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RAGTIME THE MUSICAL
Book by Terrence McNally
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Jonathan Mulberg
Produced by Kimberly Fry
Based on the novel, Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
July 29-31, August 5-7, & August 12-14, 2022
The Theatre at Potomac Falls High School
This sweeping musical portrait of early-twentieth-century America tells the story of three families in pursuit of the American Dream.
Written by the award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Once on This Island, Seussical and Lucky Stiff), noted playwright Terrence McNally, and based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel, Ragtime is the winner of the 1998 Tony Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations, and both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score. Called by TIME Magazine "A triumph for the stage," and by the International Herald Tribune "the best musical in twenty years," this acclaimed musical is filled with pageantry, emotion and hope, bursting onto the stage like no other musical.
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing… and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together – that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.
The beautiful, Tony-winning score is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself, drawing upon many musical styles, from the ragtime rhythms of Harlem and Tin Pan Alley to the klezmer of the Lower East Side, from bold brass band marches to delicate waltzes, from up-tempo banjo tunes to period parlor songs and expansive anthems. A truly unique and powerful portrait of America, Ragtime is sure to inspire actors and audiences alike!
**This musical contains words of a racially sensitive nature and may not be appropriate for all audiences.**
Meet the Cast
 Kareem TaylorKareem Taylor is a Computer Engineer from South Carolina currently residing in Sterling, VA. Previous credits include Curtis Jackson in Sister Act (PWLT), George in Godspell (SP), J.B. Biggley in How To Succeed... (SP), ensemble in Sweeney Todd (SP), and ensemble in Beauty and The Beast (SP). |  Abbie MulbergAbbie is thrilled to be joining Sterling Playmakers to bring this amazing story to life. Some favorite past roles include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (CRT), Laurey Williams in Oklahoma! (PWLT), Abigail Adams in 1776 (PTP), and Marian Paroo in The Music Man (CRT). |  Jim Bowen-CollinsonJim Bowen-Collinson (Tateh) is thrilled to be a part of this incredible show. A South Jersey native, Jim has been performing in various operas and musicals in the NOVA area. Favorite credits: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere; SP), How to Succeed… (Bud Frump; SP), Sister Act (Joey; PWLT). |
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 Chris GrayChris is a long time performer in the region and is thrilled to be working with Sterling Playmakers again! Some favorite roles include Harold Hill in The Music Man, Caractacus in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cornelius in Hello Dolly, Tommy in Brigadoon and Bobby in Company. |  Christian RodgersChristian has worked with several theater companies in Northern Virginia and he is thrilled to star in his first Sterling Playmakers’ production. Some of his favorite musical roles have been Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, Rolf in the Sound of Music, and, most recently, Marcellus in the Music Man. . |  Ahryel TinkerAhryel is excited to join the Ragtime cast! Favorite roles: Anna in Spring Awakening, Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Mrs. Potts in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, with thanks to Zina Bleck. May Zina live on through the lasting impact she made on the hearts and lives of the local theatre family. Thanks to her family and friends for supporting her passion while raising her almost 3 year old son. |
 Dana RobertsDana Roberts is thrilled to be a part of Ragtime in one of her dream roles, Emma Goldman. Favorite roles include Oliver! as Widow Corney (SP) and Sweeney Todd as Ensemble/Mrs. Lovett understudy (RP). She lives in Leesburg with her husband, Brian, and two beagles, Riley and Paisley. . |  Carson HopkinsCarson is a recent Musical Theatre graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham and is ecstatic to be a part of this fantastic production. A Falls Church native, Carson has performed in many of FDU Theatre’s recent productions and is excited to be in his second show with Sterling Playmakers this summer. Recent Credits: Dog Sees God (CB), A Little Night Music (Frid), Ensemble/Nick Understudy. |  Maggie WattsMaggie is thrilled to be returning to the stage in her first production with the incredible Sterling Playmakers as Miss Evelyn Nesbit! With many stage credits, Ragtime has to be the most exciting one yet! Sterling Playmakers has made the transition back to the theater seamless, welcoming actors old and new with open arms. . |
 Rene Kieth FloresRene “Kieth” Flores (JP Morgan/Ensemble), last seen in Catch Me If You Can as Roger Strong (SP), is super excited to be part of Ragtime. Other roles of note include Gomez Addams in The Addams Family (TCP), Che Evita (SMP), the King King & I (SP) as well as ensemble in Cinderella (SS), Bright Star (LTA) and The Drowsy Chaperone (MCP). |  Bob RosenbergHe can sing (and loves it)! He can dance (if necessary)! He can act (so they say)! And he's an actual grandfather! This is Bob's fifth musical venture with Sterling Playmakers (The Sound of Music, Oliver, The Music Man, Sweeney Todd) and promises to be the best yet! . |  Douglas A. HortonDoug is grateful to return to the stage after 35 years. Before career and family, he was a frequent community theatre actor on Long Island, with principal roles in Cabaret, Name, The Ritz, The Amorous Flea, The Tempest, Death of a Salesman, Company, The Foreigner, and others. He lives in Sterling with his wife and two children. |
