Joaquina Kalukango, John Clay III, & Rodd Cyrus Join NYCC's 'RAGTIME'

Joining the cast of the New York City Center Annual Gala Presentation of Ragtime are John Clay III as Booker T. Washington, Rodd Cyrus as Harry Houdini, Matthew Lamb as The Little Boy, Tabitha Lawing as The Little Girl, and Stephanie Styles as Evelyn Nesbit. 

Most recently at City Center as Anita in Encores! Jelly’s Last Jam, Joaquina Kalukango returns to join the cast of Ragtime as Sarah. Joy Woods is no longer able to appear due to scheduling conflicts. The star-studded cast (previously announced) includes Colin Donnell (Father), Joshua Henry (Coalhouse Walker Jr.), Caissie Levy (Mother), Ben Levi Ross (Younger Brother), Shaina Taub (Emma Goldman), and Brandon Uranowitz (Tateh).

Joining the ensemble are Nicholas BarrónBriana Carlson-GoodmanBilly CohenAerina DeBoerTa’Nika GibsonOlivia Hernandez (Kathleen), Marina KondoJeff Kready (Henry Ford), Tiffany Mann (Sarah’s Friend), Morgan MarcellTom Nelis (Grandfather), Ramone NelsonKent OvershownJohn Rapson (J.P. Morgan), Destinee ReaDeandre SevonKathy VoytkoJacob Keith Watson (Willie Conklin), Alan Wiggins, and Henry Witcher.

Winner of four Tony Awards in 1998, Ragtime follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the turn of the 20th century: Black pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. and his sweetheart Sarah; a wealthy white family led by Mother; and Latvian immigrant Tateh along with his Little Girl. This sweeping, powerful musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel of the same name features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. Directed by Tony-nominated Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonetRagtime features music direction by James Moore and choreography by Ellenore Scott. The production features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Adam Honoré, and sound design by Kai Harada.

Casting for Ragtime is by The Telsey Office/Craig Burns, CSA. Additional casting to be announced.

Ragtime opens October 30 with a benefit performance followed by a gala dinner at the Ziegfeld Ballroom honoring original Ragtime Broadway cast member and City Center alum Brian Stokes Mitchell and Denise Littlefield Sobel, philanthropist and generous longtime supporter of City Center. Presented in a special two-week run through November 10, funds raised from all performances help ensure the future of City Center’s founding mission: to provide all New Yorkers affordable access to world-class performing arts.

Expanding City Center’s mission to make the arts accessible to everyone, the run of Ragtime includes a post-show Community Night (Nov 8, 7:30pm) with guests from the Tenement Museum and the Urban Civil Rights Museum, a performance offering ASL Interpretation (Nov 7 at 7:30pm), and a Lynne & Richard Pasculano Student Matinee for Grades 6 – 12 (Nov 7). For additional information visit NYCityCenter.orgCity Center Access Club is available to those 40 years of age and under and offers a limited number of $28 tickets (fees included) to City Center productions. For more information and to sign up, visit NYCityCenter.org/Access

Tickets and General Information

Tickets from $45 (fees included) can be purchased online at NYCityCenter.org, by calling 212.581.1212, or in person at the City Center Box Office (reopening Aug 19). Gala packages for the October 30 benefit start at $2,500. For more details, contact SpecialEvents@NYCityCenter.org or call 212.763.1205. New York City Center is located at 131 W 55th St between Sixth and Seventh avenues. 

Casting subject to change.

Annual Gala Presentation

Ragtime

Oct 30 – Nov 10, 2024

WEEK ONE:

Wed 6pm Gala Performance, Thu & Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2 & 7:30pm, Sun 2 & 7pm

WEEK TWO:

Wed – Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2 & 7:30pm, Sun 2 & 7pm

Book by Terrence McNally

Music by Stephen Flaherty

Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Based on the novel Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

Scenic Designer David Rockwell

Costume Designer Linda Cho

Lighting Designer Adam Honoré

Sound Designer Kai Harada

Choreographer Ellenore Scott

Music Director James Moore

Director Lear deBessonet

Featuring John Clay III, Rodd Cyrus, Colin Donnell, Joshua Henry, Joaquina Kalukango, Matthew Lamb, Tabitha Lawing, Caissie Levy, Ben Levi Ross, Stephanie Styles, Shaina Taub, and Brandon Uranowitz

With Nicholas Barrón, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Billy Cohen, Aerina DeBoer, Ta’Nika Gibson, Olivia Hernandez, Marina Kondo, Jeff Kready, Tiffany Mann, Morgan Marcell, Tom Nelis, Ramone Nelson, Kent Overshown, John Rapson, Destinee Rea, Deandre Sevon, Kathy Voytko, Jacob Keith Watson, Alan Wiggins, and Henry Witcher.

Ragtime is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Major support for New York City Center is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation. 

Support for the Ann Reinking Encores! Choreography Fellowship is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Peter Talbert in honor of Ann Reinking.

Community Nights are made possible by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation Fund in the New York Community Trust.