RAGTIME Rings in Holiday Cheer at Jackie Robinson Park Tree Lighting, 12/17

The Jackie Robinson Park Conservancy, Inc., in partnership with Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. and Capital One Bank/145th Street Branch will presents The 12th Annual Jackie Robinson Park Lights of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony tomorrow, December 17, 2009 from 4pm - 6pm at the Jackie Robinson Park & Recreation Center Jackie Robinson Park and Recreation Center (89 Bradhurst Avenue - a.k.a., W.E B. DuBois Avenue - at 146th Street).  

The afternoon will be filled with music, food, Christmas tree lights, in addition to a special performance by the Broadway cast of RAGTIME. 

For $20, participants will have the opportunity to purchase a light of hope to acknowledge loved ones and community members while supporting the work of HCCI and the Jackie Robinson Park Conservancy. Call 212-281-4887, ext. 121 or e-mail iepps@hcci.org for more information.

Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) is committed to the holistic revitalization of Harlem. We provide economic development and empowerment opportunities to help Harlem residents rebuild and sustain their community.

Founded in 1986, HCCI is a coalition of more than 90 inter-faith congregations that has implemented a comprehensive portfolio of programs to provide affordable housing and safe streets; offer opportunities for individuals and groups to become and remain economically independent; increase understanding of and access to health care; and provide substantive educational programs for adults and young people. Through alliances with other community organizations, elected officials and local residents, HCCI has also helped reduce crime in the community; increase public sanitation; and preserve and transform open space.

Leveraging more than $240 million in support from federal, state, and city agencies, HCCI's real estate office has developed more than 2,000 units of low, moderate and middle-income housing and nearly 40 commercial spaces including a 45,000 sq. ft. Pathmark supermarket. Our health office provides scattered-site housing for 60 families and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. HCCI's adult education programs include soft employment skills, literacy training (in conjunction with Literacy Partners), and computer software training--all linked with job placement. To date, we have placed more than 1500 residents in employment opportunities.

HCCI is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation governed by a Board of Directors, and relies on support from grants, donations and government contracts funds.

For more information visit www.hcci.org.

Based on E.L. Doctorow's epic acclaimed novel, RAGTIME features direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, and a majestic 28-piece orchestra led by musical director James Moore.

RAGTIME features a company of 40, starring Ron Bohmer (Father), Quentin Earl Darrington (Coalhouse Walker Jr.), Christiane Noll (Mother), Robert Petkoff (Tateh), Bobby Steggert (Mother's Younger Brother), Stephanie Umoh (Sarah), with Christopher Cox (The Little Boy), Sarah Rosenthal (The Little Girl), Mark Aldrich (Willie Conklin), Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Henry Ford), Jonathan Hammond (Harry Houdini), Dan Manning (Grandfather), Michael X. Martin (J.P. Morgan), Mike McGowan (Stanford White), Donna Migliaccio (Emma Goldman), Josh Walden (Harry K. Thaw), Savannah Wise (Evelyn Nesbit), Eric Jordan Young (Booker T. Washington).

RAGTIME features Sumayya Ali, Terence Archie, Corey Bradley, Jayden Brockington, Benjamin Cook, Carey Rebecca Brown, Jennifer Evans, Carly Hughes, Lisa Karlin, Valisia LeKae, James Moye, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Mamie Parris, Bryonha Parham, Nicole Powell, Kaylie Rubinaccio, Arbender J. Robinson, Benjamin Schrader, Wallace Smith, Catherine Walker, Jim Weaver, Kylil Christopher Williams.

RAGTIME is produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Furman, Scott Delman, Roger Berlind, Max Cooper, Tom Kirdahy/Devlin Elliott, Jeffrey A. Sine, Stephanie McClelland, Roy Miller, LAMS Productions, Jana Robbins, Sharon Karmazin, Eric Falkenstein/Morris Berchard, Wendy Federman, Jamie deRoy, Sheila Steinberg, Lauren Stevens, Independent Presenters Network, Held-Haffner Productions, HRH Foundation and Emanuel Azenberg in association with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The celebrated production team includes scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Santo Loquasto, lighting design by Donald Holder, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, hair and wig design by Edward J. Wilson and orchestrations by William David Brohn.

RAGTIME originally opened on Broadway on January 18, 1998 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The musical garnered four Tony Awards® including Best Book, Original Score and Best Orchestrations. The beloved Ahrens and Flaherty score features some of the award-winning team's best-known songs including the title song, "Make Them Hear You" and the anthem "The Wheels of a Dream."

Marcia Milgrom Dodge's production debuted at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater on April 18 and played a sold out limited engagement through May 17, 2009.

RAGTIME tickets prices are $46.50, $86.50 and $126.50 (including $1.50 facility fee) and available by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

RAGTIME plays Tuesday at 7p; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday eve at 8p; Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2p; Sunday matinees at 3p. Dark Monday.

for more information visit www.RagtimeBroadway.com.