 Mark W. Gray-MendesMark is thrilled to return to the stage after a ten-year hiatus. He was last seen in MCP's Legally Blonde: The Musical (Warner Huntington III). When not on stage, Mark serves as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. . |  Marguerite DriessenMarguerite (Bunny) Driessen is a lawyer and civil servant currently living in Fairfax, Virginia. She lived, ate, and breathed theater from high school through college and law school, but then stepped away to support her growing family. She is excited beyond description to be returning to the stage with Ragtime. . |  Katie MarshKatie is a rising freshman at Valley High School in Purcellville and enjoys dancing and field hockey in her spare time. Past roles include Molly in Annie, ensemble in Anne of Green Gables, Susan in Miracle on 34th Street and her favorite role so far has been playing the lead in Matilda. This is Katie's first show with Sterling Playmakers and she is so excited and thankful for the opportunity. |
 Lisa AlfordLisa is excited to be a part of Ragtime's cast. She's had a lot of fun stepping out of her comfort zone recently with Dirty Work Afoot (SP) and Jack and Jill and the Witching Well (SCTC). . |  Vanessa BlissVanessa is thrilled to finally be part of a musical again! This is her second show with Sterling Playmakers; her first being The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Hilda). BA in Theatre Arts, McDaniel College. She wants to thank her mentors, teachers, and parents for all their support over the years. . |  Kyle ChuaThis is Kyle’s first Sterling Playmakers Production! He is excited to be returning to the theatre world after two years, and he is especially excited to be inviting the world of Ragtime into his life. . |
 Shelby CodyShelby Cody is an opera singer who received her masters in music from Manhattan School of Music. She has performed in a number of operas and musicals, her most recent including: Sweeney Todd (2021), Emmeline (2019), Les pêcheurs de perles (2019), and L'enfant et les sortilèges (2018). . |  Becky CopperComing from MinnesOHta, I’ve been getting used to life in the DMV area these past several months. I’m currently delaying my entry into “real adult world” and enjoying life as a graduate student in Public Health Nutrition at George Washington University. This is my first experience in a musical! . |  Claire De AngiolettiClaire De Angioletti has loved ensemble singing in musical theatre since...forever! "Ragtime" is one of her favorites, as she appreciates the relevancy of the historical and cultural themes that resonate today. She is in awe of the talented cast & production team, and perceives the arts as building community! . |
 Sarah DriessenSarah Driessen is a rising senior at Oakton High School, where she has been an active participant in the choral an drama programs. She is joining Ragtime straight from singing and dancing in OHS's Jimmy nominated production of The Addams Family Musical. . |  Keri D. DurrettKeri D. Durrett holds a B.A. in Theater and an M.A. in Drama Therapy. Her favorite roles to date include The (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Catherine (Proof), Edith (The Pirates of Penzance), Eva's Sister (Evita), Katherine (Taming of the Shrew), and Sister Margaretta (The Sound of Music). . |  Sally Ann FloresSally Ann Flores (Ensemble) is excited to be back with SP after appearing as Mrs. Peters in last fall's The Social Secretary (SP). Recent ensemble roles include Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (SS) and Bright Star (LTA). Favorite roles include Miss Hannigan, Annie (ZS), Bloody Mary, South Pacific, Irene Molloy, Hello Dolly (CRT), and the Queen of Hearts, Alix in Wonderland (CT). |
 Earle GreeneEarle is excited to join this talented cast, his second show with the Sterling Playmakers. He recently appeared as Daddy Murphy in Bright Star (RCP). Previous roles in The Social Secretary (SP), The Diary of Anne Frank, Annie, Seussical, and The Crucible (RCP). He has also appeared in A Tuna Christmas and Evita with (McLean Players), The Homecoming with the Renaissance Players, Mischief Managed with the Little Dinner Theatre Players and other productions both in the U.S. and around the world. |  Juliet MarshJuliet is a Junior at Valley HS in Purcellville and enjoys singing and cooking in her spare time. Past roles include Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, Kim in Bye, Bye, Birdie and Belle in A Christmas Carol. Her favorite role so far has been a lost boy in Peter Pan. This is Juliet's first show with SP. She is happy to meet new people and excited for the opportunity to perform alongside such talented performers. . |  Victoria Alicia MilbourneVictoria is elated to make her theatre debut in ‘Ragtime’ with Sterling Playmakers. She grew up in Salisbury, MD, performing at her hometown church and high school. Victoria is excited to return to the stage for such an important and poignant show. . |
 Annabel Stein. . |  D'Andre StewartD'Andre is excited to be in the Harlem ensemble with his first musical with SP! Past shows: Sister Act (PWLT), The Addams Family (Osborn Park HS). He loves performing (acting, dancing, singing) and wants to be a professional actor. He hopes you'll see him in future shows. |  Jason PurdyJason Purdy is a local chef, writer, and father of two who has been delighted to find a home on stage with such a talented and welcoming cast of performers. . |
 Kevin Sockwell. . |  Ashtyn Tinker. . |
RAGTIME is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Meet The Production Team
Jonathan Mulberg
Director
Kimberly Fry
Producer
Lauren Baker
Assistant Director
Thank you to our amazing SPONSORS!
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