The Tabard Theatre Company Presents THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG, 3/30-4/22

The Tabard Theatre Company concludes its 11th season with music and dance and a what-if sense of history as it presents THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG, a play by Mark Saltzman with music and lyrics by Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin. Fifteen performances will be presented March 30 through April 22 at Theatre on San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose.

Set in the early 20th century in New York City, THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG poses a hypothesis: What if Scott Joplin, in search of a publisher for his opera, should happen into the offices of young Irving Berlin? The entertaining conclusion: An energetic musical play full of dancing, dreams, emotion, and songs such as Maple Leaf Rag, The Entertainer, Play a Simple Melody, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, and a bounty of others. It’s a tuneful, toe-tapping journey, intertwining the lives, loves and losses of the King of Ragtime and the Titan of Tin Pan Alley.

Tabard’s founder and executive director, Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, is the producer of THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG. “High life and heartbreak,“ said Cassetta, “one life that ended at 50 but another that spanned a full century, and pure, glorious genius—these are the legacies of two of America’s quintessential musical masters: Scott Joplin, the son of a slave, and Irving Berlin, an immigrant Russian Jew. There is no historical record of the two composers ever meeting— but what if they did? Through Mark Saltzman’s work, Tabard suggests: Fun, fantasy, and plenty of American music, drama and dreams.”

“THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG,” continued Cassetta, “made its off-Broadway premiere in 2009 and was named Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. It was nominated for a 2009 Outer Critics Circle Award and went on to win in 2010 both the Philadelphia “Barrymore Award” Best Musical and the Los Angeles "Ovation Award" Best Musical. Producing this imaginative play—a Bay Area premiere— continues Tabard’s mission to present new or not commonly produced works.”

The cast stars James Creer as Scott Joplin and Ben D’Angelo as Irving Berlin. Both are Tabard audience favorites from Stompin’ at the Savoy and, separately, other company productions such as Crowns, Driving Miss Daisy, Bandstand Beat and A Taffeta Wedding. Featured players are Joe Colletti, Everett Dailey, Eddie Gilbert, Jessica Golden, Ronnie Grigsby, Mike Hanlon, Anaseini Katoa, Keith Pennings, JM Perchalski, Tracy Perrilliat, Sarah Vogel, and Yhá Mourhia D. Wright. Tabard Associate Artistic Director Diane Milo is the director and vocal director. For the company she has directed The Story of My Life; The Gifts of the Magi; Lady, Be Good; Follies Concert Version and the award-winning Crowns. Debra J. Crenshaw returns to Tabard as choreographer, having previously choreographed Crowns. Karen Adkins is the music director, following her most recent Tabard show, The Gifts of the Magi. For every production, Tabard donates a portion of its concession proceeds to a local nonprofit. The designated nonprofit for THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG is the scholarship program of Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose, which gives youth opportunity to learn and perform a variety of musical styles.

THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG will run March 30 through April 22 at the unique, cabaret-style Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 North San Pedro Street in downtown San Jose. All evening performances (Thursday April 19, Fridays and Saturdays) are at 8pm; Saturday matinees at 3pm, Sundays at 2pm. NOTE: No performances Saturday, April 7, 8pm or Sunday, April 8. Tickets are available at www.tabardtheatre.org, tickets@tabardtheatre.org, or by calling 800-838-3006. Cabaret Seating $35; Adults $29; Seniors $27; Adult Students $15; Youth/Kids $10. Advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Founded in 2001, The Tabard Theatre Company is the managing and resident theatre company of Theatre on San Pedro Square, with administrative offices in South San Jose. Tabard is committed to making a difference in the community through the arts by presenting professional-quality shows that are suitable and appropriate for audiences of all ages. Tabard actors, stage crew, and staff of all ages come from throughout the Bay Area as well as San Jose. The company is also committed to making theatre affordable and accessible for all, a goal it meets through its various outreach programs. Additionally, Tabard donates a portion of its concession proceeds to nonprofit organizations that are thematically related to the shows and often includes food or clothing drives during its productions. Tabard produces five mainstage productions each season. For its 11th season, Tabard celebrates the theme “The Rhythm of Life.” Coming later this season: LOCAL JAZZ COMPOSER SHOWCASE (April 28). —Inspiration and Imagination found here. Tabard. For more information about performances visit http://www.tabardtheatre.org.

Photo credit: Edmond Kwong 

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