Dallas Summer Musicals is pleased to announce that James Hayes (age 7) and Anthony Taylor (age 5) from St. Phillip’s School & Community Center have been casted as Young Coalhouse in the upcoming Dallas engagement of the 2015/2016 National Tour “Ragtime” at the Music Hall at Fair Park May 24 – June 5.
In an initiative to elevate the arts, Dallas Summer Musicals in conjunction with Broadway World DFW and WFAA Chanel 8 have partnered up and developed a fun summer series of walk-on roles to give audiences an inside look at the life of an actor. Young Coalhouse is the sweet and innocent boy of Sarah and Coalhouse Walker, Jr. His walk-on role occurs in the final, uplifting moments of the show.
James Hayes, a Dallas native, is currently in first grade and attends St. Phillip’s School & Community Center. James loves to play the drums which he has played since he was three years old. He plays for St. Luke Children’s choir, Salem Institutional Baptist Church children’s choir, and his school’s Chapel Service every morning. James interests include basketball, drawing, collecting airplanes and he enjoys listening to music.
Anthony Taylor, a Dallas native, is currently in PK4 at St. Phillip’s School & Community Center and will be entering kindergarten in the fall. Anthony loves participating in his school theater program which he has been involved in since he was four years old. Anthony has played as part of the ensemble in St. Phillip’s School’s Destiny Musical 2016 and Christmas Musical 2015 & 2016. Anthony’s interest include dancing, singing, painting, drawing, watching plays, visiting museums, running and soccer.
“The performing arts scene in Dallas is evolving and its future has never looked brighter,” says Paulette Hopkins, DSM Director of Marketing and Patron Services. “Live theater is a magical experience and with opportunities such as this DSM seeks to continue a long tradition of investing in our youth by sparking their interest in the arts as we showcase the incredible talent Dallas has to offer while encouraging them to build their craft.”
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing…and anything is possible. “Ragtime” returns to the road in an all-new touring production that Bloomberg News hails as “explosive, thrilling and nothing short of a masterpiece.” Dallas will be swept away by this ravishing and relevant production on May 24 – June 5 at the Music Hall at Fair Park presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.
Winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Musical Score, this 13-time Tony Award nominated musical is a timeless celebration of life – what it could and should be! The Hollywood Reporter declares that “Ragtime” is “one of the best musicals of recent decades.” Its celebrated score includes “Wheels of a Dream,” “Back to Before” and the title song, “Ragtime.”
“Ragtime” features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and is based on E.L. Doctorow’s best-selling 1975 novel. Tony-nominated Director & Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge will helm the production. Scenic Design by Kevin Depinet, Lighting Design by Mike Baldassari and Sound Design by Craig Cassidy.
The stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold – set in turn-of-the-century New York – all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Their compelling stories are set to theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony Award®-winning score.
“Ragtime,” E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel, won the National Book Critics Circle award and sold 4.5 million copies. It became a film in 1981 and a Broadway musical in 1998. The original 1998 production ran on Broadway for 834 performances. A 2009 Broadway revival received rapturous reviews and is now on tour throughout North America.
The “Ragtime” tour for North America is produced by Phoenix Entertainment www.phoenix-ent.com
For more information, visit www.ragtimeontour.com
