Three families’ lives collide at the dawn of the 20th century.
Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, this musical tapestry depicts an African-American family, a Jewish immigrant family, and a wealthy white suburban family in turn-of-the-century America, who collide in pursuit of the American Dream. Nominated for 13 Tony Awards® including “Best Musical,” and winning for “Best Original Score” and “Best Book of a Musical,” Ragtime is a powerful portrait of life during the turn-of-the-century, exploring America’s timeless contradictions of freedom and prejudice, wealth and poverty, hope and despair.
Director
PAUL DAVID BRYANT
Music Director
BRIAN KENNEDY
Honorary Producer
MARI HOOPER
Associate Producers
JON & AMANDA HALL
Youth Performance Underwriters
DON BLACK & JUDY McNULTY BLACK
RON & SYLVIA HARTMAN
EDWARD PARKER
Book
TERRENCE MCNALLY
Composer
STEPHEN FLAHERTY
Lyrics
LYNN AHRENS
Running Time
APPROXIMATELY
2 HOURS, 30 MINUTES
Synopsis: The lives of three families intertwine at the beginning of the 20th century. Life in America is changing. Ragtime tells of the experience of immigrants, African-Americans, and a wealthy family in the suburbs of New York. Social and racial conflicts rise to the surface as the lives of the characters become intertwined.
Theme: A changing world requires each group to adapt to a new way of life. Despite their differences, the characters’ lives become intertwined and display the changing world that America is becoming.
Language: Racial slurs used to describe African-Americans by white men in multiple scenes.
Smoking, Drinking, and Gambling: Some references
Violence: Fight scene at a train station, where a gun is fired. Hate crimes are inferred. A character is killed. Violence to seek justice is depicted. A character is shot.
For Which Audiences? Recommended for 6 th grade and higher due to material and violence.
Rating: If this was a movie, it would be rated PG-13.
Cast & Crew
Brittany is thrilled to be making her MTW debut in Ragtime! She is from Southern California and received her B.A. in Music from The Master’s University. Stage: Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Fruma-Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof, Charlene in Dreamgirls (Cupcake Theater), Medda Larkin in Newsies (SVCAC), and most recently Mrs. Britt in The Music Man (5-Star Theatricals). TV: “Josh Groban: Stages Live” (PBS). Brittany thanks her family and friends for their encouragement and support, and the creative team for this opportunity (1 Cor. 10:31)!
Malakai is honored to be making his Musical Theatre West debut in Ragtime! Past favorite stage credits include Michael Hobbs in Elf, Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Herbert in Junie B. Jones, Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Michael Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins. Malakai would like to thank his agents, voice teacher and his family for their faith and support.
Jessica recently took a break from the stage to serve as the Disney Ambassador, the official representative and spokesperson for The Disneyland Resort. She is thrilled to return to MTW in one of her dream roles, especially after becoming a new mother last year! Favorite credits include Mary-Mary Poppins (Moonlight, nominated for San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Best Actress), Book of Mormon in concert w/Josh Gad (Geffen Playhouse), Martha-1776 (MTW), Eliza-My Fair Lady (Candlelight, Santa Barbara Symphony), Sarah Brown-Guys and Dolls (Cabrillo, Riverside, Candlelight), Elizabeth-Young Frankenstein (Moonlight), Beggar Woman-Sweeney Todd (Moonlight), Jellylorum-CATS (Cabrillo), Miss Dorothy-Thoroughly Modern Millie (Candlelight), Pocahontas-Mickey and the Magical Map (Disneyland Original Cast). Many thanks to the incredible cast and crew, and much love to Jeremy and Eliza!
Dedrick is thrilled to be back home with Musical Theatre West! Regional: Something Rotten (Musical Theatre Wast); Ragtime (Pasadena Playhouse); Spamilton (Center Theatre Group); Sister Act (Cabrillo); Little Shop of Horrors (Glendale Center Theatre); The Christians (Center Theatre Group) Ain’t Misbehavin (ICT Long Beach); Tarzan (West Coast Premiere). National Tour: Dreamgirls; Little Shop of Horrors. TV: “The Preachers” FOX 11, recurring. Film: “Holiday Rush” (Netflix Original) “You Can’t Fight Christmas” (TV One Original); “Mega Church Murder” (Lifetime). Background Vocalist: Carole King, Kristen Chenoweth, Natalie Cole, Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, Ryan Gosling, Shoshana Bean. Thank you to the amazing cast and crew for sharing the power of storing telling through song and dance!
Terron is proud to make his Musical Theatre West debut in Ragtime. Broadway: (Simba) in Disney’s The Lion King, (Seaweed) in Hairspray. Ovation Award nominee for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for “Daddy Brubeck” in Sweet Charity at Reprise 2.0 2x NAACP Award nominee-supporting actor. Best remembered for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Eddie Kendricks in the Emmy Award winning NBC mini-series “The Temptations.” Star and co-creator of The Soul of Broadway, new record available on iTunes. Special thanks to the Ragtime creative team, KMR, and family for the support to play one of his favorites roles.
