Asolo Rep Announces Complete Casting For RAGTIME

Asolo Rep continues its 2017-18 season with the celebrated American musical RAGTIME. Directed by Peter Rothstein, founding artistic director of Theater Latté Da in Minneapolis, RAGTIME features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, who all garnered Tony Awards for the production. The original Broadway production was directed by Frank Galati, who received a Tony nomination for his work and is an Associate Artist at Asolo Rep. A collaboration with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, RAGTIME previews May 1 - 3, opens May 4 and runs through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

RAGTIME masterfully chronicles three different societal groups at the dawn of the 20th century in New York - an affluent white family, an African American family and an immigrant Jewish family - whose lives are forever changed when their very different worlds collide. Featuring one of the most revered scores of all time, director Peter Rothstein has artfully stripped down this originally massive production to reveal its surprisingly intimate core. RAGTIME remains a poetic and pertinent reflection on America's melting pot and the power of empathy despite seemingly insurmountable differences.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of RAGTIME's Broadway premiere and yet, like all great masterpieces, it remains just as thrilling and moving as it did when it first opened," said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. "RAGTIME has everything you could hope for in a musical - a soaring, extraordinary score, a timely story about immigration and what it means to be an American, and characters that we can both root for and identify with. Peter Rothstein's brilliant re-imagining of this iconic musical will undeniably be one of the highlights of our season."

The creative team also includes choreographer Kelli Foster Warder, scenic designer Michael Hoover, costume designer Trevor Bowen, sound designer Justin Stasiw, and music director Steve Orich (Tony nomination: Jersey Boys), who will provide additional orchestrations. Orich orchestrated the world premieres of Beatsville (2017) and Josephine (2016) at Asolo Rep.

Director Peter Rothstein's work has been seen at the Guthrie, Minnesota Opera, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre and more. He is the creator of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 and is the recipient of seven Ivey Awards.

"The original Broadway production, gloriously staged by Frank Galati, was one of the most thrilling experiences I've had in the American theatre," said Peter Rothstein. "My hope is that the intimacy of this production heightens the complex psychology and the simple humanity of this epic work. We witness characters from wildly different walks of life intersect, change, and create new partnerships, new families, a new America."

Sasha Andreev (Tateh) was most recently seen in the national tour of All is Calm. He has performed at the Guthrie, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Actors Theatre of Louisville. On television, he has been seen as the host of Operation Build (A&E) and Curb Appeal (HGTV). Danyel Fulton (Sarah) also portrayed Sarah in the critically acclaimed Seattle 5th Avenue Theatre production of RAGTIME. Off Broadway, she appeared in Jasper in Deadland with Prospect Theater Company and in the national tour of Hair. Jared Joseph (Coalhouse Walker Jr.) was last seen in the world premiere of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations at Berkeley Rep. Britta Ollmann (Mother) also portrayed the role of Mother in the Theater Latté Da production in Minneapolis. She has appeared on Broadway in Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair. Her other credits include Sunday in the Park with George (Guthrie), A Catered Affair (The Old Globe), Daddy Long Legs and Red Velvet (freeFall Theatre Company) and more.

Leslie Becker (Emma Goldman) played the role of Clyde Barrow's mom, Cumie, at Asolo Rep and on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde. Her additional Broadway credits include Amazing Grace, Anything Goes and Nine. Bret Shuford (Father/J.P. Morgan) has appeared on Broadway in Cirque du Soleil Paramour, Amazing Grace, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. Billie Wildrick (Evelyn Nesbit) returns to Asolo Rep after appearing in the world premiere of Beatsville last season.

The cast features Deyante Brown (Coalhouse Walker III), Isaiah Curtis (Coalhouse Walker III), David Darrow (Younger Brother), Ben Dutcher (Harry Houdini/Willie Conklin), William Garrabrandt (The Little Boy), Hugh Hastings (Grandfather/Henry Ford), Bridget Carly Marsh (The Little Girl), Alfie Parker Jr. (Harlem Man), and Rod Singleton (Booker T. Washington). The cast also includes Gigi Spagnalo (Skater) and Jade Turner (Harlem Woman), who are both currently in Roe, through April 15, at Asolo Rep.

SASHA ANDREEV* (Tateh) was most recently seen in the national tour of All is Calm with Theater Latté Da. Based in Minneapolis, his stage credits include the Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Hennepin Theater Trust, Jungle Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. On screen, Sasha has been seen as host of Operation Build (A&E) and Curb Appeal (HGTV); as a frequent guest expert on the EVINE Home Shopping Network; and in numerous commercials and films. He is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia.

