Ragtime: A Concert Performance,

You are cordially invited to Ragtime: A Concert Performance.

Please join Arts Commons, Theatre Calgary, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra for a one-of-a-kind concert performance, Ragtime: A Concert Performance, a timeless story about the struggles and triumphs of immigrant communities. This show is appropriate for ages 14+

What is Ragtime? Ragtime is a musical theatre show that follows three vastly different families in search of the American Dream in New York at the turn of the century: African Americans in Harlem, Eastern European immigrants in the Lower East Side, and upper-class Whites in New Rochelle come across historical figures like stage magician Harry Houdini, car tycoon Henry Ford, activist Booker T. Washington, and anarchist Emma Goldman as they navigate racism, class struggle, privilege, and police brutality. This performance is a one-of-a-kind concert directed by Theatre Calgary Artistic Director Stafford Arima and featuring the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Based on the 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow and adapted for the stage by three of the most celebrated musical theatre writers of our time, Tony Award winners Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, and the late Terrence McNally, Ragtime was nominated for 13 and won four Tony Awards in 1998 and continues to grow in appreciation as a modern Broadway masterpiece.

What is a concert performance?
A concert performance is where the actors and musicians perform only the music of the show.

This will be an exciting experience because the music in Ragtime was created by some of the most celebrated musical theatre writers of our time. The music is played by the world-class Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the singers selected for the performance are among the best you can find in Canada and the U.S.A. This performance is also taking place in the beautiful Jack Singer Concert Hall, which is one of the best sounding concert halls in North America, with a recently upgraded sound system operated by some of the best audio engineers in the business. This particular concert is also exciting because it is the world premiere of a new concert version of the stage musical – Calgary is the first city ever to hear this arrangement!

Theatre Etiquette
Here are a few things to keep in mind when attending a live performance like Ragtime:

• You are welcome to arrive in whatever clothes you feel comfortable in. Some patrons like to use the occasion to dress up, but it is not necessary. Most audience members will be wearing “business casual” but jeans or casual pants or dress is fine too.
• Please arrive BEFORE the start time (10-minutes is the minimum you will need). Live performances like these usually start no more than 5-minutes after the posted start time (or curtain time).
• If you arrive late, you may need to wait to be seated until a break in the performance (e.g. between songs). Sometimes, if you are too late you will not be allowed into the theatre because it will disturb those who are already there.
• Have your ticket ready when you arrive at the main doors – it will be scanned by an usher and you may need it to find your seat. The ushers (staff in vests) are there to help you find your seat.
• It is important that you sit in the seat that is assigned to you – just because a seat is empty does not mean it is available. However, you can certainly ask an usher to move seats if your view is blocked.
• It is very important that you turn off your cell phone and anything else that will make sound or create light. It is considered rude to disturb other audience members around you by checking your text messages, talking on your phone, or talking to the people around you. You can do all of these things at the break – and if you must check your phone then leave the theatre and have an usher help you return to your seat. If you leave, you may not be able to return to your same seat or you may need to wait. Only leave your seat as a last-resort – again, it is considered rude to leave and come back. Going back and forth disturbs those around you.
• You are encouraged to applaud or laugh when you feel it is appropriate – everyone is in the theatre to enjoy the performance and applauding and laughing together is one of the ways we can feel connected to each other. However, please do not talk a lot during the show!

Show Details:
Name: Ragtime: A Concert Performance
Date & Times:
Friday June 10, 1:00pm – behind the scenes dress rehearsal performance. Friday June 10, 7:30pm
Saturday June 11, 2:30pm
Saturday June 11, 7:30pm

Duration: Approx. 2-hours and 30-minutes (150-minutes) including one intermission.
Location: Jack Singer Concert Hall, 225 8th Ave SE, Calgary, AB

To book your FREE ticket, please contact ICAI at: admin@icaionline.org or programs@icaionline.org 

We look forward to welcoming you to the Jack Singer Concert Hall
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Read more about this performance on the Arts Commons Website.
Read all about the history of this play on its Wikipedia page.