Contra Costa Civic Theatre Presents RAGTIME This Summer!

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) today announced the cast for its season finale, Ragtime, directed by CCCT Artistic Director Marilyn Langbehn, with music direction by Tania Johnson and choreography by Allison Paraiso. Ragtime, with a Tony award-winning book and score by Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, plays CCCT's Main Stage beginning June 15 through July 22. For tickets and information visit the theatre's website at www.ccct.org or call 510.524.9012.

The production features LaMont Ridgell as Coalhouse, Robin Murray as Sarah, Maria Mihkeyenko as Mother, and Sterling Liška as Tateh. Others in the cast include Ron Pickett as Father, Tom Flynn as Grandfather, Ben Knoll as Younger Brother, Isaiah Johnson as Little Boy, Chris Poston as Booker T. Washington, Umi Grant as Harlem Man, Pam Drummer-Williams as Sarah's Friend, Ariana Cohen as Harlem Woman, Jennifer Rodway as Emma Goldman, Annika Bergman as Evelyn Nesbit, Rob Lewis as Harry Houdini, Sophia Gilbert as Little Girl, and Clio Salzer as the Skater. The design team includes scenic designer Stewart Lyle, costume designer Lisa Danz, lighting designer Courtney Johnson, sound designer Simon Liu, and props designer Devon LaBelle.

It's the turn-of-the-century and anything is possible. Based on E.L. Doctorow's landmark novel, Ragtime weaves together three American stories-a determined Jewish immigrant, a daring Harlem musician, and a stifled woman of privilege-united by their courage, compassion, and belief in a better tomorrow.

"The sweep of history is only recognizable in hindsight, and often obscures the stories of the people who live through it," says director Marilyn Langbehn, "We're approaching this extraordinary piece as a chamber work with an ensemble of 16, stripping away the pomp to let McNally's richly drawn characters and Ahrens and Flaherty's glorious music show us what it means to claim your place in the world when everything seems to be changing at once."

Single tickets for Ragtime range from $15 to $36, with discounts available for groups of 15 or more. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. All performances take place at CCCT's intimate and fully accessible theatre in the Flynn building located at 951 Pomona Avenue (cross street Moeser) in El Cerrito. Free parking is available in the adjoining lot. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ccct.org or by phone at 510.524.9012.

ABOUT CONTRA COSTA CIVIC THEATRE

Contra Costa Civic Theatre, established in 1959 by Louis and Bettianne Flynn and a group of dedicated volunteers and now under the artistic direction of Marilyn Langbehn, is a non-profit community theatre with its permanent home in El Cerrito, CA. Our mission is to provide affordable, high-quality entertainment to residents throughout the East Bay and provide training in performing arts for children and adults. We are proud to be an independent, self-sufficient organization presenting five Main Stage and thirteen youth productions annually in our intimate two hundred-seat theatre.