Photo Flash: First Look at Hillbarn Theatre's RAGTIME, Opening 8/30

Based on E.L. Doctrow's classic novel, the lives of three families come together as they experience the joys and the pains of turn-of-the-century life from the upper-class of New Rochelle, the African America population in Harlem, and the immigrants coming from Ellis Island. Ragtime is written by Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), who are know for the hit musicals Sussical and Once on This Island, and features a book by Terrence McNally (author of Hillbarn's hit play Master Class). Ragtime won three Tony awards for its sweeping story of what it is to be an American.

Hillbarn's cast of Ragtime features Annmarie Martin* as Mother, David Martin as Father, Steven Ennis as Younger Brother, C.J. Blankenship* as Coalhouse Walker, Leslie Ivy as Sarah, Tyler Bennett as Tateh, plus an ensemble of 46 actors from around the Bay Area. Performers with * are members of Actor's Equity.

Lee Foster directs the production, with music direction by Greg Sudmeier, Deborah Lambert as Assistant Music Director, choreography by Jayne Zabanr, and fight choreography by Durand Garcia. This is a co-production of Notre Dame de Namur University.

Performances are Thursday - Saturday 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Hillbarn Theatre is location at 1285 East Hillsdale Blvd in Foster City. For tickets and information, call 650-349-6411 or visit www.HillbarnTheatre.org.

David Martin, Annmarie Martin and Tyler Bennett

C.J. Blankenship and Leslie Ivy

Tyler Bennett and Alyssa Sims