May 2013
Performances:
May 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Terrence McNally
Directed by Darnell Morris
Music Direction by Mayumi B. Griffie
Synopsis
Based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, RAGTIME tells the story of three groups in America, represented by Coalhouse Walker Jr., a Harlem musician; Mother, the matriarch of a white upper-class family in New Rochelle, NY; and Tateh, a Latvian Jewish immigrant. Historical figures such as Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, Booker T. Washington, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Stanford White, Harry Kendall Thaw, Admiral Peary, Matthew Henson, and Emma Goldman also appear. The music includes marches, cakewalks, gospel and ragtime and is mostly sung-through.
Cast
Sharon Elizabeth Debbage Alexander (Emma) is thrilled to be returning to community theatre in her first performance with KAT. Prior productions include Godspell (ensemble) and Oklahoma! (Gertie) with Oakwood Summer Theatre in Salem, New Jersey; A Tale of Cinderella (Cinderella) and Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal) with Soldiers Theatre at the U.S. Army’s Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. She thanks her husband of almost 20 years, Nick, and her beautiful daughters Zoë and Isabel for supporting her through this production. Special thanks also to Antoinette and Jane for making it possible!
Joe Cannon (Grandfather, J.P. Morgan) is delighted to return to the KAT stage having appeared in last year’s sensational production of Jekyll & Hyde. Past favorite productions include Dear World (TACT), The Secret Garden (PGLT), Ragtime (RMT) and many memorable years singing Tenor 1 with GMCW. Many thanks to the cast and crew for a rewarding experience and to my friends and family for their love, encouragement and support.
Brad Carnes-Stine (Father) KAT debut! 25 years of credits – RMT: All Shook Up (Jim), Evita (Peron), Forever Plaid (Sparky), Joseph..Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), Meet..St. Louis (Warren); FTP: Carousel (Billy); Toby’s: Unsinkable Molly Brown (Prince DeLong), Follies (Tango Dancer), State Fair (Fairtone); Way Off Broadway: Meet..St. Louis (John); Carousel DT: My Fair Lady (Harry/Jaime u/s); Har Shalom Synagogue: Bye Bye Birdie (Albert); Oneonta Tapworks, NY: West Side Story (Tony); Renaissance Cruise Line (defunct): lead singer/dancer; Busch Gardens TP: German dancer; Old Indiana TP: lead singer/dancer
Jasmine Cole (Harlem Woman) is excited to be making her KAT debut in Ragtime! Past credits – Summer Dinner Theatre: Hairspray; ASGT: Hairspray; Theatre Lab: Rent, Side Show, Secret Garden, Sweeney Todd. You can find Jasmine this summer working as an Assistant Director for the Summer Acting Camp for Kids at Theatre Lab. Many thanks to Darnell, Mayumi, Mom, and the cast and crew!
Richard Dew (Henry Ford, Admiral Peary, Willie Conklin) is excited to be appearing onstage again after his theater debut as Mr. Eichelberger in TAP’s production of Promises, Promises. He also appears weekly overhead as a flight attendant for US Airways. Richard is proud to be sharing the stage with such a talented group of people and thanks Ricky and friends for their support as he lives out one of his high school fantasies.
James Dorsey IV (Ensemble) is excited to perform with such a talented and dedicated cast and crew. He teaches music and dances in the DMV area. He thanks his family and friends for their encouragement throughout the rehearsals, and wishes the best to all involved with the show.
Cole Edelstein (Little Boy) is a 4th grader at Chevy Chase Elementary School and is thrilled to be performing in his first mainstage KAT production! Past shows – B@K: The Music Man, Jr. (Winthrop); Signature: Spin (Jesse); BSMF: The King and I (Louis); ATMTC: Fame, Jr. (Featured Dancer). He is a proud member of ATMTC’s Opening Act, performing in Spotlight 2012 and 2013. He is currently in rehearsal for B@K’s Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. (Motel). Cole thanks his family and friends for the rides to rehearsal and for their support, and his teachers and directors for believing in him!
Jon E. Evans (Ensemble) is a nuclear engineer and part-time teacher. He also currently works with WhoDunIt for Hire, LLC. In his spare time, he tutors elementary to college level students in math and science subjects and he loves to travel!
