Since its 1998 Broadway debut, Tony Award-winning musical “Ragtime” has been seen by millions worldwide.

The musical gets a new twist in Scottsdale Desert Stages’ “theater in the round” setting. A rectangular stage with rotating sets is surrounded by seating on all four sides, creating entrances and exits in all corners of the theater.

“The simple fact that we are doing it in this venue changes it so dramatically that it can’t be anything but new and fresh,” said director Terry Helland. “The challenge is to include 360 degrees of people.”

Based on E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel of the same name, “Ragtime” tells the stories of three families and their oddly intertwined lives at the turn-of-the-century.

After an upper-class housewife takes in a struggling young mother and her newborn baby, the infant’s father, Harlem musician Coalhouse Walker Jr., fights to win her back and survive in a changing world. Also chronicled is the struggle of a Jewish immigrant and his daughter to find a place in a strange new land. The three paths are all connected by dreams of a brighter future.

Filled with themes of hope and love in the face of social injustice and economic hardship, “Ragtime” has remained relevant.

“We’ve all been in situations where we’ve felt the whole world was against us,” said Miguel Jackson,who plays Coalhouse.

Handling difficult matters such as racism and hate, “Ragtime” forces audiences to evaluate themselves and the world they live in.

“It deals with the human condition,” said Elizabeth Reeves, who plays the part of Mother. “It deals with, unfortunately, things that will probably never go away.”

Helland said that with the 360-degree format, the fast-paced action and quick scene transitions made the production particularly challenging. Helland said it’s the hardest show he has ever directed.

“I strive to bring a level of energy from beginning to end that suspends the show in an unwavering state of believability,” he said.

With a Broadway revival of “Ragtime” opening in mid-November, Desert Stages’ production will be one of the last regional productions of the show for a few years. While a show is on Broadway, it cannot be produced nationally, Reeves said.

Tyler Lockman
The Arizona Republic
October 13, 2009 03:01 PM

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre presents “Ragtime,” Oct. 9-Nov. 1, the turn-of-the-century tale of three families from different worlds who collide during an age of industrial enterprise and societal shifts.

The musical brings the year 1906 to life through a prosperous family, an immigrant father and daughter and a black musician.

“Ragtime” comes fresh off DST’s critically acclaimed “Jekyll & Hyde.”

In addition, a special “Ragtime” performance Nov. 6, benefits Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre and the American Diabetes Association in “A Night of American Hope.” Tickets are $150 through DST box office, 480-483-1664. A fine wine and food reception sponsored by Optima CamelView Village precedes the 8 p.m. show at Optima CamelView. Other sponsors include Posh Improvisational Cuisine restaurant, Prestige Wines and Desert Parking. A dessert reception follows the show in the DST lobby.

Among “Ragtime” cast highlights is Goodyear resident, actor Miguel Jackson, who plays the pivotal role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. and makes his Phoenix theater debut since moving here from Canada. Elizabeth Reeves stars as Mother. Mesa veteran performer Reeves has starred in “Smokey Joe’s Café” and “The Taffetas,” with other credits as diverse as a recent musical performance during High Mass at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Basilica, among others.

Tickets for “Ragtime” are $22 in advance by phone, 480-483-1664; or $25 day of performance at Desert Stages box office, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road, north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square, next to Coco’s restaurant. “Ragtime” performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. In anticipation of another blockbuster, DST has added Saturday matinees for the show, which will be 2 p.m. Oct. 17, 24 and 31.

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre is a nonprofit organization that produces live, innovative theatrical entertainment, led by co-founder and executive director Laurie Cullity; business manager and cofounder Joan Thompson; and artistic director Terry Helland. Included in each DST season are children’s productions of original scripts, musical scores and lyrics by co-founder Gerry Cullity, whose work is still relished five years after his death. Upcoming for the Children’s Theatre in Cullity Hall is Cullity’s original adaptation of “The Snow Queen,” Nov. 20-Dec. 20. And in DST’s intimate Actor’s Café is “Arsenic and Old Lace” Nov. 6-Jan. 10.

Staff Report
Your West Valley
2009-09-30 12:13:33

Lizz plays the lead role of “Mother” in this epic musical that paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of life in turn of the century America. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel, Ragtime intertwines three distinct stories that poignantly illustrate history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate. This 1998 Tony award winning show for best score, book, and orchestrations, features such show stopping songs 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.” This momentous musical is sure to inspire actors and audiences alike!

DATES: Oct 9 – Nov 1, 2009
TIMES: 7:30 pm Fridays & Saturdays; 2 pm Saturdays & Sundays (No 2pm show on 10/10)

Tickets are $22 in advance ($20seniors/students) and $25 the day of show. Reservations are recommended. Please mention that Elizabeth “Lizz” Reeves sent you!

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
4720 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251