Ragtime coming to Springfield, Kansas City

At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing…and anything is possible. Ragtime returns to the road in an all-new touring production that Bloomberg News hails as “explosive, thrilling and nothing short of a masterpiece.”

Set in turn-of-the-century New York, Ragtime tells the stories of Coalhouse Walker, Jr., a daring young Harlem musician, Mother, the matriarch of a white, upper-class family in New Rochelle, NY, and Tateh, a determined Jewish immigrant from Latvia. All three are united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. 

Their compelling stories are set to theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lyn Ahrens. The Associated Press, commenting on the musical, said, “Surely there are not many opening numbers better than the intoxicating first moments of Ragtime.”

The 13-time Tony Award-nominated musical comes to Springfield’s Hammons Hall, May 10-12, and to Kansas City’s Kauffman Center, May 17-22. The musical is based on E.L. Doctorow’s best-selling 1975 novel.

Ragtime features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and is based on E. L. Doctorow’s best-selling 1975 novel. Tony-nominated Director & Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge will helm the production. Scenic Design by Kevin Depinet, Lighting Design by Mike Baldassari and Sound Design by Craig Cassidy.

 “Ragtime makes a deep emotional connection with the audience,” says Backstage.

Director/Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge was nominated for a Tony Award in 2010 for her revival version of the musical, which is currently touring.

Starring roles: Chris Sams as Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Kate Turner as Mother and Matthew Curiano as Tateh. Other historical figures appearing in the story include: Harry Houdini, J. P. Morgan and Henry Ford.

“This musical is a timeless celebration of life, with story themes of immigration and racial relations that makes it as relevant today as it ever was,” Dodge said. 

Ragtime, E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel, won the National Book Critics Circle award and sold 4.5 million copies. It became a film in 1981 and a Broadway musical in 1998. The original 1998 production ran on Broadway for 834 performances. A 2009 Broadway revival received rapturous reviews and is now on tour throughout North America. 

The 2015/2016 national tour of Ragtime – produced by Phoenix Entertainment – kicked-off its 91-city run on Oct. 22 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Gainesville, Florida. The tour concludes June 12 at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.

The soundtrack includes marches, cakewalks, gospel and ragtime. The scenic design is by Kevin Depinet, lighting design by Mike Baldassari and sound design by Craig Cassidy.

Ragtime takes place at the dawn of the 20th century, and because of this historical context some of the material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Springfield: Ragtime comes to Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield for three performances only May 10-12. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $53, and are available online at www.HammonsHall.com, by calling (417) 836-7678 or in person at the Hammons Hall Box Office. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (417) 836-8468.

Kansas City: There will be eight performances of Ragtime in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, May 17-22. Tickets are $30 to $95, and are available online at www.kauffmancenter.org, by phone at (816) 994-7222, or in person at the Kauffman Center box office, 1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO.

For more information about Ragtime, visit www.ragtimeontour.com.

The Gayly – May 4, 2016 @ 2:40 p.m.