Meesha Fields (Sarah’s Friend, Ensemble) developed her soulful sound starting at the age of three, being heavily influenced by sounds of gospel hymns and Whitney Houston’s powerful,inspirational ballads. At the University of Virginia, Meesha sang with the Black Voices gospel choir. After college, she sang with the praise and worship ensemble at New Covenant Community Fellowship. Meesha made her musical theater debut in 2011 as Dionne in KAT’s production of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. She is thrilled to return to KAT this season and would like to express love and thanks to her amazing family, friends, and Ragtime cast for their kindness and support.
Benjamin Greenfield (Tateh) holds a BM from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory in Vocal Performance and attended the Peabody Institute. He is currently the tenor soloist at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Baltimore and is a high holiday cantor in Ohio. His past opera roles are Mr. Gedge in Britten’s Albert Herring, Tamino in Mozart’s Magic Flute, John Proctor in Ward’s The Crucible. He regularly participates in concerts at Mishkan Torah Synagogue where he sang Schumann’s Dichterliebe. He thanks his parents and his wife for all their love, support, and patience.
Bryce Gudelsky (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of Ragtime and to be a part of her first show with KAT. Previous credits: Carousel (Carrie), Spamalot (Ensemble), Cabaret(Dancer), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Legally Blonde (Brooke Whyndom) , Aladdin (Genie). She would like to thank the entire cast and crew, director Darnell, Mom, Dad, Seena, Ozwald, Ayla, Ariel, Kimmie, voice coach Kathy Bavaar, Ivanna, and her loving family and friends.
Michelle Hill (Evelyn Nesbit, Ensemble) is so excited to be working with everyone at KAT for the first time. She is a graduate from Marymount Manhattan College with her BA in Theatre Performance and Musical Theatre Minor. Michelle was last seen as Widow Corny in Oliver! with the Compass Rose Theatre in Annapolis, MD. Some of her favorite roles include Zozo in WS’s The Merry Widow, Little Becky Two-Shoes (Urinetown), Christine (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Nancy (Oliver!), Cinderella (Cinderella), and Gloria (Damn Yankees). A Special thanks to her friends, family, and everyone at KAT for their love and support! Enjoy the show!
Montario Hill (Booker T. Washington, Matthew Henson) Education: Morgan State University: BA in Vocal Music, BS in Education. Shows/roles – Dreamgirls (Tiny Joe Dixon/Frank), Smokey Joe’s Café (Victor), The Producers (Ensemble), The Secret Garden (Fakir), RENT (Tom Collins), Schoolhouse Rock Live (George), Godspell (Herb), The Moment(James), Lust N’ Rust (Red). Theembles for four years.
Daylen Knight (Coalhouse Walker III) Daylen is an extraordinary kid with many talents. As the first grandson he is no stranger to attention and loves to perform. He enjoys playing with friends and spending time with family. When he’s not watching Elmo, Daylen can be found coloring outside the lines with his favorite purple crayon. But that’s who Daylen is, an outside the lines energetic two year old with an amazing smile.
Kyra Koh (New Rochelle Woman, Immigrant Woman 2) is excited to make her debut at KAT. Originally from South Korea, Kyra is a classically trained soprano who has been singing in public for as long as she can remember. She received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at the Catholic University of America. In 2003, Kyra was a winner in the Urban Philharmonic’s Paul Robeson Vocal Competition and was voted “audience favorite.” As a singer, her experiences include solo performances at numerous State Department ceremonies and singing with the David Tauler Music Group. In July 2012, Kyra played the role of “Christmas Eve” in ASGT’s production ofAvenue Q. In addition to singing, Kyra served as a Washington Redskins Cheerleader Ambassador for the 2012-2013 season. Thanks to her family and friends in VA and CA for all of their love and support.
Julia Laje (Little Girl) is so excited to be in her first production at KAT! She loves to sing, dance and write scripts with her friends. Other theatre experiences include Annie (Annie),The Sound of Music (Marta), Once on This Island, Jr. (Ti Moune), Fame, Jr. (Carmen), Beauty and the Beast and High School Musical 2. She thanks her family, friends and teachers for all of their support!
Sayne-Khayri Lewis (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) is excited about returning to KAT! He was last seen in Next to Normal as Drs. Fine & Madden. Sayne would like to thank his ArtStream and WYPA family for their support as well as his Kingsview students and parents for being amazing. Darnell, Mayumi and John: you guys are awesome.
