E.L. Doctorow News

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.

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.

Based on E.L. Doctorow's novel, Ragtime tells the story of how the lives of three different families intersect in 1902 New York. Addressing issues of race, immigration, and injustice, Ragtime is more relevant than ever - mirroring the tenor of our country in 2018. With one of the most beautiful scores written for musical theatre, the show is an absolute must see.

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 on Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Featuring a powerful score by the Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and book by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, RAGTIME is a sweeping musical portrait of America. Seven-time Jeff Award winner Nick Bowling (The Bridges of Madison County, Man of La Mancha, The King and I) returns to Marriott Theatre to direct, with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson.

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 on Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

Trinity Rep is pleased to announce that its 2017 collection of donations for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank surpassed its previous record, raising a total of $65,395.21. Since 2006, Trinity Rep has collected donations from audience members during its annual production of A Christmas Carol. This tradition is part of the theater's commitment to its community and a reminder to audiences to bring the spirit of Dickens' story into their lives and the rest of Rhode Island. This year's collection brings the total raised over the past twelve years to over $450,000.

I have seen Ragtime the Musical a half dozen times since it premiered in LA in 1997 prior to Broadway and...have never tired of it. Why? First, its simply gorgeous almost opera-like musical score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens moves me to tears. Secondly, it presents elements of pop culture mixed in with the meaningful historical content of America at the turn of the 20th century, making it the most relevant show in the last 25 years. Now by means of Candlelight's revival production, onstage in Claremont through February 24, Ragtime continues to enlighten and enchant simultaneously.

Trinity Repertory Company will open the heartwarming new comedy Into the Breeches! this month. Set in 1942 Providence, the play follows the women of the fictional Oberon Playhouse, who endeavor to continue with their Shakespearean production even though the company's men (including their director) are fighting overseas in World War II. The women's dedication to each other and the theater is a delightful celebration of art and community.

Trinity Repertory Company will open William Shakespeare's Othello in February. This production continues Trinity Rep's long tradition of generating productions of Shakespearean plays that are relevant and accessible to adult and student audiences throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Under the direction of Brown/Trinity Rep MFA alumna Whitney White '15, the powerful play will explore military themes, as well as the friendships and relationships that form the basis for the legendary story of betrayal and jealousy. The play runs approximately two hours and 20 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Othello runs February 15 through March 18, with press opening on Monday, February 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $25. More information can be found at www.trinityrep.com/othello.

Trinity Repertory Company invites the public to nominate outstanding local artists for the 2018 Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts. The Pell Awards' criteria include excellence in the artist's chosen field, work that significantly advances the art form, and contribution to the betterment of the community and the world at large through artistic presence and community service. Awards will be presented at the theater's gala event on Monday, May 21, 2018.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) has spent the past 50 years serving the Houston community from our first performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre to the more than 300 productions TUTS has staged at Miller, The Music Hall, and now at the Hobby Center. With our 50th Season, we will build upon the legacy, of our founder, Frank M. Young, and confidently step forward into the next 50 years!

Auditions for the Tony-nominated musical 'Ragtime' will be held at the Des Moines Playhouse at 6:30 PM on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018. All auditions are open to the public; no one is pre-cast. Those auditioning must bring a prepared solo; an accompanist will be provided as well as the ability to play a track from an iPhone or similar device. Questions about auditions should be directed to Robin Spahr, 515-974-5365.

The Florida Children's Theatre raises their voices, taking on Ahrens and Flaherty's most complex score, 'RAGTIME'. Teaming up, this time around, to lead this production are the powerhouse directing duo of Sean Cutler & Darius J. Manuel. Both of these fiery and thought-provoking directors are the most recent BroadwayWorld Award winners for 'Best Director of a Musical' for their work at the Florida Children's Theatre: Sean Cutler for 'Sweeney Todd' in 2015 and Darius J. Manuel for 'Carrie the Musical' in 2016, which also won him the Best Choreographer Award and Best Musical for the company! With both of their energies and visions spearheading this project, it is bound to resonate deep in our souls and ring throughout the community.

It is always a thrill when you discover a hidden gem in your own backyard. This was the experience I had last night attending my first show by the Connecticut Theatre Company in New Britain, Connecticut. It is appropriate that my first review for this company would be for RAGTIME, the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical (with book by Terrence McNally) that includes a variety of themes including a focus on new experiences, changes in perspective, and listening to new music . I am thrilled to report that CTC's RAGTIME is a powerful and high-quality telling of the classic E.L. Doctorow tale. It hits all the right notes (literally and figuratively) and may be one of the best ensemble casts I have seen on a community theatre stage in Connecticut.

Trinity Repertory Company will open the heartwarming new comedy Into the Breeches! this month. Set in 1942 Providence, the play follows the women of the fictional Oberon Playhouse, who endeavor to continue with their Shakespearean production even though the company's men (including their director) are fighting overseas in World War II. The women's dedication to each other and the theater is a delightful celebration of art and community.

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. Featuring a powerful score by the Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and book by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, RAGTIME is a sweeping musical portrait of America. Seven-time Jeff Award winner Nick Bowling (The Bridges of Madison County, Man of La Mancha, The King and I) returns to Marriott Theatre to direct, with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson.

Asolo Rep proudly announces its 2017-18 IllumiNation Series, promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community. Held during select Wednesday and Saturday performances throughout the 2017-18 season, IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a free and open-to-the-public community conversation where audience members can further explore the topical and social issues that they have just seen played out on stage. Five-play and three-play ticket packages are available for the series.

Asolo Rep proudly announces its 2017-18 IllumiNation Series, promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community. Held during select Wednesday and Saturday performances throughout the 2017-18 season, IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a free and open-to-the-public community conversation where audience members can further explore the topical and social issues that they have just seen played out on stage. Five-play and three-play ticket packages are available for the series.