RAGTIME OPENS FRIDAY, JULY 7 AT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Center for the Arts explores what it means to be an American with its production of Ragtime onJuly 7-23. The Tony Award-winning musical with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens is directed by Rachel Jones, a newcomer to Center for the Arts.

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.

“It is a very challenging show and it has pushed and stretched me to become better – artistically and personally,” said Ryan Richmond who portrays Coalhouse Walker.  “Our country is divided in so many ways right now and the messages in this musical can easily relate to what is going on in the world today.”

A thrilling musical inspiring actors and audiences alike, Time Magazine declares RAGTIME a “triumph for the stage,” and the International Herald Tribune says “it’s the best musical in twenty years,” winning Tony Awards for Best Score, Book, and Orchestrations in 1998. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel, the musical intertwines the stories of three extraordinary families confronting timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America in the 20th Century. RAGTIME features show-stopping songs such as “Getting Ready Rag,” “Your Daddy’s Son,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Till We Reach That Day,” “Back to Before” and “Make Them Hear You.”

Opening night is Friday, July 7, where an exclusive season-ticket only event will be held in the art gallery prior to the show.  Performances run Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:00. General admission tickets are $15.00 for adults, $13.00 for seniors, students, and military, and $11.00 for children.   Groups of 10 or more receive a $2.00 discount per ticket.  Tickets are available by visiting boroarts.org or calling The Center’s box office at 615-904-2787.

Ragtime patrons who dine before or after the show can receive 10% off their check at Puckett’s with a special promo code received upon ticket purchase. 

Center for the Arts is located at 110 W. College Street in Murfreesboro, TN.

The Center for the Arts opened to the public on December 1, 1995 and was originally funded by the City of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. In 2008 The Center became a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and now depends on the generosity of the public for funding.

Since its opening, the Center for the Arts has been presenting theatrical productions, visual art exhibitions, music concerts, dance performances, and educational classes.  For information, visitwww.boroarts.org