Virtual schedule Production of
RAGTIME
April 16 - May 28
Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and Book by Terrence McNally
Based on the 1975 novel Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow
*Trigger Warning: Please be advised this production contains racist and offensive language, physical violence, and murder. The presentation and discussion of systemic racism and historical inequities for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), immigrants, and females during the early 1900s may be difficult and traumatic to experience. Viewer discretion is advised.
How to watch the show?
About the Show
“In 1902 Father built a house at the crest of the Broadway Avenue hill in New Rochelle, New York.” And thus begins the story of E.L. Doctorow’s classic tale, Ragtime. The century spun in the summer heat with women in white and sturdy young men at the oar. This was the era of Black American educator Booker T. Washington, bank tycoon J. P. Morgan, anarchist and activist Emma Goldman, and the Ford Model T. Theodore Roosevelt was president, Evelyn Nesbit and Harry Houdini were the stars of the century, and the music of something beginning lingered in the air. The propelling momentum of change brings strangers to collide as African Americans from Harlem, White suburbanites of New Rochelle, New York, and Eastern European Immigrants wrestle with American idealism and the haunting melodies of inevitable transformation. Set in the early 1900s, this 1998 Tony Award-winning musical is based on a novel of historical fiction written in 1975. With themes of racial inequities, police brutality, racism, immigration, and feminism, the contents of the story gush with a conversation that is unfortunately still relevant 100 years later.
Scheduled Virtual Dates: April 16, 22, 24, 30, May 7, 8, 14, 21, 22, 24, 28 at 7:30 PM ET and April 18, May 2, 16, 30 at 3:00 PM ET
Location: Watching this online version of Ragtime is only available as scheduled content on the website ShowTix4u. With the purchase of a ticket, you will be given a viewing link and a unique access code to stream the film to one device connected to the internet. See “Additional Info” below.
Additional Info About Online Scheduled Content: Art 4 is excited to bring you a completely virtual way to view regional professional theatre from the safety of your own home. This pre-recorded musical production was filmed in South Bend March 19-21 and is now ready to be streamed directly to your iPad, iPhone, or laptop. Due to musical licensing rights, the production may only be watched on select dates and times and is only available from the website ShowTix4u. Therefore, your "virtual show ticket" to experience Art 4's production of Ragtime is only valid for the exact date and time listed on your ticket. Watch the video tutorial above to learn some quick tips on how to be prepared and ready to enjoy Ragtime with your friends and family.
Although we cannot be together for a live performance at this time, we hope you sit forward, engage, and travel virtually with us to the turn of the century.
The Cast & Crew
Elizabeth Schleicher………Mother
Ian Williams…………………….Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
Patrick Byrnes…………………Tateh
Mark Torma……………………..Father
Joe Lewis…………………………Younger Brother
Sarah Bonds……………………Sarah
Corin Shepley………………….The Little Boy
Poppy Dee Kendall…………The Little Girl
Derek Bacon…………………..J.P. Morgan, Reporter, Conductor, Fan
Roy Bronkema………………..Grandfather, Judge, Man, Umpire, Witman
Pierre Cooks…………………..Matthew Henson, Harlem Man, Immigrant
Olivia Copsey…………………Baron’s Assistant
Hannah Efsits…………………Emma Goldman, Immigrant, New Rochelle Ensemble
Daniel Grey…………………….Henry Ford, Fire Man, White Attorney
Joe B Russo……………………Willie Conklin, Admiral Peary
Kathryn Hein…………………..Kathleen, Second Bureaucrat, Welfare Official
Mark Albin………………………Harry Houdini, Immigrant
Mandy Hull……………………..Brigit, A Clerk
Emma Kopec…………………..Evelyn Nesbit, Immigrant, New Rochelle Ensemble
Laurisa LeSure………………..Sarah’s Friend, Immigrant
Connor Roberts………………Newspaper Boy, Immigrant, New Rochelle Ensemble
Nick Rogers……………………..Policeman, Town Hall Bureaucrat, Reporter
Jalen Tobar………………………Black Lawyer, Coalhouse Follower, Immigrant
Danae Watson…………………Harlem Ensemble, Immigrant
Antwon Williams, Sr………..Booker T. Washington
Vocal Ensemble:
Sarah Bonds, Pierre Cooks, Olivia Copsey, Hannah Efsits, Daniel Grey, Mandy Hull, Emma Kopec, Laurisa LeSure, Joe Lewis, Connor Roberts, Nick Rogers, Jalen Tobar, Danae Watson
Mark Albin…………………………Director & Choreographer
Aaron Albin……………………….Music Director
Grace Lazarz……………………..Production Manager
Veronica Vanoverbeke…….Production Assistant
Emily Chidalek………………….Costume Designer
Mandy Hull………………………..Costume Assistant
Olivia Copsey……………………Costume Assistant
Tyrus Tucker………………………Sound Designer
Christian Griffith……………….Director of Photography
Nathan Phillips………………….Camera Operator
Olivia Copsey…………………....Social Media Specialist
Elizabeth Schleicher, Mother
Elizabeth is thrilled to be singing the role of Mother with Art 4. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she is a graduate of Otterbein University and Northwestern University with degrees in Vocal Performance. Previously a member of the Chicago Lyric Opera chorus, she has sung in productions of Lohengrin, Boris Godunov, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Recent roles include Mimi in La Boheme, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, and the Sandman/Dew Fairy in Hansel & Gretel with South Bend Lyric Opera. Elizabeth enjoys concert work and has appeared as a soloist with the St. Louis Symphony, South Bend Symphony and a number of choral groups in the midwest. Elizabeth has sung with Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Grant Park Music Festival Chorus. She is on the voice faculty at St. Mary’s College and maintains a private studio in South Bend. Elizabeth typically portrays the role of mother to Evelyn, Dorothy, and Benjamin and the role of wife to Daniel.
