Nichelle Lewis Joins City Center's Ragtime As "Sarah"

90th Annual Drama League Awards

Photo: Getty Images North America

Nichelle Lewis will join the cast of the Annual Gala Presentation of Ragtime as Sarah.  Joaquina Kalukango is no longer able to perform due to scheduling conflicts. Directed by Tony nominee Lear deBessonet with music direction by James Moore and choreography by Ellenore ScottRagtime runs from October 30 to November 10, 2024. The production features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Adam Honoré, and sound design by Kai Harada.

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. (Joshua Henry) and his sweetheart Sarah (Nichelle Lewis); a wealthy white family led by Mother (Caissie Levy); and Latvian immigrant Tateh (Brandon Uranowitz) along with his Little Girl (Tabitha Lawing). This sweeping, powerful musical adaptation of the E.L. Doctorow novel features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally

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 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.

Casting for Ragtime is by The Telsey Office/Craig Burns, CSA.

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. New York City Center is located at 131 W 55th St between Sixth and Seventh avenues. Gala packages for the October 30 benefit start at $2,500. For more details, contact SpecialEvents@NYCityCenter.org or call 212.763.1205. 

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 Amsterdam News, the Tenement Museum, and the Urban League; 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.  

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

Hair & Wig Designer Tom Watson

Choreographer Ellenore Scott

Music Director James Moore

Director Lear deBessonet

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

With Nicholas Barrón, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Billy Cohen, Rheaume Crenshaw, Aerina DeBoer, Nick Gaswirth, Ta’Nika Gibson, Olivia Hernandez, Jana Djenné Jackson, David Jennings, Marina Kondo, Jeff Kready, Kai Latorre, Tiffany Mann, Morgan Marcell, Kane Emmanuel Miller, Tom Nelis, Ramone Nelson, Kent Overshown, John Rapson, Destinee Rea, Deandre Sevon, Kathy Voytko, Jacob Keith Watson, Alan Wiggins, Sharrod Williams,  Henry Witcher