The Inland Master Chorale offers a concert version of “Ragtime, the Musical” at 4 pm Sunday, March 5 at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel, 1200 E. Colton Avenue, Redlands.
Ragtime is the story of three families in pursuit of the American dream at the turn of the 20th Century. Based on E.L. Doctorow's novel, the Tony Award-winning musical written by Terrence McNally, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, tells the intersecting stories of an upper-class white family, a Harlem musician, and a Jewish immigrant. Together, they confront our country's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America. Ragtime is recommended for mature audiences due to its language and depictions of racism and violence.
The performance features the 70-member chorale, soloists, a guest gospel choir, and a ragtime band. Lead characters are Grace Stewart as Mother, George Becker as Father, Zach Krug as Tateh, Steven Amie as Coalhouse Walker Jr., and Veronica Young as Sarah. Supporting roles include Nick Brailas as Younger Brother, Jennifer Sparks as Sarah’s Friend, Franklin Stuart as Willie Conklin, and Michael Hicks as Grandfather. Little Boy and Little Girl are portrayed by Theo Burke and Madelyn Tang respectively.
The musical also includes historical figures such as car-maker Henry Ford played by David Robinson, financial giant J.P. Morgan by Paul Kellerman, illusionist Harry Houdini by Jacob Hall, Vaudeville star Evelyn Nesbit by Vicki Carrigan, and social activist Emma Goldman by Dora Ridgeway.
The Chorale’s Artistic Director is Dr. Joseph Modica, Director of the School of Performing Arts and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Redlands. The Chorale’s Assistant Director is Zachary Krug, and Sophie Tait is the Chorale’s pianist.
Concert tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $10 for students and children. Children under five are not admitted. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance from Chorale members or online at www.inlandmasterchorale.org.
The Chorale’s 2022-23 season concludes with Carmina Burana on May 7, 2023.