Talking to Cara Reichel, the director and co-writer of the new musical THE HELLO GIRLS at The Phoenix Theatre Company

Cara Reichel
photo by Diane Phelan

by Gil Benbrook

There has been a lot of talk lately about "cancel culture" and rewriting history but what's even more important is that we should really learn about the parts of history that we've never been taught. That's the focus of the new musical The Hello Girls, which has its regional premiere at The Phoenix Theatre Company through January 30, after premiering off Broadway in 2018.

The musical focuses on a group of women dubbed the "hello girls" who served in WWI as the first women in the Army. They fielded calls, in both English and French, from the Army base in Chaumont, France as initially the calls weren't getting through fast enough, so the Army decided to hire women who spoke both languages and had experience as telephone operators to serve as part of the Signal Corps.

Director and co-writer Cara Reichel is the Producing Artistic Director of NYC’s critically-acclaimed Prospect Theater Company where The Hello Girls premiered and was nominated for multiple Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle Award nominations, and she also directs the Phoenix Theatre production.

Reichel sat down after putting the finishing touches on the production for its opening night this past weekend to answer some questions about the show.

Since this is a relatively new musical that most people aren't aware of, and The Phoenix Theatre Company is presenting the show's West Coast premiere, what would you tell someone the show is about?

Reichel: "This musical tells the story of the first women who served in the U.S. Army, who were bi-lingual telephone operators working on the front lines in World War I. These women weren't fully acknowledged veterans until 1977, nearly 60 years after the war. Ultimately, the show is a celebration of their contribution and in the big picture, a lesson in how each and every individual has an impact on shaping history and making change. "

In addition to directing this production, you are also the show's co-writer/creator - what was your inspiration for the show?

"When I first learned about the story of the 'Hello Girls' it was in a documentary entitled 'Unsung Heroes -- and of course, as a maker of musical theater, I immediately thought: 'Well, let's sing about these heroines!' After that initial spark, we did a lot of research into the history of the women and the time period -- including reading Elizabeth Cobbs' wonderful book The Hello Girls which came out in 2017. I recommend it!"

Rosemarie Chandler and Gabrielle Smith in the Phoenix Theatre Company production
photo by Reg Madison Photography

What can you tell us about the historical significance about the piece?

"The women who served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WWI were the first women to serve as soldiers with the Army (rather than nurses, or working in other support capacities.) Their military service helped pave the way for the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote."

There have been several dramatic plays that depict the events of WWI. How did the decision to turn the events of the Hello Girls into a musical and not a straight play and what can you tell us about how the book by Elizabeth Cobbs was an inspiration for the piece?

"This show is not an adaptation of her book, it was one of several resources we used to research the topic. Peter Mills and I (with Prospect Theater Company in NYC) primarily create musicals, so we are always on the lookout for source material which has the ability to rise to the heightened level of good musical theater. This story has all the emotional power and heart that we look for!  And, musicals can sweep us along through time and place in a way which I feel serves the epic nature of telling a war story."

The show premiered Off Broadway in 2018. What did you learn from that production and have you made any changes to the show since then? 

"Our NYC premiere Off-Broadway in 2018 was an incredible experience to share the story in front of audiences, and we learned so much about the energy and flow of the show. Since then, we've continued to refine the script and music all along the way as we try the material out in different venues. We are excited to share this story at The Phoenix Theatre Company." 

What do you hope audiences take away from seeing The Hello Girls at The Phoenix Theatre Company?

"I hope audiences will leave feeling inspired about their role in our contemporary society, as the 'Hello Girls' were in their time. We are all making history as we live our lives, and being engaged in our democratic process is something generations before have fought to protect for us. I hope audiences will carry the dedication and determination of these women forward."

CLICK HERE for more information on The Hello Girls at The Phoenix Theatre Company, which runs through January 30