Ragtime, The Musical Opens at Upper Darby Summer Stage at UDPAC with Marcus Stevens Directing

Ragtime, the Musical Sweeps onto the stage at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center

Hope, dreams, and optimism help paint a nostalgic and spirited portrait of life in the beginning of twentieth century America as Ragtime, The Musical, brings its rich and powerful music to Upper Darby Summer Stage beginning August 3, 2007 at 7:30 PM.

Directed by Summer Stage veteran, Marcus Stevens of Wallingford, this show was named “Best Musical of the Year” by USA Today and won 13 Tony Awards when it hit the Broadway stage in 1996.

Based on E. L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel, Ragtime intertwines the lives of three distinct families:

== an African American family at the dawning of the Harlem Renaissance (introducing Paris Nix of Philadelphia as Coalhouse Walker)

== a wealthy family from New Rochelle (featuring Liz Seymour of Wallingford in the role of Mother and Kevin Dietzler of Upper Darby as Mother’s Younger Brother) and

== a struggling immigrant and his daughter (played by Jeremy Morse of Havertown and Katherine Hallinan of Broomall).

Each of these stories poignantly illustrate history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate.

Robert Harris of Philadelphia choreographs the complicated dance numbers with precision and believes the opening number is one of the best audiences are likely to see in any musical. Gina Giachero of Media provides the musical direction to the cast of 80 and the full orchestra consisting of 18 members. She comments that all the essential themes of Ragtime are established in the opening melody, from the graceful rhythm to the wonderful jazz syncopations and beautiful Jewish folk inflections. The period costumes by Mary Ann Swords-Greene of Hatfield complement the set for the story’s momentous events, designed by Emily Clay of Huntingdon Valley.

To Listen to Marcus Stevens talk about this production, Click the audio player's Play Button at the top of this article.

The full-length show is rated PG-13 for some language and racial themes and is sponsored by PECO.

The musical will be presented on August 3, 4, 10, 11 at 7:30 PM with a special matinee performance on August 11 at 1:30 PM. Ticket prices range from $9 to $11.

The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located at 601 North Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill. The air-conditioned theater is handicapped-accessible. The Performing Arts Center’s website is www.udpac.org.

For further information or to order tickets, call the box office at 610-622-1189. Telephone reservations using VISA and MasterCard are accepted. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 4:00 PM, and one hour before evening performances.

Charlie Seymour Jr
StageMagazineOnline.com
Charlie@StageMagazineOnline.com

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