Theater Latté Da opens Season 19 with McNally, Flaherty, and Ahrens’ epic, provocative musical RAGTIME
/August 18, 2016
Contact: Seena Hodges seena@latteda.org 612-767-5646 office
Theater Latté Da opens Season 19 with McNally, Flaherty, and Ahrens’ epic, provocative musical RAGTIME
Based on E.L. Doctorow’s gripping novel, RAGTIME follows the lives of three American families through the promise-filled and volatile early 20th century.
RAGTIME features Sasha Andreev as Tateh, David Murray as Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Britta Ollmann as Mother, and Traci Allen Shannon as Sarah.
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Performances begin September 21 at the Ritz Theater. Single tickets and season subscriptions are on sale now at latteda.org or 612-339-3003.
(Minneapolis/St. Paul) Theater Latté Da today announced casting for the epic, provocative musical RAGTIME. Nominated for 13 Tony Awards and winner of Best Book and Best Score, this deeply moving musical features a compelling book by Terrence McNally, and a glorious score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Theater Latté Da Artistic Director Peter Rothstein will direct with Resident Music Director Denise Prosek serving as music director. Performances begin September 21 at the Ritz Theater (345 13th Avenue NE in Minneapolis). Single tickets and full season subscriptions can be purchased at latteda.org or by calling 612-339-3003.
It’s the turn-of-the century, everything is changing and anything is possible. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s landmark novel, RAGTIME follows the lives of three American families and their communities through the promise-filled early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of the volatile melting pot of New York City, the musical weaves together three distinct American stories—a determined Jewish immigrant father, a daring Harlem musician, and a stifled woman of privilege—united by their courage, compassion, and belief in a better tomorrow. Together they confront what it means to be an American at the dawn of a new century.
On the musical Rothstein offers, “Ragtime is as relevant as ever in its provocative explanation of race, class, gender, and immigration. This musical goes right to the heart of how we define ourselves as a nation in terms of who we are and what we wish to become.” He continues, “Doctorow’s poignant story is enhanced by Ahrens and Flaherty’s glorious score—one of the most sophisticated and lush in all of musical theater.”
Rothstein has assembled a dynamic, pitch-perfect cast to bring to life the stories of three families from different ethnic and economic strata. Several Theater Latté Da favorites, and some exciting new faces, are set to appear in this vibrant musical. The production features Sasha Andreev (Theater Latté Da: Steerage Song) as the entrepreneurial widower Tateh; Debra Berger in her Theater Latté Da debut as the rabble-rousing Emma Goldman; Daniel Hines in his Theater Latté Da debut as the rigid Father; Emily Jansen (Theater Latté Da: GYPSY) as the Vaudeville star Evelyn Nesbit; Riley McNutt (Theater Latté Da: ALL IS CALM) as the impassioned trailblazer Younger Brother; David Murray in his Theater Latté Da debut as the daring Coalhouse Walker; Britta Ollmann (Theater Latté Da: Violet, Into the Woods) as the kindhearted Mother; James Ramlet (Theater Latté Da: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, ALL IS CALM, and C. ) as the no-nonsense Grandfather; Andre Shoals (Theater Latté Da: AIDA) as the lauded historical figure Booker T. Washington; and Traci Allen Shannon in her Theater Latté Da debut as the determined young mother Sarah. Soren Miller and Georgia Blando make their Theater Latté Da debuts as Little Boy and Little Girl, respectively.
RAGTIME also features choreography by Kelli Foster Warder, costume design by Trevor Bowen, scenic design by Michael Hoover, and lighting design by Mary Shabatura.
Theater Latté Da is an award-winning Twin Cities musical theater company that combines music and story to illuminate the breadth and depth of the human experience. The company seeks to create new connections between story, music, artists, and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater. latteda.org
FACT SHEET:
RAGTIME
Book by Terrence McNally Music by Stephen Flaherty Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Based on the novel “Ragtime” by E. L. Doctorow Directed by Peter Rothstein Music Direction by Denise Prosek Choreography by Kelli Foster Warder
Featuring: Sasha Andreev, Debra Berger, Daniel Hines, Emily Jansen, Riley McNutt, David Murray, Britta Ollmann, James Ramlet, Andre Shoals, Traci Allen Shannon, Soren Miller, and Georgia Blando.
Dates: Wednesday, September 21 – Sunday, October 23, 2016
Venue: Ritz Theater (345 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis MN 55413)
It's the turn-of-the-century, everything is changing and anything is possible. Based on E.L. Doctorow's landmark novel, Ragtime is set in the volatile melting pot of New York City. Three distinct American stories are woven together—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. Together they confront what it means to be an American at the dawn of a new century. With a compelling book by Terrence McNally and a glorious score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Ragtime was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and was awarded Best Book and Best Score.
Performance Dates and Times:
Wednesday, September 21 at 7:30 PM (Preview)
Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 PM (Preview)
Friday, September 23 at 7:30 PM (Preview)
Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 PM (Opening Night)
Sunday, September 25 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Wednesday, September 28 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Thursday, September 29 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, September 30 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Sunday, October 2 at 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Thursday, October 6 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion; ASL/AD)
Friday, October 7 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 8 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 9 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Sunday, October 9 at 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 12 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, October 14 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 16 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Sunday, October 16 at 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 19 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, October 21 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 23 at 2:00 PM
Sunday, October 23 at 7:00 PM
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