
RAGTIME THE MUSICAL
Book by Terrence McNally
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Jonathan Mulberg
Produced by Kimberly Fry
Based on the novel, Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
July 29-31, August 5-7, & August 12-14, 2022
See our casting call for a few more actors to round out our cast. Deadline is May 20.
This musical contains words of a racially sensitive nature and may not be appropriate for all audiences.
This sweeping musical portrait of early-twentieth-century America tells the story of three families in pursuit of the American Dream.
Written by the award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Once on This Island, Seussical and Lucky Stiff), noted playwright Terrence McNally, and based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel, Ragtime is the winner of the 1998 Tony Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations, and both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score. Called by TIME Magazine "A triumph for the stage," and by the International Herald Tribune "the best musical in twenty years," this acclaimed musical is filled with pageantry, emotion and hope, bursting onto the stage like no other musical.
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing… and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together – that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.
The Tony-winning score is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself, drawing upon many musical styles, from the ragtime rhythms of Harlem and Tin Pan Alley to the klezmer of the Lower East Side, from bold brass band marches to delicate waltzes, from up-tempo banjo tunes to period parlor songs and expansive anthems. A truly unique and powerful portrait of America, Ragtime is sure to inspire actors and audiences alike!
Meet the Cast
![]() Kareem TaylorKareem Taylor (Coalhouse Walker Jr.) is a Computer Engineer from South Carolina currently residing in Sterling, VA. Some of his previous credits include Curtis Jackson in Sister Act (PWLT), George in Godspell (SP), J.B. Biggley in How To Succeed... (SP), ensemble in Sweeney Todd (SP), and ensemble in Beauty and The Beast (SP). | ![]() Abbie MulbergAbbie is thrilled to be joining Sterling Playmakers to bring this amazing story to life. Some favorite past roles include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (CRT), Laurey Williams in Oklahoma! (PWLT), Abigail Adams in 1776 (PTP), and Marian Paroo in The Music Man (CRT). | ![]() Jim Bowen-CollinsonJim Bowen-Collinson (Tateh) is thrilled to be a part of this incredible show. A South Jersey native, Jim has been performing in various operas and musicals in the NOVA area. Favorite credits: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere; SP), How to Succeed… (Bud Frump; SP), Sister Act (Joey; PWLT). |
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![]() Chris GrayChris is a long time performer in the region and is thrilled to be working with Sterling Playmakers again! Some favorite roles include Harold Hill in The Music Man, Caractacus in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cornelius in Hello Dolly, Tommy in Brigadoon and Bobby in Company. | ![]() Christian Rodgers | ![]() Ahryel Tinker |
![]() Dana RobertsDana Roberts is thrilled to be a part of Ragtime in one of her dream roles, Emma Goldman. Favorite roles include Oliver! as Widow Corney (SP). and Sweeney Todd as Ensemble/Mrs. Lovett understudy (RP). She lives in Leesburg with her husband, Brian, and two beagles, Riley and Paisley. | ![]() Carson Hopkins | ![]() Maggie WattsMaggie is thrilled to be returning to the stage in her first production with the incredible Sterling Playmakers as Miss Evelyn Nesbit! With many stage credits, Ragtime has to be the most exciting one yet! Sterling Playmakers has made the transition back to the theater seamless, welcoming actors old and new with open arms. |
![]() Douglas A. Horton | ![]() Rene Kieth FloresRene “Kieth” Flores (JP Morgan/Ensemble), last seen earlier this season in Catch Me If You Can as Roger Strong, is super excited to be part of Ragtime. Other roles of note include, Gomez Addams The Addams Family (TCP), Che Evita (SMP), the King King & I (SP) as well as ensemble in Cinderella (SS), Bright Star (LTA) and The Drowsy Chaperone (MCP). | ![]() Bob RosenbergHe can sing (and loves it)! He can dance (if necessary)! He can act (so they say)! And he's an actual grandfather! This is Bob's fifth musical venture with Sterling Playmakers (The Sound of Music, Oliver, The Music Man, Sweeney Todd) and promises to be the best yet! |
![]() Mark W. Gray-MendesMark is thrilled to return to the stage after a ten-year hiatus. He was last seen in MCP's Legally Blonde: The Musical (Warner Huntington III). When not on stage, Mark serves as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. | ![]() Marguerite Driessen | ![]() Lisa AlfordLisa is excited to be a part of Ragtime's cast. She's had a lot of fun stepping out of her comfort zone recently with Dirty Work Afoot (SP) and Jack and Jill and the Witching Well (SCTC). |
![]() Vanessa BlissVanessa is thrilled to finally be part of a musical again! This is her second show with Sterling Playmakers; her first being The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Hilda). BA in Theatre Arts, McDaniel College. She wants to thank her mentors, teachers, and parents for all their support over the years. | ![]() Kyle ChuaThis is Kyle’s first Sterling Playmakers Production! He is excited to be returning to the theatre world after two years, and he is especially excited to be inviting the world of Ragtime into his life. | ![]() Keri Church |
![]() Shelby Cody | ![]() Becky CopperComing from MinnesOHta, I’ve been getting used to life in the DMV area these past several months. I’m currently delaying my entry into “real adult world” and enjoying life as a graduate student in Public Health Nutrition at George Washington University. This is my first experience in a musical! | ![]() Claire De Angioletti |
![]() Sarah Driessen | ![]() Sally Ann FloresSally Ann Flores (Ensemble) is excited to be back with the Playmakers after appearing as Mrs. Peters in last Fall's The Social Secretary (SP). Recent ensemble roles include Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (SS) and Bright Star (LTA). Favorite roles include Miss Hannigan, Annie (ZS), Bloody Mary, South Pacific, Irene Molloy, Hello Dolly (CRT), and the Queen of Hearts, Alix in Wonderland (CT). | ![]() Juliette Marsh |
![]() Katie Marsh | ![]() Victoria Alicia MilbourneVictoria is elated to make her theatre debut in ‘Ragtime’ with Sterling Playmakers. She grew up in Salisbury, MD, performing at her hometown church and high school. Victoria is excited to return to the stage for such an important and poignant show. | ![]() D'Andre Stewart |
RAGTIME is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Meet The Production Team

Jonathan Mulberg
Director

Kimberly Fry
Producer

Lauren Baker
Assistant Director