RAGTIME is such an underrated piece of art. Although written in 1996 and staged for Broadway in 1998, it is almost prophetic in its reflection of the social unrest, racism and immigration sanctions prevalent in our world today. Based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, RAGTIME is as relevant today as it was when first conceived. Its timelessness is a credit to its brilliant and perceptive writing, albeit a sad commentary of our present society which has not learned from its past and has not progressed much in civility or compassion.
RAGTIME is a 1996 musical about the American experience at the turn of the 20th century with a book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty. The score is inspired by the musical styles of the period and includes marches, cakewalks, gospel and, of course, ragtime. Based on E. L. Doctorow's 1975 novel of the same name about early 20th century America, the story weaves together the disparite lives of three groups: African Americans, represented by Harlem musician Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Ben Toomer); the White upper-class of suburbia, represented by Mother (Emma Hearn), a New Rochelle matriarch; and immigrants, represented by Tateh (Trevor Berger), a Jewish immigrant from Latvia. The musical's message of acceptance and hope in the face of challenges is even more relevant today than it was two decades ago.
Theatre Aspen announced casting for the organization's 35th Anniversary Season, which includes Ragtime, Godspell, and Our Town today. This season's productions promise to bring world class theatre dramatically closer by presenting talent from Broadway, national tours, and training programs from across the country.
From Harry Houdini, to baseball, to Booker T. Washington, to the American Dream, Des Moines Playhouse's production of Ragtime covers a lot of ground - ten years to be exact. In presenting an encyclopedic glance of these ten years from 1902 - 1912, the musical, with book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty, slowly becomes a big ball of dense nostalgia with glimpses of heart every now and then. But that seems to be a bigger problem with the intent of the show to nicely wrap up ten years of history in under three hours rather than The Des Moines Playhouse's production. Yes, The Des Moines Playhouse's production (directed by John W. Viars) is grand, beautiful, heartfelt and absolutely delicious to listen to, which makes it an excellent season closer for the company as they head into their 100th season and a renovated theatre.
The Eagle Theatre has announced an incredible five-show lineup for its 2019 season, which includes; Gary, a futuristic World Premiere by celebrated local playwright Bruce Graham, the Regional Premiere of Karen Zacari?as' comedy, Native Gardens, a lavish and loving staging of the epic musical blockbuster, Ragtime, by the writers of Once On This Island, Anastasia, Rocky: The Musical, an exciting adventure-filled bluegrass musical experience entitled The Burnt Part Boys, and Dogfight, a hauntingly romantic pop musical by Pasek & Paul, composers of Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman.
Trinity Rep closes out its 2017-18 Season with the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, which was written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Under the direction of Artistic Director Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep's production examines how the musical, which is set in 1906, reflects the country's current political and social climate. Based on the celebrated 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, the musical tackles race, women's rights, immigration, and workers' rights.
The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents 'Ragtime,' Apr. 6-29, 2018. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. 'Ragtime' is sponsored by Des Moines Radio Group.
Trinity Repertory Company is proud to announce the commission of a number of new playwrights and artists, including George Brant to write the stage version of The New York Times bestseller The Prince of Providence: The Life and Times of Buddy Cianci, America's Most Notorious Mayor, Some Wiseguys, and the Feds by Mike Stanton. Trinity Rep obtained the underlying rights to the book from Stanton and subsequently commissioned Brant to create a play or musical adaptation. The resulting script will go through a series of workshops to prepare it for production on the Trinity Rep stage in a future season. Casting will be announced at a future date. The book, which came out in 2004, examines the life and notorious political story of Buddy Cianci, the two-term mayor whose corruption led to federal investigations.
The acclaimed Stepinac Theatre will present a production of 'Ragtime,' the Tony-Award winning musical based on the distinguished novel by E.L. Doctorow, as its spring musical.
BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature The Lion King, Finding Neverland, The Crucible, and more!
Trinity Repertory Company will open Karen Zacarias' Native Gardens in April. This hilarious comedy of being neighborly brings commentary on the American Dream, the racial divide, and what happens when we build fictional (and literal) fences.
"At the turn of the century, worlds will collide in America!" The Axelrod Performing Arts Center begins its inaugural season as a professional theater with Luis Salgado's beautiful new staging of Ragtime the Musical. See the video of the Axelrod company in final rehearsals below!
Trinity Repertory Company is delighted to announce Rhode Island Latino Arts's (RILA) executive director Marta V. Martinez has been invited to join the theater as an Artist-in-Residence. As an Artist-in-Residence, Martinez will advise Trinity Rep as they develop theater-based programs by and for the Latinx people of Rhode Island. Martinez will also study how Trinity Rep produces their plays, develops new work, and structures their theater education programs for young people, in the hopes of creating an independent bilingual theater company.
I had the honor of seeing the original Broadway cast of the Tony winning musical Ragtime as my very first Broadway show. So, as you can guess, I am absolutely ecstatic to see that the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center has added it to their fantastic Spring/Summer schedule. This exciting and well done incarnation, kicking off their 42nd season, is excellently directed by Matthew W. Surico running through March 24th at the adorable Oakdale venue.
Broadway lyricist Lynn Ahrens, a Neptune native who graduated from Neptune High School, is thrilled to learn that a new production of her Tony-winning show "Ragtime, The Musical" is playing four weekends in March at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) in the Deal Park section of Ocean Township, NJ.
Berkeley Playhouse continues their tenth anniversary season of professional theater for family audiences with their largest production of the season, Ragtime. A sweeping musical epic of hopes and dreams in an America facing change at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime boasts Tony Award-winning score and lyrics by the Broadway powerhouse duo, Stephen Flaherty and Lynne Ahrens (Once on This Island, Anastasia, Suessical) and a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class), based on the celebrated novel by E. L. Doctorow. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary of opening on Broadway this month, the original 1998 production was nominated for a staggering thirteen Tony Awards and fourteen Drama Desk awards.
This March, the creative team behind Ragtime on Ellis Island will be developing new use of in-ear monitoring (IEM) technology in a Sound Workshop, meant to explore its potential use for audiences in a fully realized site-specific production.
National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $25 million in grants as part of the NEA's first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $15,000 to Trinity Rep for its production of Ragtime, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow with music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. The Art Works category is the NEA's largest funding category and supports projects that focus on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and/or the strengthening of communities through the arts.
Trinity Rep's seventh annual playwriting competition for New England High School students, Write Here! Write Now!, is now accepting entries. Students are asked to compose an original ten-minute play and submit it via the online application form at www.trinityrep.com/whwn. The submission deadline is March 5, 2018.
From the volatile melting pot of New York City at the dawn of a new century, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, RAGTIME, kicking off Marriott Theatre's 2018 Season, January 24 through March 18, 2018 with a press opening yesterday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.
