Special to Independent Newsmedia<\/p>\n
Arizona Musicfest will expand beyond its traditional North Scottsdale borders with its second musical theater collaboration with the Herberger Theater Center.<\/p>\n
Following the success of last season\u2019s staging of \u201cCarousel: A Concert,\u201d the 35-year-old arts organization will produce \u201cRagtime: The Musical\u201d on the downtown Phoenix stage. The show will April 24-26.<\/p>\n
The production will feature guest Broadway stars, top musical theater performers from the Valley, and the Musicfest Pops Ensemble, under the direction of Musicfest Resident Artist Josh Condon. The production\u2019s stage direction is by Mark Stoddard.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to produce another musical theater masterpiece on the Herberger stage, as part of our exciting 35th anniversary season,\u201d Allan Naplan, executive and producing director and CEO, shared in a press release. \u201cA new \u2018Ragtime\u2019 production recently opened to great acclaim on Broadway, but patrons don\u2019t need to travel to NY to see outstanding Broadway talent performing this extraordinary and beloved piece of theater.\u201d<\/p>\n
Musicfest\u2019s cast features Mamie Parris, reprising her role as Mother from the 2009 Broadway revival of \u201cRagtime.\u201d Her extensive Broadway and national tour credits include Grizabella in \u201cCats,\u201d Elphaba in \u201cWicked,\u201d and Paulette in \u201cLegally Blonde.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also joining the production are Ta\u2019nika Gibson as Sarah, reprising her role from the current Broadway revival, and David R. Gordon as Tateh. Native Arizonan Sam Primack, the youngest actor to star as Evan in \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d on both Broadway and the national tour, will take on the role of Younger Brother.<\/p>\n
Rounding out the principal roles are Jane Bunting (Broadway\u2019s \u201cCome From Away\u201d) as Emma Goldman, and local Valley favorite Jesse Berger as Father.<\/p>\n
Arizona Musicfest\u2019s 35th anniversary concert season runs through April. Featured artists include Morgan Freeman, Kenny G, The Righteous Brothers, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, vocal jazz sensation Samara Joy, and more.<\/p>\n