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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Georgia>The Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Department, in collaboration with the Music Department, proudly presents <B><I>Ragtime: the Musical,</I></B> book by Terrance McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics By Lynn Ahrens.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Georgia><B><I>Ragtime</I></B> is a celebration of the new music of turn of the 20<SUP>th</SUP> century, where Americans of every walk of life intersect with each other and history.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It draws upon traditional Jewish folk sounds to color the haunting music and yearning lyrics of the immigrants, Vaudeville’s outrageous style to capture the spectacle of Evelyn Nesbit, and Joplin and Jazz to invoke the enlivened spirit of Harlem.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Nominated for 13 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and winner of 4 Tony Awards in 1998, <I>Ragtime</I> is based on the best selling novel by E.L. Doctorow, a book that has been a part of the Shaker Heights High School English Department curriculum for the past 20 years.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please note, this production is being produced in its original and unedited form and contains</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Directed by Cleveland theatre artist and Department Chair Christine McBurney with Music Direction by Dr. Robert Schneider, the production features more than 120 students in a variety of roles ranging from performers, to musicians, managers, designers and fundraisers. Among the 17 adult staff members involved in this production are, Erik Johnson (Co-Producer), Wendy Lynne and Matt Thornton ‘92, (Movement Specialists), Donna Dehn (Pit Orchestra Conductor), Pam Corbin (Choreographer), Deirdriu Ring (Dialect Coach), Chuck Tisdale (Technical Designer), and Joel Rathbone (Adult Stage Manager).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=Georgia>Performances of <B><I>Ragtime</I></B> are at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 4<SUP>th</SUP>, Friday, December 5<SUP>th</SUP>, and Saturday December 6<SUP>th</SUP>, 2008. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=Georgia>At Shaker Heights High School in the newly restored and renovated Large Auditorium (15911 Aldersyde Dr). </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=Georgia>Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior adults, and may be purchased by calling the 24 Hour box office at 216-295-4287.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Georgia>Named a center of excellence by the National Council of Teachers of English, Shaker Theatre includes daily classes and a production season including four mainstage performances and three “showcase” performances and events.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Georgia>For more information, please call 216-295-4281.</FONT></P></FONT></DIV>
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