Civic Theatre has been a resident company of the Center for the Performing Arts since its 2011 opening, but it is about to make its first appearance inside the Palladium.
“Civic in Concert: Ragtime,” a fundraiser, is set for 7 p.m. March 2 and 2 p.m. March 3 at the Palladium in Carmel.
Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael Lasley said Civic Theatre has long wanted to bring a fitting production to the 1,600-seat concert hall.
“Our only performance on the Palladium stage was during a tuning event in the fall of 2010 before it even opened to the public,” Lasley said. “The main driver behind this production is as a fundraiser. As a nonprofit theater, we are always looking for unique or special opportunities to showcase our talent and capture the interest and imagination of new patrons as well as to garner more support from our long-standing benefactors.
“To be able to bring such a dynamic performance to this beautiful room is something we hope to add to every season for the foreseeable future as a fundraiser.”
The cast features some familiar names, including Zionsville resident Mikayla Koharchik, who plays Mother, representing the wealthy white enclave of New Rochelle, N.Y. Plainfield resident Steve Kruze plays Tateh, representing the group of European immigrants that came primarily through Ellis Island. Allen Sledge, who is new to the Civic stage, portrays Coalhouse Walker, the leader of the Harlem ensemble.
The Palladium stage allows for a 30-piece orchestra along with a cast of more than 60.
Lasley said the concert format is the entirety of the stage show and includes the dialogue and music as written for the stage.”
“The main difference is that the staging is minimal, costumes are minimal and there is no choreography to speak of,” Lasley said. “The great thing about a concert presentation is it allows us to focus on the tremendous music, both vocal and orchestral. Also, we’d never be able to have so many voices on stage.”
For more, visit civictheatre.org.
