Bartlett High School does ambitious ‘Ragtime’

“Ragtime” is an epic tale of a young America played out in song and dance. At the dawn of the century, everything is changing — and anything is possible.

Based on E.L. Doctorow’s celebrated novel and set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, “Ragtime” weaves together three distinctly American tales — that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring, young Harlem musician — united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future.

Their personal journeys come alive as historic figures offer guidance and diversion — among them escape artist Harry Houdini, auto tycoon Henry Ford, educator Booker T. Washington and infamous entertainer Evelyn Nesbit.

The Tony Award-winning score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is just as diverse as the “Melting Pot of America” that it seeks to recreate, drawing upon traditional Jewish folk sounds, vaudeville and Scott Joplin to invoke the enlivened spirit of Harlem.

“Ragtime” plays at the Bartlett High School Auditorium April 19-22.

It features a company of more than 100 students, including Mary DeWitt, Caleb Hasan, Kenneth Gonzales, Alexis Mason, Nicholas Petrelli, Chandler Lanham, Alyssa Chevere, Catalina Faczek, Nicholas Gaines, Allysa Galloni, Joshua Howell, Matthew Howell, Michael O’Malley, Thomas McCarty, Dina Muzzalupo, Damon Rager, Jason Vences and Christopher Wegner.

The large ensemble includes Daniel Almquist, Adalys Alvarado, Lucille Avendano, Carly Bain, Amanda Bartel, Samantha Biringer, Dolores Brazunias, Andrew Brhel, Ryan Bruchert, Daniel Bucek, Jacqueline Busman, Cora Butler, Jennifer Cammelot, Carlee Campbell, Lauren Cannici, Kelly Cannon, Genesis Castillo, Larissa Castillo, Naomi Chavez, Tyler Christensen, Angelica Chumra, Jessica Ciupka, Kelisha Cokley, Molly DeWitt, Rubi Duarte, Nicholas Dungey, Victoria Fernandez, Andrea Fico, Lena Fico, Arissa Fiedler, Shannon Flores, Ashley Foston, Heidi Gaenzle, Toni Garcia, Sam Giese, Shay Gilligan, Robert Gomez, Katie Gongola, Rachel Green, Amanda Harper, Tiffany Harris, Jessica Heiderscheidt, Natalie Hilvert, Rachel Holderman, Sabina Hunter, Seraphina Hunter, Max Ibbarrientos, Brie Israel, Matthew Janczak, A.J. Johnson, Alec Johnson, Kelly Johnson and Kyle Johnson.

Also, Amaan Khan, Corey Kirkendoll, Collin Klein, Jacqueline Klein, Jessica Kolber, Roxana Kolber, Madeline Koldos, Ariella Lombardi, Tabatha Los, Jessica Mancera, Ashley Martinez, Garrett Mayberry, Maggie Mazurek, Madeline McCue, Porsha McJefferson, Alycia McWhorter, A.J. Milledge II, Rachele Minasola, Shinera Moncure, Tichina Moncure, Joshua Morris, Sherriana Mosley, Tamara Neal, Sara Neziri, Christopher Nguyen, Lynne Noel, Sarah Nolimal, Maureen O’Neill, Aleesha Parent, Christopher Perkins, Alex Piedra, Hannah Poli, Amanda Potas, Denise Rager, Carmen Ramirez, Paola Rivera, De’Angleo Robinson, Antonio Rodriguez, Elie Rogers, Dan Saucedo, Emily Schlitter, Sarah Schwartz, Kristen Siciliano, Desi Smith, Brittany Soltis, Jaron Stevenson, Tiffany Sutton, Zachary Svoboda, Chancey Tate, Alexander VanMaldegiam, Colin Wadelin, Ashley Walker, Kahlial Washburn, Anna Wedolowski, Sabrina Wells, Hubert Zarraga, and Nathaniel Zbasnik.

The production staff is led by Music Director Brian Kowalski, Stage and Technical Director Jeff Linamen, Producer Aimee Riddle, Producer and Vocal Director Gay Rupert and Choreographer Marsha Vanek.

Additional staff support is provided by Linda Baker, Bobby Braun, Rebecca Lee Peterson, Virginia Strong and Mimi Warwick.