E. L. Doctorow News

Broadway's original 'Coalhouse' Brian Stokes Mitchell dropped in on Pasadena Playhouse's production of Ragtime! See photos from his visit below!

Theatre enthusiasts packed the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts last night to hear Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Executive Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reveal the lineup for the company's 50th season, which launches this summer. Kelley's 50th and final season as Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley includes triumphant returns of TheatreWorks favorites, bold premieres developed at the company's annual New Works Festival, and celebrated works from the nation's leading playwrights.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, has transformed the historic theater with an all new version of Ragtime: The Musical as it returns to Los Angeles more than two decades after its premiere at the Shubert Theatre.  With 21 actors and a 16-piece orchestra, this is one of the most ambitious productions in the Playhouse's recent history.

Eagle Theatre will open their biggest blockbuster to date on January 25th, featuring the largest company and creative team ever assembled at the regional theatre.

Eagle Theatre has officially begun rehearsal for their upcoming production of the Tony Award Winning epic masterpiece, Ragtime, under the direction of Producing Artistic Director, Ted Wioncek III.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, will transform the historic theater with an all new version of Ragtime: The Musical as it returns to Los Angeles more than two decades after its premiere at the Shubert Theatre. With 21 actors and a 16-piece orchestra, this is one of the most ambitious productions in the Playhouse's recent history.

The City of Cleveland Heights announces RAGTIME will be produced in the Alma Theater June 13-30, 2019 as part of Cain Park?s 81st season; preview is June 13 with opening night on June 14. Cain Park Theater Artistic Director Joanna May Hunkins directs RAGTIME with musical direction by Jordan Cooper.

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.

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.

"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!

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.

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.

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.

Stephen Flaherty's catchy and powerful melodies and Lynn Ahren's poignant lyrics 'It was the music of something beginning, an era exploding, a century spinning. In riches and rags, and in rhythm and rhyme. The people called it Ragtime.' can be heard at Maine's very own Ogunquit Playhouse running now until August 26th. I was lucky enough to sit down and chat with ensemble member Megan Lione to talk about how the story of Ragtime is more important than ever, as it is a piece of theatre that discusses diversity, inclusion, and love. Lione says 'The cast is incredible, all ages and backgrounds. It's really amazing.'

Stray Dog Theatre will present Ragtime: The Musical in August. Set in the volatile melting pot of New York at the turn of the century, three distinctly American tales are woven together.

Ragtime, the stirring Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty-Terrance McNally musical about American society at the turn of the 20th century - based on the E. L. Doctorow novel of the same name - premieres on the Murfreesboro stage of the Center for the Arts, directed by Rachel Jones and starring a cast of Middle Tennessee's favorite performers.