Stafford Arima Set to Direct RAGTIME Concert at Lincoln Center, 2/18

Manhattan Concert Productions has just announced Stafford Arima as Stage Director for a concert performance of Ragtime The Musical in New York's Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on February 18, 2013. Nominated for an Olivier Award for his direction of the West End premiere of Ragtime, Arima will now stage direct a whole host of Broadway stars with full chorus in a concert performance of Ragtime The Musical.

Manhattan Concert Productions' inaugural Broadway Series will open with Ragtime The Musical in February 2013. For the first time MCP will not only invite qualified ensembles to collaborate on this performance but will also allow individuals to audition. An array of groups and individuals will participate in this professional and educational musical theater experience that will culminate in the Broadway Series' initial performance at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on February 18, 2013. Tickets to this evening performance will go on sale through the Avery Fisher Hall box office beginning Friday November 30, 2012.

Interested ensembles should email info@mcp.us for further details. Information on individual participants will be forthcoming.

Stafford Arima was nominated for an Olivier Award for his direction of the West End premiere of Ragtime. He recently directed the first revival of the infamous Broadway musical, Carrie (nominated for an Outer Critics Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and 5 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Revival of a Musical, MCC Theater). Other work includes: Altar Boyz (Best Off-Broadway Musical Outer Critics Circle Award and was nominated for 7 Drama Desk Awards); The Tin Pan Alley Rag (nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company); Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); Candide (San Francisco Symphony); The Secret Garden (World AIDS Day concert); Bright Lights, Big City (Prince Music Theater); A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim (Boston Pops); Guys and Dolls (Paper Mill Playhouse); Abyssinia (Goodspeed Musicals); Bowfire (PBS television special); Ace (The Old Globe); The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea (San Diego Repertory Theatre); and Marry Me a Little (Cincinnati Playhouse). Upcoming projects/in-development includes: Allegiance (The Old Globe, CA), Bare (New World Stages, Off-Broadway) and A Separate Peace (based on John Knowles' novel). Arima graduated from York University in Toronto where he was the recipient of the Dean's Prize for Excellence in Creative Work.

For more information on Stafford Arima: www.staffordarima.com

Lincoln Center (Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts) in New York City serves three roles: world's leading presenter of superb artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community relations, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. In addition, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is leading a series of major capital projects, now nearly complete, on behalf of the resident organizations on campus.

Avery Fisher Hall is one of the most acclaimed concert halls in NYC and is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. Home of the New York Philharmonic this halls has a capacity of 2,738 seats. You can book tickets for all Avery Fisher Hall shows either in person from Avery Fisher Hall box office at?10 Lincoln Center Plaza (Columbus Avenue at 65th Street)?Monday–Saturday 10:00 am–6:00 pm and Sunday noon–6:00 pm?or over the phone at 212.875.5030 or online from CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 TTY at 212.957.1709. This is open daily 10:00 am–9:00 pm.

Called by Time Magazine "A triumph for the stage," and by the International Herald Tribune "the best musical in twenty years," this acclaimed musical won 1998 Tony Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations, and won both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score. Ragtime is not only a powerful portrait of life in turn-of-the-century America, but a relevant tale for today.

The Tony-winning score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself. It draws 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.

Featured are 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 thrilling musical is sure to inspire actors and audiences alike!

Manhattan Concert Productions is dedicated to excellence in music making, hospitality and travel details. Their focus is placed on the selection and preparation of visiting musicians, guest conductors and professional orchestra and soloists. They offer workshops, festivals and performance opportunities in renowned venues around the world.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.