Local Student to Appear in RAGTIME National Tour in Charlotte

Andrew Gripper, a local kindergartener at First Ward Creative Arts Academy, has been cast in Charlotte's engagement of the national tour of Ragtime the Musical. Ragtime plays Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts Monday, Nov. 30, through Thursday, Dec. 3. Tickets are on sale now.

Gripper will play the role of Young Coalhouse, the son of Sarah and Coalhouse Walker Jr. His walk-on role occurs at the uplifting conclusion of the show. He is the 6-year-old son of Anthony and Melanie Gripper, of Charlotte.

Amanda Lane, drama teacher at First Ward Creative Arts Academy, expressed her excitement, "I have no doubt Andrew will be bit by the acting bug now and I will have him on my stage as soon as he is old enough for our musicals!"

"We are so happy that we could allow a local student to be a part of a national touring show here in Charlotte," said Blumenthal's Assistant Director of Education Michelle Youngs. "We hope this will not only make an impact on Andrew but can also instill an appreciation and excitement for the arts in other children in Andrew's school and around the city."

Based on the 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, Ragtime is a powerful portrait of life in turn-of-the-century America.

Set in New York City, the musical intertwines the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant, and a young Harlem musician as they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America. Winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Musical Score, this 13 time Tony Award nominated musical is a timeless celebration of life - what it could and should be!

Tickets can be purchased online at BlumenthalArts.org, by phone at 704-372-1000 or at the Belk Theater box office (130 N. Tryon St.).

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