Tym, a Milwaukee native is pleased to be working with MTW. This AMDA graduate, has an astonishing list of performance credits including stage, touring shows, film, television and music. Some of his collaborators: 3DT, DOMA, Open Fist, The Detroit Nights and Jazz Mafia. Tym is also the co-writer of an original musical, Reunion Of The Bells. When in doubt, Choose Joy. @tymcb
Adon is a four year old just beginning his entertainment journey. He has done print for Old Navy and Levi's. Adon has filmed one commercial with C-Spire and is reprising the role he performed in Pasadena Playhouse's production of Ragtime. Adon is a loving, energetic, intellectual, charismatic child. He loves learning, dancing, singing, and loves people.
Quintan is honored to be back home for his 13th show with MTW! Recent regional credits include: 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor/3DT), Something Rotten! (Ensemble/MTW), Grease (Sonny/Studio Tenn). He can be seen as everyone’s favorite reindeer in Frozen: Live at the Hyperion at the Disneyland Resort. Quintan’s voice can be heard on MTI’s recordings of Newsies (Romeo, Jack cover) and Chicago (Billy Flynn). Many thanks to the whole Ragtime team! For Mary Ritenhour @quintan_craig
Bryan is happy to be back on the MTW Mainstage! Previously at MTW: Elf (Santa), Yankee Doodle Dandy (Old Lou) and Evita. Reiner Reading Series: The Most Happy Fella, Do Re Mi, Follies, Amour, She Loves Me and Lil' Abner. European/National Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, Man of La Mancha. Numerous regional appearances, most recently at Geffen Playhouse in Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole (Producer), Proud member of Actors Equity.
Elizabeth is happy to return to MTW having previously performed here in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Arista), Mary Poppins (Miss Lark), My Fair Lady & Les Miserables. Other credits include Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins (Glendale Center Theatre), Sister Act, Little Mermaid, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Performance Riverside), Company (Cabrillo Music Theatre) and Les Miserables (La Mirada Theatre). Film/Television: Jersey Boys, Caretakers and Rake. Elizabeth sends love to the cast/crew, Nick, her family & FSE! Follow along: @princesslizzie www.elizabeth-eden.com
Lance is ecstatic to be returning to MTW with Ragtime. National Tours: Evita (Che) Regional: Scarlet Pimpernel (Sir Perceval),The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (King Louis XI) at La Mirada, Singin’ in the Rain (The Production Tenor), Sweeney Todd (Pirelli) Bonnie and Clyde (Clyde), Assassins (Zangara). Lance is also a songwriter, with music on all streaming platforms as well as a private voice instructor. Lance would love to thank The Lord, as well as his dear friends, family, cast and crew for all of the amazing support. Matthew 19:26. www.lancegalgon.com, @LGalgon
National tours:1st National tour of Bright Star ( Dr. Norquist / u/s Mayor Dobbs /u/s Daddy Murphy) ,42nd Street (Julian Marsh), The Music Man (Charlie Cowell/Harold Hill), H.M.S. Pinafore (Dick Deadeye), The Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King). Regional: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe); Kiss Me, Kate(Pasadena Playhouse); Side Show (La Jolla Playhouse, dir. Bill Condon); Parade, Man of La Mancha (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award nom.);Once,The Producers, Evita, Footloose, Ring of Fire. TV/film: NBC's The Office, Journeyman, Spud, The Thin Line. Thanks to Anthony Boyer and the DDO artist Agency!
Summer is so very excited and humbled to be making her MTW debut with Ragtime! She has starred in a wide array of productions like Sister Act, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Big River, etc. She was recently a member of Mt. San Antonio College’s world-renown Chamber Singers and their Downbeat Award-winning vocal jazz group, Singcopation. She can currently be spotted in a number of musical productions as a vocalist at the Disneyland Resort. Summer is eternally grateful to her friends and family for their unending support!