Ian Williams, Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
A native of Indianapolis, Ian Williams is thrilled to have his South Bend debut for Art 4's production of Ragtime!! He is an alum of the University of Michigan (BMA '15, BTA '15) and currently lives in Fort Wayne, IN, where he works as a Principal Vocal Artist for Heartland Sings, Inc. In the past few years, Ian has appeared onstage with solo artists like Les Misérables legend J. Mark McVey, and ensembles like the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He also is a co-founder of Opera on Tap Fort Wayne where he works to bring local singers together and present operatic concerts for audiences in unusual venues (like bars). In his spare time he enjoys cooking, exercising, and playing his PS4. He wants to thank Art 4 for being dedicated to putting on this production during the pandemic, as well as his family, friends, and mentors for helping him get to where he is now! He hopes that the lessons from this show serve as a reminder of where we came from, and where we still need to go!
Patrick Byrnes, Tateh
Chicago-Based actor. Recent credits: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (u/s) at Steppenwolf Theatre, Casa Valentina at Pride Films and Plays, Frost/Nixon at Redtwist Theatre, Marie Christine and Amadeus at Boho Theatre, Far From Heaven, Marry Me a Little (u/s), and Porchlight Revisits: On a Clear Day... at Porchlight Music Theatre, Titanic at Griffin Theatre, Assassins at Kokandy Productions, Peter and the Starcatcher at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, A Marvin Hamlisch Songbook at Theo Ubique, Mahal at Bailiwick Chicago, Sunday in the Park with George (u/s) at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and A Twist of Water (u/s) at Route 66 Theatre. Patrick is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.
Mark Torma, Father
Mark has appeared in theatrical productions in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Canton, Ohio, and with various performing arts groups in the Michiana region, including the South Bend Civic Theatre, the Elkhart Civic Theatre, Premier Arts, the Acting Ensemble, and the South Bend Chamber Singers. Some of his more notable roles have included Franz Liebkind in The Producers, Pappy Yokum in Li’l Abner, Edward Rutledge in 1776, Adam Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Stossel in The Christmas Schooner, and Marvin the Paranoid Android in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. When he's not rehearsing, he can often be found working as the Director of the Volunteer Lawyer Network, part of Pro Bono Indiana, the statewide organization that gets lawyers to do their professional duty of providing pro bono legal services. He is married to Charmaine, and has two children, Matthew and Chiara. This is his first performance with Art 4, and he is thrilled to have this opportunity.
Joe Lewis, Younger Brother
Joe ecstatically joins this stellar cast in his first performance with Art 4! Recent Credits: Something Rotten! (Nigel Bottom) and Spring Awakening (Hanschen) with Theater Nebula; A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit/Mr. Fezziwig) and The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke) with Williams Street Rep; 1776 (Courier) and The Drowsy Chaperone (George) with MadKap Productions; Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Into the Woods (Jack), and Big: The Musical (Adult Josh) with Deerfield Family Theater. Many thanks to the Art 4 team for this opportunity!
Sarah Bonds, Sarah
Sarah is a current BFA musical theater soon at Columbia College Chicago in Chicago Illinois. She is a graduate of Chicago Highschool for the arts (Musical theater) and the Merit School of Music TFC Conservatory. Between shows she enjoy sleeping, performing at open mics, cardio, attending shows of her colleagues shows, interior design and cooking. Special thanks to her parents Christopher and Zephye for always loving and supporting her no matter what.
Corin Sheply, The Little Boy
Corin is a 13 years old and a 7th grade student at John Young Middle School. His previous roles have included Noah in Caroline or Change (South Bend Civic Theatre), The Artful Dodger in Oliver! (South Bend Civic Theatre) and Mamillius in Winter’s Tale (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival). Corin would like to thank the directors for the opportunity and his family to continue to “consider the opportunities” to create in all forms.
Poppy Dee Kendall, The Little Girl
Poppy Dee is in the third grade and is passionate about nature, art, and music. She is a student at The Community School of the Arts at Goshen College. She plays the ukulele, violin, and piano. Since the age of three, Poppy Dee has done voiceovers and commercials. She loves being a member of the Goshen Theater Drama Club. Poppy Dee made her (online) theater debut this past fall, as Little Girl & Time in MuMonday's reading of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Everybody (Mu Theater). She enjoys being a youth ambassador for Earth Charter Indiana. During shelter-in-place, Poppy Dee launched her YouTube show, Earth Day is Everyday. She is super excited to make her Art 4 debut in this special production of Ragtime! Poppy Dee thanks her family for always supporting her adventures! @poppydeekendall