Danyel Fulton* (Sarah) was most recently seen in the 5th Avenue's production of Ragtime as Sarah. She's been Off-Broadway in Jasper in Deadland with Prospect Theater Company and on tour with Hair as Dionne. Regionally, she's been seen at Goodspeed Opera House in the new musical Darling Grenadine; at Flat Rock Playhouse as Tina and Aretha in Beehive; and as Thelma in The Trip to Bountiful at Capital Rep. Danyel has received three Audelco nominations for Outstanding Female Performance for her work at Harlem Rep and The National Black Theatre both in NYC. Romans 8:28.

Jared Joseph* (Coalhouse Walker Jr.) has collaborated with Bill T. Jones, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Kenny Leon, Des McAnuff, Dominique Morisseau, Susan Stroman, and Patricia McGregor...to name a few. Jared was last seen in the world premiere of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (Berkeley Rep). Outside of performing, he partners with Broadway Serves and 'breaking walls'- an organization that ignites global dialogue by creating artistic, educational and ensemble-building opportunities for disenfranchised youth. Jared is a proud graduate of HSPVA (Houston, TX) and NYU. @jaredjosephnyc

Britta Ollmann* (Mother) is thrilled to be making her Asolo Rep debut after performing the role of Mother in Ragtime with Theater Latté Da in Minneapolis. Her regional credits also include Sunday in the Park with George at the Guthrie Theater; A Catered Affair at The Old Globe; Daddy Long Legs and Red Velvet with freeFall Theatre Company; Sister Act at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres; Into the Woods and Violet with Theater Latté Da, and others. Britta made her Broadway debut in Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair. www.BrittaOllmann.com

Peter Rothstein (Director) works extensively as a director of theater, musical theater, opera and new work development. He is the Founding Artistic Director of Theater Latté Da, a Twin Cities-based company dedicated to adventurous musical theater. Other directing credits include the Guthrie, Children's Theatre Company, Minnesota Opera, Ten Thousand Things, Utah Shakespeare Festival and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. He is the creator of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. He has been awarded seven Ivey Awards for overall excellence and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Theatre Communications Group, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the McKnight Foundation. Peter holds a BA in Music and Theater from St. John's University and an MFA in Directing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. www.Peter-Rothstein.com

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PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

The Scoop
One hour prior to every performance of RAGTIME

Arrive one hour before curtain to hear the ideas and inspirations that contributed to the making of RAGTIME (Opening Night, May 4, is excluded.)

Tuesday Talkbacks Every Tuesday throughout the run Asolo Rep's Mezzanine

Join us for an intimate post-show discussion with featured actors or guests following every Tuesday performance of RAGTIME.

Meet the Actors
Sunday, May 13
Asolo Rep's Mertz Theatre

Immediately following the 2pm matinee, ask questions and learn more from members of the cast in a facilitated discussion.

RAGTIME IllumiNation Event
Wednesday, May 16 at 6:30pm
Pre-show reception and post-show community conversation held on the Mezzanine
Performance in the Mertz Theatre
Contact Asolo Rep's Box Office for series package information and single performance tickets.

A stimulating series of theatre and conversation exploring the topical and social themes threaded throughout our season. IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a conversation.

IllumiNation is sponsored by Morton's Gourmet Market & Catering, Observer Media Group, and Capstan Financial Consulting Group

OUT@AsoloRep: RAGTIME
Thursday, May 17 at 6:30pm; show starts at 7:30pm
Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Contact Asolo Rep's Box Office for subscription and ticket information

Now in its eighth season, OUT@AsoloRep is Sarasota's premier cultural event connecting local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities with fantastic theatre. Enjoy a pre-show reception and learn about participating LGBT organizations, and gain personal insight into RAGTIME from the creative team and cast members.

OUT@AsoloRep is sponsored by Morton's Gourmet Market & Catering, CAN Community Health and Sabal Palm Bank.

Tickets for RAGTIME and the entire 2017-18 Asolo Repertory Theatre season are on sale now. Tickets for RAGTIME start at $27.

To purchase tickets, call 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, visit www.asolorep.org, or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre. Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts.

The Box Office is open Monday 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Thursday 10am - 7:30pm, Friday - Saturday 10am - 8pm, and Sunday 10am - 2pm. The box office closes at 5pm when there are no evening performances and phone lines close one hour prior to the start of any performance. Season subscription packages are also available online and by visiting or calling the box office.

ABOUT ASOLO REP

Now in its 59th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep's highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep's ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations.

For more information, visit www.asolorep.org

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