Kiss Me, Kate." Productions got larger, casts and choruses grew, orchestras grew, as well as Reinhart's eight children, who trouped along every summer. The youngest appeared on stage at age 3.
Since many young children wanted to be "on stage," Mrs. Margilee Reinhart founded the Ross Summer Youth Theatre in the 1980s. After RSMT's 25th anniversary show--"Hello Dolly"--both theatres were temporarily sidetracked in 1989 by school 
renovation and Jerry Reinhart's summer heart by-pass surgery. Not missing a day of school, Reinhart bounced back and as soon as renovations were complete in the auditorium, the theatre was back in business. The children's theatre rejoined its parent organization and productions began again in 94 with "Oliver."
Reinhart's son Michael and his wife Melinda began M&M Productions in 1992 and now has combined with RMT for the successful productions of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "The Wizard of Oz," "Scrooge," "Cotton Patch Gospel," "The Music Man," "Brigadoon," "BIG", "Carousel," "Sound of Music," "Oklahoma," "Scrooge," and "Beauty and the Beast" The merger, which has enabled 2-3 shows a year, is an independent, non-profit, non-subsidized venture supported solely by ticket sales. The theatre group's goal is to present professional quality productions at a community theatre price.
Jerry Reinhart is very proud of his on stage family as well as his own family--some of whom pursued theatre activities. Many alumni are returning with their children, even their grandchildren, to our stage.
Forty-five years later, the 2009 RMT/M&M Productions show "OLIVER" celebrates Reinhart's 46th summer production. Although he has retired from the classroom, Jerauld is still auditorium director and has directed and produced more than one hundred professional quality shows at the high school and community theatre level. At 80 years old he has spent over half of his life producing musicals in Merrillville and has provided musical leadership to thousands of people and entertainment to over 
150,000 in North West Indiana. Jerauld Reinhart is truly the "Music Man" of NW Indiana.