Bobby Libby (Harry Houdini) is excited to make his KAT debut. Most recently seen in The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Director Bob) with the Stillpointe Theatre Initiative and Strand Theatre. Other credits include Angels in America: Perestroika (Louis), Urinetown (Lockstock), The Who’s Tommy (Cousin Kevin), The Marriage of Bette and Boo(Matthew) and Cloud 9 (Joshua/Edward) at Towson University. He recently moved from Chicago where he was a company member of the Lights Out Theatre Company and appeared inSong For a Future Generation (Log) and the MooseHumps Trilogy, which he also helped write. Special thanks to Abbie.
Sarah Hirschman Libes (New Rochelle Woman) is delighted to return to performing after a five year hiatus. Previous roles – KAT: Ensemble in Sweeney Todd; LTA: Rose in The Secret Garden, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Jenny in Shenandoah (LTA); CP: Marta in Company. Much love to my legally wedded wife. I truly cannot do it without you. I am so lucky to have you, our son, and this!
Eben K. Logan (Sarah) is pleased to be making her KAT debut among friends old and new. She has been absent from the theatre for quite a bit but is glad to be dipping her toes back in with Ragtime. To Darnell and Sayne, her two leading men, thank you! Crystal, Alexandrina, Pep, and MelB this one is for you! She would also love to thank her family and friends for endless support and love, and hopes that everyone enjoys the show! Thank you for coming! xoxo to my number 1 boo
Malinda Markland (Mother) has appeared in several past KAT productions and is beyond thrilled to be back for one of her favorite musicals ever! Malinda holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of MD, College Park, and has performed in many venues throughout the DC area. Most recent credits – QTC: Lily/Young Julia in James Joyce’s The Dead- The Musical; ASGT: Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut in Avenue Q; RCP: Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone. Big thanks to the oh so fabulous Ragtime cast and crew, with an extra special shout-out to Momma Rose. As always, much love to family and friends (especially JPM)!
Shira Minsk (Little Girl) is a 6th grade student at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and is thrilled to be in her first KAT main stage production. She enjoyed performing in B@K’s production of The Music Man, Jr. and is looking forward to playing Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. this June. Past performances include A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theater, and ATMTC productions of Guys and Dolls, Seussical, Jr., Once on This Island, Jr., and Fame, Jr. She has been a member of ATMTC ensembles for four years.
Eli Schulman (Edgar) is a 4th grader at Chevy Chase Elementary School and is thrilled to be in his first KAT mainstage performance. Past credits – Studio Theater: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Lyncoya); B@K: The Music Man, Jr. (Winthrop); ATMTC: Fame, Jr. (ensemble), Seussical, Jr. (Jo-Jo). He has appeared in a TV Public Service Announcement (ASHA), a short film, and is a member of the ATMTC Opening Act Ensemble Group. Eli would like to thank Darnell and KAT for this wonderful opportunity!
Harrison Smith (Younger Brother) is thrilled to return to KAT’s main stage after appearing in this winter’s production of Next to Normal as Henry. Select previous credits – K2S:The Wizard of Oz (Zeke/Cowardly Lion); ASGT: Avenue Q (Nicky), Hairspray (Male Authority Figure); SMHS: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino), The Foreigner (Charlie Baker). Thanks as always to his wonderful supportive family and friends. A very special thanks to Darnell, Mayumi, and Craig for taking a risk on this important piece of theatre.
Charles Tangires (Ensemble) is a young scholar invested in establishing a career in musical theatre. Before graduating from Glenelg Country School in 2011, he participated in every one of the school’s musical theatre productions for which he was eligible. His final roles at the school included Lockstock (Urinetown) and Cain/Japheth (Children of Eden. In the summer of 2012, he was Adam in another production of Children of Eden with Columbia Center of Theatrical Arts Teen Professional Theater. He loves Ragtime. Continuing his work with director Darnell Morris, he has been cast as the Wolf/Steward for ASGT’s Into the Woods.
Vanessa Williams (Ensemble) is pleased and proud to be making her KAT debut in Ragtime! She would like to thank her family, friends, and the gang at 14th and K for their love and support.
Alex Xourias (New Rochelle Man) is psyched to be in his second show with KAT. He was last seen as Gabe in Next to Normal. He is a sophomore at UMD, tentatively studying Sociology/Communications (as if that won’t change in a month). Thanks to everyone who worked on the show to make it an unforgettable experience. Thanks to my friends and previous director, Christopher Gerken, for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Previous college credits include The Last 5 Years (Jamie) and Mr. Marmalade (Larry) through the Weekday Players at UMD, as well as RENT (Mark) through Theatre Unlimited DC.
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