Possum Point Players’ production of ‘Ragtime’ selling out

Possum Point Players will complete a year of reprised shows chosen to celebrate the community theater’s 50th anniversary with the award-winning musical “Ragtime.” The production is sponsored by Kim Benton, State Farm Insurance.

Following early high demand, remaining tickets for “Ragtime” are available only for shows on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16, and Sept. 22 and 23. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. For ticket availability or to be placed on a wait list for sold-out matinees, call 302-856-4560.

Possum Hall is at 441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown. Free parking is available, and all seats are reserved in the air-conditioned theater.

“Ragtime” is directed by Kenney Workman, who also directed the first Possums’ production in 2011. The cast of 48 comes from 15 communities in Delaware and Salisbury, Md.

“Ragtime” takes place at the dawn of a new century in America, wneh everything is changing, and some dare to dream that 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. All are 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.

Area actors of all ages portray the characters in E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel of the same name that led to the musical. Many historic characters, including Henry Ford, Booker T. Washington, Emma Goldman and J.P. Morgan share the story with the author’s fictional creations. On Broadway in 1998, “Ragtime” won Tony Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations.

Several local actors have commented on some parallel issues that arose in 1906 and those that arise now. “Ragtime” shows cultures clashing, and differences in status and opportunity that may exist in some ways today.

Summing up what many cast members feel and express in performing “Ragtime,” Pamella Taylor said, “We are all the same ... the human race, and we should respect one another regardless of how we feel about someone who is different from us.”

For more information, go to possumpointplayers.org.