Berkeley Playhouse Kicks Off President's Day Weekend With The Epic American Musical RAGTIME

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.

Just beyond the gaze of lady liberty, the interconnected stories of three evolving and distinct communities in New York are woven together to create a fabric that blankets a new era in the land of opportunity: a Jewish immigrant seeking a new life in America for him and his daughter is renewed by the possibilities of success; a mother from an upper-class suburban family is awakened to the idea that privilege and comfort may not be the pathway to personal fulfillment; and a gifted African-American musician, prolific in the dissonant and romantic melodies of a distinctly new musical sound call ragtime, learns that the combustible mix of love, passion and injustice can spark the wheels of change. Peppered with great historical characters from Houdini to Henry Ford to Booker T. Washington, Ragtime's Tony Award-winning score draws upon the unique sounds of the American landscape-heard from Harlem to the Lower-East-Side-to create a truly remarkable theatrical event. Berkeley Playhouse's all new production will be among one of its most ambitious to date, featuring a company of over forty-five actors and musicians from throughout the Bay Area. Performances run Friday through Sunday, and select Thursday evenings, beginning February 16, 2018. Press night will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 7pm. Tickets (ranging from $22-$40) are available by calling (510) 845-8542 x351 or by visiting online at www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

"This production of Ragtime marks a seminal moment for Berkeley Playhouse," says founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy. "We have watched our audiences mature in our ten years of producing musicals for families-and with them, we have matured as well. Our mission has always been to reflect our community through musical stories that present complex situations and diverse characters, and Ragtime raises the bar for us in many ways-not just in producing one of the largest musicals in our history, but by asking our audience in the most direct way to contemplate who are right now-as parents, neighbors, and Americans-by looking at a snapshot of who we were a century ago. It doesn't shy away from presenting era specific language and situations that makes us recognize the advances our society has made in race and community relations, gender equality-even police brutality-and yet it begs us to question the longevity of the lessons we've learned, and how we pass those lessons on to the next generation so that as a community, we continue to better ourselves. It is a musical that has grown far more immediate, and relevant, with age, and I'm thrilled to be presenting it to our audiences, many of whom have not had an opportunity to see a fully produced production, at this moment in our own history."

Adds Berkeley Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Kimberly Dooley, "One of the goals of our 10th season was to work with some of our most treasured artistic collaborators from our past and to grow our artist base so that we can bring new voices to our community. The company of Bay Area artists seen on stage and behind the scenes of this production is a dream for us. Director William Hodgson, choreographer Alex Rodriguez, set and props designer Kirsten Royston and costume designer Lisa Danz are bringing a stirring vision of early 1900s America to the Julia Morgan that never feels distant; and as portrayed by our three-dozen plus ensemble, led by musical director Daniel Feyer, it will feel as immediate as the stories that are being explored and discussed in our homes, online, and in the media about today's America."

Continuing their goals of making theater affordable for all community members, Berkeley Playhouse includes two low-cost preview performances (February 16 at 7pm; February 17 at 1pm), and offers two Pay What You Can performances, Thursday, March 1 and 8at 7pm.

ABOUT BERKELEY PLAYHOUSE: Founded in 2007 by professional theatre actor, director, and teacher for over 25 years, Elizabeth McKoy, Berkeley Playhouse's mission is to create theatre and programs that engage, ignite, and celebrate diverse Bay Area audiences through a thriving conservatory, a professional main stage season, educational outreach, and a commitment to the development of new family musicals. In support of our mission, we maintain and enhance the historic Julia Morgan Theater. A commitment to community, diversity, inclusion, and empowerment is at the heart of our work.

Previews: Friday, February 16 at 7pm, and Saturday, February 17 at 1pm.
Opens: Saturday, February 17 at 7pm.
Press: Saturday, February 17 at 7pm, and Sunday February 18 at 2pm.
Closes: March 18 at 2pm

Performances: Due to the unique performance schedule, please check the website for specific dates and times. All performances at Berkeley Playhouse at The Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704.

TICKETS: For tickets ($22 for previews, $22-$40 for regular performances) or more information, the public may call (510) 845-8542 x351 or visit berkeleyplayhouse.org. Group rates available for 10 or more people. Ticket prices are subject to change at any time.

PAY WHAT YOU CAN: There will be two "Pay What You Can" performances, Thursday March 1 and 8 at 7pm. The promotion is CASH ONLY at the door one-hour prior to performance time. We request a donation of $20 per ticket but are able to accept a minimum of $5 per ticket.

FAMILY GUIDE: Education is central to the mission at Berkeley Playhouse. Guide created by Berkeley Playhouse staff for each production have been created to enrich the learning experience of all patrons both young and seasoned. Links to the free Family Guides can be found online at BerkeleyPlayhouse.org.

Berkeley Playhouse gratefully acknowledges support from Madonna Estates Winery; City of Berkeley Civic Arts Commission, Fleishhacker Foundation, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., Peet's Coffee, Extreme Pizza, The Imagination Foundation, and individual donors.

Photo credit: Ben Krantz Studio