Amaris is grateful everyday for the gift of storytelling, and she is so pleased to be apart of this powerful and important telling of Ragtime! Amaris is equally as excited to share it with this wonderful cast, her supportive family and friends, and beautiful audience! Her Previous stage credits include, Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Pseudolus), and American Idiot (Whatsername). @mynameisamariss
Michael Scott is thrilled to be a part of this powerful and important story. Recently he stared in the world premiere of Shooting Star at The Hudson Theater in Hollywood. Other recent performances include The Sound of Music (Capt. von Trapp) and Peter Pan (Capt. Hook) with the Anchorage Concert Assn., South Pacific (Emile de Becque) with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Candlelight Pavilion, and Mary Poppins (George Banks) with 5 Star Theatricals. Broadway National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera (Piangi). Off Broadway with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players: The Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), The Mikado (Nanki-Poo), H.M.S. Pinafore (Ralph), among many others. For more info visit: www.michaelscottharris.com
Hannah Rose, a California native, is thrilled to be making her Musical Theater West debut. As a young soprano of the opera world, her experiences have taken her across the country, but she is elated to have her theater debut here in her home. She attended Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory where she played the title role in Suor Angelica. As a fellow at Music Academy of the West, she played Gianetta in L’elisir D’amore and won the Marilyn Horne Song Competition. Most recently she was a district winner of the 2019 National Council Auditions.
Frank has appeared in Porgy & Bess (Sportin Life) , Until, Until...Until (Ben Vereen), Hair (Berger), RENT, The Who's Tommy, Freeze Frame with Debbie Allen, Mamma Mia with Jennifer Nettles, Songs From An Unmade Bed, Summer of Love at MTW and Marilyn! at Paris Las Vegas (Charlie). Frank is a 2018 recipient of Ovation and NAACP Awards for When Jazz Had The Blues (Billy Strayhorn) and is the voice of R-Truth in Seth Green's animated series “Camp WWE”.
Antoine is grateful to be returning to MTW and thrilled you’ve decided to come to the theatre. Regional: Oliver, Something Rotten, Disney’s The Little Mermaid at MTW, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, Marry Poppins ,West Side Story, and The Watsons Go to Birmingham. Antoine has also worked with Dallas Black Dance Theatre and the Merce Cunningham Repertory Understudy Group. Thank you to my Family for making it all possible and thank you for supporting live theatre. IG: @AntoineIsHereForYou
Destiny is truly beside herself with excitement to be making her MTW debut. When asked if there were only one show she could do for the rest of her life it would be Ragtime! because the score is timeless and history must never be forgotten. Regional : Ragtime (Cabrillo, FCLO), Brenda-Smokey Joe’s Café (Performance Riverside, Candlelight Pavilion), Tina Turner-Vegas! The Show (Planet Hollywood). Destiny would like to thank Paul and Brian for taking a chance on her…again!
National Tour: The Little Mermaid (Ursula), Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby. Regional: Young Frankenstein (Frau Blucher-Ovation Award), Once Upon a Mattress (Queen Aggravain-Ovation nom.) All Shook Up (Sandra-Ovation nom.), Hairspray (Velma-Ovation nom.) Boeing-Boeing (Berthe-Desert Theatre League Award), Chicago (Velma-AriZoni Award), Gentleman’s Guide…, Secret Garden, Sister Act, Beauty and the Beast, Side Show, Music Man, Catch Me if You Can, 42nd Street, Producers, Full Monty, Will Rogers Follies, Anything Goes, Crazy for You, Guys & Dolls, Me & My Girl, Drowsy Chaperone, Carousel, Betty Blue Eyes, Little Night Music, Cinderella, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Noises Off, Company, Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods.
Carolyn is delighted to make her MTW debut in Ragtime! Regional credits include: South Pacific with McCoy/Rigby at La Mirada, Matilda and Joseph and the Amazing… with 5-Star Theatricals, Titanic at Candlelight Pavilion, Kiss Me Kate with the Marina Del Rey Philharmonic, My Fair Lady at the Welk Resort Theatre, and The Scarlet Pimpernel with Contempo Productions. She holds degrees from Oklahoma City University (M.M) and Pepperdine University (B.A). @carolynlupin
MTW debut! Nat'l tours: Magaldi in Evita Regional: Tony in West Side Story (Performance Riverside), Davey in Newsies (Theatre Royale), Quasimodo u/s in Hunchback of Notre Dame (Moonlight Amphitheater), Warner in Legally Blonde (Candlelight Pavilion), Curly in Oklahoma! (GraceArts Live), Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods (Lewis Family Playhouse), Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (Performance Riverside), Freddy in My Fair Lady (Plan-B Entertainment). Currently Flynn Rider in Mickey & the Magical Map at Disneyland, swing in Frozen: Live at the Hyperion at Disneyland's California Adventure. BFA Musical theatre from AMDA Los Angeles. Love and thanks to family, friends, and MTW! @Mattytoddvitus
Garrett is thrilled to be part of this production. He is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and has been seen around Southern California in 1776 as Edward Rutledge (Cabrillo Music Theater), Billy Nolan in Carrie (La Mirada theater), The Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Musical Theater West) and Timmy in Hand to God (San Diego Rep), Kristoff in Frozen! Live at the Hyperion (California Adventure) Jimmy in the Unauthorized musical parody of A League of Their Own (Rockwell Table and Stage) as well as performing in various improv troupes and burlesque companies. Garrett would like to thank his mother, agents, friends and family for their tireless support, his girlfriend Sarah for her love, Batman for teaching him never to quit, and you for supporting the arts.
