Ragtime announces full cast

The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty�s Tony Award winning musical Ragtime has announced complete casting of its 40 member company.

Based on the epic E.L. Doctorow novel, the recent acclaimed John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts production features direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, and a 28-piece orchestra led by musical director James Moore.

The Broadway company will star Ron Bohmer (Father), Quentin Earl Darrington (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.), Christiane Noll (Mother), Robert Petkoff (Tateh), Bobby Steggert (Mother�s Younger Brother), Stephanie Umoh (Sarah) with Christopher Cox (The Little Boy), Sarah Rosenthal (The Little Girl), Mark Aldrich (Willie Conklin), Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Henry Ford), Jonathan Hammond (Harry Houdini), Dan Manning (Grandfather), Michael X. Martin (J.P. Morgan), Michael McGowan (Stanford White), Donna Migliaccio (Emma Goldman), Josh Walden (Harry K. Thaw), Savannah Wise (Evelyn Nesbit) and Eric Jordan Young (Booker T. Washington).

The 40 member cast will also feature Sumayya Ali, Terence Archie, Corey Bradley, Jayden Brockington, Benjamin Cook, Carey Brown, Jennifer Evans, Carly Hughes, Lisa Karlin, Valisia LeKae, James Moye, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Mamie Parris, Bryonha Parham, Nicole Powell, Kaylie Robinaccio, Arbender J. Robinson, Benjamin Schrader, Wallace Smith, Catherine Walker, Jim Weaver and Kylil Williams.

Ragtime will open at the Neil Simon Theatre on 15 Nov 2009, following previews from 23 Oct and is selling tickets through to 25 Apr 2010.

Ragtime will be produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Roy Furman, Max Cooper, Roger Berlind, Tom Kirdahy/Devlin Elliott, Jeffrey A. Sine, Scott Delman, Stephanie McClelland, Roy Miller, LAMS Productions, Inc., Jana Robbins, Wendy Federman, Jamie deRoy, Sheila Steinberg, Lauren Stevens, Eric Falkenstein/Morris Berchard, Independent Producers Network, HRH Foundation and Emanuel Azenberg in association with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Marcia Milgrom Dodge�s production debuted at the Kennedy Center�s Eisenhower Theater on 18 Apr 2009 and played a sold out limited engagement through 17 May 2009.

The award winning production team includes scenic design by Derek McLane, original costume design by Santo Loquasto, lighting design by Donald Holder, musical direction by James Moore and original orchestrations by William David Brohn.

Based on E.L. Doctorow's acclaimed epic novel, Ragtime turns back the clock to the dawn of the 20th century - a time when anything was possible and ragtime music filled the air. New York City was the land of opportunity. A poor Jewish immigrant sells his "moving picture" books on the street. A wealthy Victorian couple welcomes a runaway into their home. A Harlem jazz pianist turns an issue of justice into a revolution. Their personal journeys come alive as historic figures offer guidance and diversion - among them escape artist Harry Houdini, auto tycoon Henry Ford, educator Booker T. Washington, and infamous entertainer Evelyn Nesbit. Together, their stories celebrate the struggle between tradition and independence all in pursuit of the American dream.

Ragtime originally opened on Broadway on 18 Jan 1998 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The musical garnered four Tony Awards including Best Book, Original Score and Best Orchestrations.

Ahrens and Flaherty's score features some of the award winning team�s best-known songs including the title song, 'Make Them Hear You' and the anthem 'The Wheels of a Dream.'

Bios

Ron Bohmer's (Father) played 'Father' when the show premiered in Washington. Broadway credits include playing 'Sir Percival Glyde' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Woman In White, ' 'Percy Blakeney' in 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' 'Fyedka' in 'The Fiddler on the Roof' and 'Enjolras' in 'Les Mis�rables.'

Quentin Earl Darrington (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) is making his Broadway debut with the musical, reprising the role he created in the show's Washington DC premiere.

Christine Noll (Mother) is reprising her role. Broadway credits include 'It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues' and 'Jekyll & Hyde.' Film: The King & I (Singing Anna). Noll made her Opera debut at the Washington National Opera, opposite Placido Domingo.

Robert Petkoff (Tateh) is new to the production. His Broadway credits are 'Spamalot,' 'Fiddler on the Roof 'with Alfred Molina and 'Epic Proportions.' He has appeared in London's West End in 'The Royal Family' with Judi Dench.

Bobby Steggert (Mother�s Younger Brother) reprises the role he originated in the Kennedy Center production. He appeared alongside Audra McDonald in the Broadway revival of '110 in the Shade,' and understudied the role of 'Hally' in 'Master Harold�and the boys.'

Stephanie Umoh (Sarah) is new to the show and is making her Broadway debut. NYC workshops & reading include: 'Tin Pan Alley Rag' (Freddie/Treemonisha) at The Roundabout Theater Company, 'Bonnie and Clyde' (Mona) at the Westside Theater and 2008 NYMF, 'Luck!' at The York Theater and 'Time After Time.' She has received an Elliot Norton Award nomination for Outstanding Musical Performance and an IRNE Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in Boston. Umoh has also appeared as a Featured Soloist with The Boston Pops Orchestra .

Christopher Cox (The Little Boy), 12 years old, is making his Broadway debut reprising the role he created in the Kennedy Center production.

Sarah Rosenthal (The Little Girl), 13, is also making making her Broadway debut reprising the role she created in the Kennedy Center production.

Jonathan Hammond (Harry Houdini) is making his Broadway debut in Ragtime, reprising the role he played at the Kennedy Center. He originated the role of 'Giuseppe' in the National Tour of The Lincoln Center production of 'The Light In The Piazza.'

Donna Migliaccio (Emma Goldman) is reprising the role she played at John F. Kennedy Center.

Savannah Wise (Evelyn Nesbitt) is new to the production. Wise currently stars on Broadway playing 'Sherrie' in 'Rock of Ages,' she has also played 'Young Cosette' in Les Mis�rables.

Eric Jordan Young (Booker T. Washington) is reprising the role he played at John F. Kennedy Center. Young played 'Pas de Deux' in the original Broadway production of 'Ragtime.' His other Broadway credits include 'Chicago' (Billy Flynn, Amos Hart), 'Seussical the Musical' (Wickersham Brother) and 'The Look of Love.'