As someone who grew up surrounded by music, with a range of musicians from music educators to music appreciators to performing artists strewn throughout the family, I have had many years to contemplate the question, "What is music?" What does it mean to me? To my family? To other musicians? To my students? To my teachers? To my history? To my future? To my life? Throughout my 51 years on the planet, I've drawn countless conclusions for myself, and each conclusion... each answer... was always the right one…
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Award Winning Performing & Recording Artist, Director, and Teacher
What they're saying...
"Lately it seems that singer Gretchen Reinhagen’s name pops up most often with the word “director” attached, but in her continuing residency at Pangea the words “host” and “star” are more to the point." – BistroAwards.com
"In recalling Kaye Ballard as an important influence, the talented Gretchen Reinhagen shares not only her idol's vocal quality but adds a valuable slant on the mercurial quality of fate. In between signature songs, she recounts Ballard's hardly-chopped-liver career but includes a number of tough-luck stories that make the oft-overlooked point that natural gifts aren't everything. The gift of good luck is also required. " – The Village Voice ("Voice Choice" Critic's pick)
"I don't use this word often or casually, but Gretchen Reinhagen's show about Kaye Ballard is a triumph." - Cabaret Scenes
"This uplifting show is masterfully directed by Gretchen Reinhagen, who seemingly knows the heart of this woman so well she has crafted the act to showcase [Donna] Hayes at her very best." – BroadwayWorld.com
Raw Diamond Records Debut Album
“Gretchen Reinhagen sets the bar high with her new CD, Take It with Me. In doing so, she proves what everybody already knows—what a powerhouse she can be. ” - John Hoglund
“A performer widely known for her skill with comedy, Gretchen Reinhagen set the funny aside and put on her serious hat for her debut CD 'Take It With Me.' The versatile Reinhagen...is much more than a funny girl influenced by the comediennes who paved the way for a woman of her individuality and natural wit, as her maiden voyage into the recording studio proves. ...[Reinhagen's] technique as a singer and her inspiration as a storyteller afford her audience a sublimely artistic and surprisingly human journey, from start to finish.” - Stephen Mosher
Awards & Recognition
2020 MAC award for Major Female Artist
2020 MAC Award for Major Recording
2020 Bistro Award for Recording (tied with Gabrielle Stravelli)
2019 Won a cancelled trip to the Galapagos @ the Company Holiday Party
2018 MAC Award for Musical Comedy
2018 & 2017 Joke Contest Winner at the day job Holiday Dinner
2018 Saw a gnome in Grand Central
2017 Won $20 on the grey horse @ the Company Belmont Outing
2016 Saw an invisible guy
2013 MAC Award for Directing (tied with Eric Michael Gillette)
2010 MAC Award for Musical Comedy
2010 Bistro Award for Tribute Show
2010 NY Nightlife Award for Comedy or Characterization
2010 Won a fellowship to the O'Neill Theather Center
2010 Told off my boss
1999-2010 Got my Equity card three times
1999 Desert Theater League Award for Original Writing
1998 Desert Theater League Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical
1994 The Dean of Pepperdine's Fine Arts Division let me pass piano proficiency so I could graduate
1979 Caldicott Award for Best Short Story about a girl whose sister stole her pony
1970 Janis Joplin died
1970 Gretchen was born
...do the math