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Lincoln Park presents ‘Ragtime’

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Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Ragtime,” Friday through June 24 on the Main Stage Theater.

This sweeping musical is complete with a 20-piece orchestra and a cast of 54, featuring equity actors Daina Michelle Griffith, Nic Barilar and Tru Verret-Fleming and Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School graduate Amanda Gross.

“This production promises to be a stunning, live theatrical experience that will both challenge and inspire audiences to consider and to celebrate what’s so great about America,” said Justin Fortunato, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center producing artistic director. “We’ve seen a lot of polarization in our country in recent years, and an emphasis on what divides and separates us from each other. Through incredible music, great stories and spectacular stagecraft, this production of ‘Ragtime’ gives our audiences the chance to come together and, without ignoring the challenges we face, find common ground.”

Featuring an epic, crusading score by Pittsburgh native Stephen Flaherty, “Ragtime” tells the story of three different groups, each pursuing the American dream in the early 20th century: African Americans, white suburbanites and Eastern European immigrants.

Historical figures from the period, including Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington, J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford and Emma Goldman Emma, are also featured.

Fortunato said that audiences for Lincoln Park’s production will likewise be treated to live theater on a grand scale.

“When you’re doing a show with the historical sweep and powerful music of Ragtime, you have to go big or stay home,” said Fortunato. “The set is mammoth, the orchestra is huge, and the cast is massive, both in terms of size and talent.

“This season at Lincoln Park has been dedicated to ‘dreaming bigger,’ and we are closing it out by presenting our biggest vision yet.”

The sprawling set for this production of Ragtime is designed by one of the region’s leading theatrical designers, Tony Ferrieri, and built by Lincoln Park’s scenic production team at its new shop and warehouse in Aliquippa.

“While the scenery, costumes, lighting and other technical elements of this show are beautiful and engaging, the most important thing is that it all serves to tell the stories and showcase the amazing talents of our cast,” said Fortunato.

Fortunato said the cast features some of Pittsburgh’s finest and most in-demand actors and vocalists. In addition to Griffith, Fleming and Barilar, Erich Lasek is cast as Tateh and Joshua Jones as Booker T. Washington. Students from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School are also featured, including Gross, Jordyn Walker, Nic Hermick, and Mathew Fedorek.

“The opportunity to hear this many phenomenal voices and such a powerful orchestra together at one time is something very special,” said Fortunato. “The mix of professional and student talent is part of the unique chemistry of a Lincoln Park production.”

Tickets are $20, $18 and $15 and are available by calling 724-576-4644 (option 2 for the box office) or online at www.LincolnParkArts.org.

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