MTW debut! BFA in acting, USC. Thank you to Michael Joseph and Joe Anthony. For Mom & Dad. matthewjmcfarland.com
Gary is an award-winning actor and screenwriter. Select Theatre credits: Ragtime (3-D Theatricals-Ovation Award Nomination), Plunge (SOSE-Stage Raw Nomination), The Immigrant (Pico Playhouse-Ovation Award Nomination), AWAKE AND SING (Odyssey), Hello Dolly! (3-D Theatricals), Soul-Doctor (Lincoln Center), Var Plays (La Jolla), I Do, I Do (Berkshire Theatre Festival). Select Film/TV credits: “Modern Family,” “Burning Dog,” “Undercovers,” Ira Whipple on “Law & Order: CI.” Gary is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, Actors’ Equity, and SAGAFTRA. He is a graduate of NYU and was a 2019 finalist for the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting.
Barry is best known for his portrayal of Doody in Paramount’s iconic hit film, “Grease”. B’way: Oliver!, A Teaspoon Every Four Hours, Lenny’s Back, The Producers, Baby It’s You! Regional/Tours: Grease, Cheers Live On Stage, Twelve Angry Men, Hairspray (MTW), ALL SHOOK UP (MTW), Happy Days. TV: “Grease Live!”, “House”, “Criminal Minds”, “Days Of Our Lives”, “ER”. Film:“My Favorite Martian”, “Avenging Angel”, “The Newest Pledge”, and recently “The Silent Natural”. Barry produces, directs, and teaches film arts to the special needs community across the country with Joey Travolta‘s Inclusion Film Company. FB/IG: @barry_pearl_la. Cindy and Gracie, IAY!
Monica is thrilled to be making her Musical Theatre West debut! She was most recently seen as Sleeping Beauty in Into the Woods (The Hollywood Bowl), The Acrobat in Matilda the Musical (5 Star Theatricals) and in an original workshop at A Noise Within. In her free time, she enjoys vintage fashion design, poetry, and waltzing down the streets of Disneyland. She would like to thank her family, friends and agent Anthony Boyer (DDO) for their incredible support! | www.monicaricketts.com | IG: @monicadanae
Maya is thrilled to be making her MTW debut! Her recent roles include Lucy Mc Fadden in The Goodbye Girl (Musical Theatre Guild), Rhoda Penmark in Bad Seed (Westminster Playhouse), Ngana in South Pacific (Attic Theater) and ensemble cast of Secret Garden (Rose Center Theater). Maya also performs as a singer/soloist (rock, pop, country, national anthem) at various events (ie. Suzie Price’s Concert in the Park, 3rd District, LB.) Maya would like to give special thanks to Lisa Tucker at Discover Management, Lisa Picotte, Sarah Berry and Kyle Becker as well as her loving family!
Adam is overjoyed to join the cast of Ragtime! He was last seen here at the Carpenter Center in White Christmas, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and Holiday Inn. A North Carolina native with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Carnegie Mellon, his other favorite credits include Blue Man Group, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Leaf Coneybear in Spelling Bee, and Link in Hairspray. Thanks to MTW for bringing me on board! Love to Alexa and Marzipan.
James is thrilled to be making his MTW debut! Favorite credits include Mary Poppins (National Tour), Mamma Mia! (Eddie, Sky u/s in Las Vegas and for Royal Caribbean), West Side Story (Carnegie Hall), Festival of the Lion King (Disneyland Hong Kong), Red Car Trolley Newsboys and Tale of the Lion King (Disneyland California Adventure). James can also be seen in the upcoming “Royalties” on Quibi. Proud University of Michigan graduate: GO BLUE!
Reviews
This brand new, spectacularly engrossing production bellows with an emotional fervor and is one of my favorite iterations of this musical I have seen in recent years.
Director Paul David Bryant stages the work seamlessly, simply, harmonizing the story’s harsh realities with its supernatural elements.
It also leaves us with the feeling that the future of musical theater will be safe in the hands of the youngest generation.
Powerhouse vocalists Brittany Anderson (Sarah) and Jessica Bernard (Mother) shine brightest in “Your Daddy’s Son” and “Goodbye, My Love/Journey On,” respectively. Everyone around me had chills as Anderson flexed her range, especially.... Gary Patent’s Tateh emotes with such depth, you’d think the fate of the world was at stake.
The praises I have for Musical Theatre West's ''Ragtime,'' which opened Friday in at the Carpenter Center, are numerous and indisputable.... Terron Brooks (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) a two-time NAACP Award nominee for supporting actor, brings a ferocity and heart that immediately endears you to his version of Coalhouse.