New York University President Emeritus Jay Oliva will host a roundtable discussion on the making of the musical “Ragtime,” featuring Ragtime author E.L. Doctorow and the librettist Terrence McNally, on Wed., Feb. 4, 6-7:30 p.m. at NYU’s Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The discussion will also include lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty as well as the following members of the original Broadway production: Marty Bell, producer, Graciela Daniele, choreographer, and Peter Friedman, cast member (“Tateh”). Doctorow holds the Lewis and Loretta Brennan Glucksman Chair of English and American Letters at NYU.
# WHAT: “Ragtime Conversation: The Making of the Musical”
# WHO: E.L. Doctorow, Terrence McNally, Jay Oliva, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, Marty Bell, Graciela Daniele, and Peter Friedman
# WHEN: Wed., Feb. 4, 6-7:30 p.m.
# WHERE: Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South)
Tickets, which should be purchased at the door, are $5 and free for seniors and students or alumni with a valid NYU card.
Reporters interested in attending the conversation should contact James Devitt at (212) 998-6808 or james.devitt@nyu.edu.
NYU’s Program in Vocal Performance will present “Ragtime” between Feb. 12 and 15 at the new 865-seat Skirball Center, which is the biggest theater in Manhattan south of 42nd Street. The performance will feature 70 actors and musicians from the Steinhardt School of Education’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at NYU. “Ragtime,” which will include Oliva playing the role of “Grandfather,” runs Feb. 12-14 at 8 p.m. and Feb.15 at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets for the performance are $20 or $10 with a valid NYU identification. For information and tickets, please contact the Skirball Center Box Office at (212) 992-8484 or visit www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu. Tickets can also be purchased at the Skirball Center Box Office Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1:00 to 6:00 PM.