Ragtime February 5, 2009

ASTORIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER is pleased to announce the production of RAGTIME, a musical directed by APAC’s very own Artistic Director, Tom Wojtunik. RAGTIME will play a 3-week limited engagement at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102). Performances begin Thursday, February 5th and continue through Sunday, February 22nd.

Press are cordially invited to attend Thursday, February 5th, Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th.

This epic musical by the award-winning composer/lyricist team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once On This Island, Seussical) paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of life in turn of the century America. Based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel, Ragtime intertwines three distinct stories that poignantly illustrate history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate.

Flaherty's score is just as diverse as the Melting Pot of America that it seeks to recreate. It draws upon traditional Jewish folk sounds to color the haunting music of the immigrants, Vaudeville's outrageous style to capture the spectacle of Evelyn Nesbit, and Joplin and Jazz to invoke the enlivened spirit of Harlem.

With a book by Terrance McNally (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Master Class), this 1998 Tony award winning show for best score, book, and orchestrations, features such show stopping songs as "Getting Ready Rag," "Your Daddy's Son," "Wheels of a Dream," "Till We Reach That Day," "Back To Before," and "Make Them Hear You."

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Ragtime stars D. William Hughes (2007 Oregon Theatrical Award Winner for Best Actor as Coalhouse in Ragtime at Lakewood Theatre Company/The Civil War, Miss Saigon, Big River tours) as Coalhouse, Ricky Oliver (Mame/Titanic) as Younger Brother, Mark Gerrard ("The Comeback" HBO) as Tateh, James Andrew Walsh (Tateh in Ragtime national tour) as Father and Richard Vernon returns to APAC after playing Richard in Proof last year, as Grandfather.

The production features an award-winning time with scenic design by Michael P. Kramer (nominated for Outstanding Set Design 2008 IT Award APAC productions’ Proof and Triumph of Love), costume design by David Withrow (IT Award recipient for Bug Boy Blues), lighting design by Travis Walker and sound design by Kristyn R. Smith. Jillian Zeman is the stage manager.

Production design support, in the amount of $5025, is provided by The Edith Lutyens and Norman Bel Geddes Foundation.

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RAGTIME plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, February 22:

Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advanced and $18 at the door. Available online at www.apacny.org or by calling 866-811-4111. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Theatre Box Office, 30 minutes prior to showtime. TDF vouchers accepted.

Directions to the theatre: Take the N or W Subway to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave.
to Cresent St. (Mount Sinai Hospital is on the corner.) Walk one block South to 30th Road.

Official Website: http://www.apacny.org