This epic and soaring musical, winner of multiple Tony Awards and based on E.L. Doctorow’s classic novel, intertwines three distinct stories. Ragtime poignantly illustrates history's timeless dualities of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate.
The serene existence of a wealthy couple is shaken when they encounter a spirited African-American musician and his lover, who dream of a better life for their son. Meanwhile, a Russian immigrant and his daughter arrive on the streets of New York City, determined to build a fortune and put their former lives behind them. Along the way, each family encounters colorful historical figures, ranging from Harry Houdini to Henry Ford. Drawing upon traditional Jewish folk songs, vaudeville's outrageous style, and Joplin-inspired music, Ragtime paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of life in turn-of-the-century America.
ORCHESTRA:
Todd C. Gordon, Music Director/Keyboard 1
Steven Bergman & Joshua Finstein, Keyboard 2
Louis Toth, Reed 1
Heather Katz, Reed 2
Dennis Perriccio, Trumpet
Rick Copeland, Trombone
William Buonocore, Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo
Desiree Glazier, Percussion
Sponsored by:
Media Partner:
Book by Terrence McNally
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Based on the novel, Ragtime, by E. L. Doctorow
April 30 - May 28, 2006
Directed by Rick Lombardo**
Musical direction, Todd C. Gordon
Choreography, Kelli Edwards
Janie E. Howland, scenic design
Frances Nelson McSherry & Molly Trainer, costume design
Franklin Meissner, Jr., lighting design
Rick Lombardo, sound design
Dorian Des Lauriers, projection design
Erik D. Diaz, properties design
Cheryl D. Olszowka*, production stage manager
Carola Morrone*, assistant stage manager
Time: Early 20th century
Place: New York
CAST (in alphabetical order)
Jack F. Agnew: Grandfather, Judge, Ensemble
June Baboian*: Emma Goldman, Ensemble
Leigh Barrett*: Mother
Michael Belle: Henson, Ensemble
John M. Costa: Conductor, Clerk, Newsboy, DA Whitman, Ensemble
Dee Crawford: Sarah’s Friend, Ensemble
Michele A. DeLuca: Houdini’s Mother, Welfare Official, Ensemble
Aimee Doherty: Evelyn Nesbit, Ensemble
Jennifer Ellis: Ensemble, Evelyn Nesbit understudy
Paul D. Farwell*: Admiral Peary,
Willie Conklin: Candidate, Ensemble
Frank Gayton*: Henry Ford, Ensemble
Paul Giragos: Harry Houdini, Ensemble
Christine Hamel: Brigit, Second Bureaucrat, Ensemble
Michael P. Hammond: Harry Thaw, Man, Attorney, Newsboy, Ensemble
Kenneth Harmon: Booker T. Washington, Ensemble
Peter Edmund Haydu*: Father, Ensemble
Lawrence-Matthew Jack: Lawyer, Ensemble
Jonathan Kimera: Coalhouse Walker III†
Austin Lesch: Younger Brother, Ensemble
Julie Mandel-Folly: Ensemble
Andy MacLeavey: Reporter, Policeman, Newsboy, Ensemble
Bill Molnar: JP Morgan, Jury Foreman, Policeman, Reporter, Ensemble
Karimah Saida Moreland: Ensemble
Maurice E. Parent*: Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
Ellen Peterson: Kathleen, Mrs. Whitstein, Ensemble
Sophie Rich: Little Girl
Nicholas Ryan Rowe: Ensemble, Coalhouse understudy
Robert Saoud*: Tateh, Baron Ashkenazy
Kristen Sweeney: Ensemble, Mother understudy
Stephanie Umoh: Sarah, Ensemble
Brian D. Wagner: Stanford White, Doctor, Town Bureaucrat, Reporter, Baron’s Assistant, Ensemble
Samuel A. Wartenberg: Little Boy
†Jonathan Kimera and Tamyjah Thompson will alternate in the role of Coalhouse Walker III
*member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc.
Ragtime is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY, 10019. Tel: 212-541-4684. Fax: 212-397-4684. www.mtishows.com