Opera Montana is set to present Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s timely theatre showpiece Ragtime late this month. Performances will take place January 23rd through February 1st. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7pm, with Sunday matinees to follow at 3pm. All will be held at Downtown Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre.
Based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctrow, Ahren’s and Flaherty’s Ragtime is a compelling epic capturing the American experience at the turn of the 20th century. Tracking three diverse families in pursuit of the American dream in the volatile “melting pot” of turn-of-the-century New York, Ragtime confronts the dialectic contradictions inherent in American reality: experiences of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair.
Over the course of the show, the worlds of a wealthy white couple, a Jewish immigrant father and his motherless daughter, and an African American ragtime musician intertwine. Together, they discover the surprising interconnections of the human heart, the limitations of justice and the unsettling consequences when dreams are permanently deferred.
Featuring many of the historical figures that built and shaped turn-of-the-century America, including J.P. Morgan, Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit and Henry Ford, this musical sweeps across the diversity of the American experience to create a stirring epic that captures the beats of the American experience: the marches, the cakewalks and – of course, the ragtime [StageAgent].
Under the stage direction of Francesca Zambello, Ragtime features a robust cast of performers and choral artists with the help of a talented backstage creative team.
Tickets for these performances are available for purchase now. To reserve seats for Ragtime, or any other upcoming performance, visit www.operamontana.org.
Opera Montana, established in 1978, enriches the cultural landscape through the powerful artistry of opera. Committed to fostering appreciation and accessibility, the local nonprofit showcases exceptional performances, nurtures emerging talent and engages diverse audiences. •
