RAGTIME Returns to Town Hall Theater, Begin. 1/22

It's become a great Middlebury tradition: the combined forces of Town Hall Theater and the Middlebury College Department of Music presenting a major Broadway musical every January.

This year it's Ragtime, the epic story of turn-of-the-century America based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow. Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Score, it's a stunning portrait of a young nation on the rise, and the triumphs and trials of the many cultures who came together in the "melting pot", seeking freedom and justice.

Douglas Anderson directs, with Carol Christensen as musical director. This year the orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Emmanuel Plasson, musical director for the opera company of Middlebury.

Over 50 Middlebury College students are involved, working side-by-side with people from the community. "These Winter Term shows are a great crossing place, where talented students and talented people from the community get to work together on a big creative project. The interaction is a wonderful thing."

Ragtime will be performed at Town Hall Theater Thursday, January 22, Friday, January 23rd and Monday, January 26 at 8pm. There is a 2pm matinee Saturday, January 24. The final dress rehearsal on Wednesday, January 21 at 8 pm is also open to the public for a $5 donation with cash or check. All other tickets may be purchased at www.middlebury.edu/arts/tickets or by calling the Middlebury College box office at 443-6433.