Weston’s Rising Star Jonathan Tillen Earns IRNE Nomination

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) committee has nominated Weston’s own rising star, Jonathan Tillen, as “Best Young Performer” for his breakout performance as “Winthrop Paroo” in Reagle Music Theater of Greater Boston’s 2018 production of The Music Man. The 23rd Annual IRNE Awards will take place on Monday, April 8th, and will honor the best in Boston theater including actors, directors, choreographers, designers and companies across the full spectrum of large, mid-size and fringe theater companies.

“I was so surprised to learn that I was nominated! It feels great knowing that all the hard work that went into the show paid off and people liked the show and liked Winthrop and what I was trying to show on stage about him,” said Tillen. “Doing The Music Man at Reagle Music Theatre was extra special not just because Winthrop is an amazing part to play but also because of the people I had a chance to work with - I just learned so much working with Director Susan Chebookjian, and actors Jennifer Ellis, Mark Linehan and Mama Paroo, Marlee Fairbanks. They were all really great with me and made me so comfortable off stage, it made the scenes on stage easy because we really liked each other. Even if I don’t win it is quite an honor to be nominated!”

At age 11, Tillen’s role as “Winthrop Paroo” was the young actor’s inaugural performance on the main stage at Reagle Music Theater, earning rave reviews from critics. R. Scott Reedy, WickedLocal Theater Correspondent noted: “Another performer with a hard act to follow is rising sixth-grader Jonathan Tillen, who portrays Marian’s much younger brother, Winthrop Paroo, a role played unforgettably in the feature film by a then 8-year-old Ronny Howard. But as the shy, introverted little boy with the lisp, Tillen will steal your heart. Along the way, he also steals a scene or two, especially with his full-throated act-two performance of “Gary, Indiana.”” Rich Fahey of OnBostonStages.com wrote: “As only a rising 6th grader, Tillen particularly impresses with his strong commitment to character and adorable rendition of “Gary, Indiana” in the second act.”

Jonathan loves to sing, act, dance and perform music, and has been honing his skills from a very young age. Previous acting performances have included Beauty and the Beast with the Junior Broadway Productions in Weston, and ChristmasTime and The Most Happy Fella at Reagle Music Theater. He also participated in theater classes and student workshops at Reagle. Classically trained in violin and viola, Jonathan earned The Magdalena Richter Violin Scholarship for promising young violinist in 3rd grade when he was 8. He has performed as soloist or ensemble member with the MMEA All-State Honors Treble Chorus, The River’s Conservatory Contemporary Music for the Young, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and The River’s Philharmonia Youth Orchestra. He is also a Young Artist Diploma Level III scholar at the River’s Conservatory, a boy scout, and is a 2nd degree black belt.

Reagle Music Theater’s production of The Music Man also received IRNE nominations for Susan M. Chebookjian for Choreography, and Jennifer Ellis for Best Actress - Musical for her performance as “Marian Paroo.”

The IRNE Awards were founded by Beverly Creasey of the Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of Theater Mirror in 1995. Each year the IRNE Awards recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community.

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