Pop music from 100 years ago gets a replay Source: Free Range Opera Theater, Inc. Dated: Jan. 6, 2013 The recently formed Free Range Opera Theater, Inc. is presenting “Vocal Gems of the Ragtime Era” to raise seed money for their initial main-stage show. With “Irene” and all future main-stage shows, Free Range Opera will donate net proceeds from the performances to local charities. “We are inspired by the philanthropic models of both The Savoy Company in Philadelphia and Blue Hill Troupe in New York to raise funds for deserving causes while preserving our historical musical heritage,” said Free Range Opera founder Marc Kenig. Opening January 19th, “Vocal Gems of the Ragtime Era” contains enduring favorite songs along with lost gems. While enjoying the toe-tapping, lively music of the day the audience will experience a slice of life from the raucous Ragtime Era of 100 years ago. As with music today, themes of love, technology, local pride, dance, popular culture, and social issues were hot topics one hundred years ago.
Free Range Opera presents an historic sampler of songs from the ragtime era including enduring hits of the day, novelty songs, and works from stage luminaries including selections from Scott Joplin’s opera “Treemonisha” as well as songs from the 1919 Broadway hit “Irene”. Songs feature the work of composers Irving Berlin, Harry Tierney, Sigmund Romberg, Percy Wenrich, Harry Von Tilzer and others.
Special guests and well-known members of the ragtime community, Sean Sharp and Larisa Migachyov, join eight favorite theatre performers to bring these gems to the stage for your enjoyment:
• Some of These Days
• Alexander’s Ragtime Band
• Alice Blue Gown
• Bird In A Gilded Cage
• Red Rose Rag
• Come Josephine, In My Flying Machine
• I Love You, California
• Anti-Ragtime Girl
• Galli-Curci Rag
• I’m After Madame Tetrazzini’s Job
• They Go Wild, Simply Wild Over Me
• I Don’t See Your Name Stamped On Any Cigars
• A Real Slow Drag (from “Treemonisha”)
and many more!
Starring: Adrien Gleason, Carol Ann Parker, Dan Galpin, Diane Squires, Jessica Golden, Katie
Chapin, Scott White, and Tom Caldecott. Pianists: Bruce Herman, Neil Midkiff, and Paul Zawilski.
Performances & Tickets
Seats for all performances are $25
Saturday and Sunday, January 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.
The Empire Fire House
History Park in San Jose
635 Phelan Avenue, San Jose 95112
Join the cast for refreshments after the show.
Given the intimate venue, we expect tickets to sell out early!
Saturday, January 26 at 2 p.m.
Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo
300 East Santa Inez Avenue, San Mateo 94401
Join the cast for refreshments after the show.
Purchase tickets for the San Jose and San Mateo performances
Online: www.brownpapertickets.org (search for “ragtime”)
Phone: Customer Service (available 24/7) at 1-800-838-3006
Sunday, January 27 at 2:15 p.m.
Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek
1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
Purchase tickets for the Walnut Creek performance
Phone: (925) 943-SHOW (7469).
About Free Range Opera
The mission of Free Range Opera Theater, Inc. is to research, revive, and preserve our historic musical heritage including operetta, music hall, vaudeville, and musical theater…for a cause! Inspired by the charity model of both The Savoy Company in Philadelphia and Blue Hill Troupe in New York, Free Range Opera pledges to donate the profits collected from ticket sales for our main-stage operettas and musicals to a worthwhile charity chosen by a panel at the start of each production cycle.
We are a non-profit corporation which partners with other local non-profits to use our staged musical revivals as fundraising opportunities for the community good. We are recognized by California and the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity; donations are tax-deductible.
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