Ragtime

JOHN CLAY III (Booker T. Washington) Broadway: New York, New York; Choir Boy (MTC, OCC nominee). Off-Broadway: Jelly's Last Jam (Encores!), A Raisin in the Sun (The Public Theater), Grand Hotel (Encores!). TV: Raising Kanan, PBS’ Great Performances (Mass). Education: Carnegie Mellon University. Clay thanks his wife for challenging him to be the best man he can be. @johnclayiii

RODD CYRUS (Harry Houdini) is thrilled to be returning to City Center, having appeared as "Giuseppe" in The Light in the Piazza in 2023, directed by Chay Yew. Theater credits: Mamma Mia! (The Hollywood Bowl), Valor (Guthrie), We Won’t Sleep (Eugene O’Neill Theater Center), Tomorrow Will Be Sunday (Chautauqua), My Real Mother (Signature Theatre). Television: Elsbeth, The Equalizer (CBS); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC). Film: Doctor, Doctor. Cyrus is a proud graduate of The Juilliard School and UCLA. @roddcyrus

COLIN DONNELL (Father) recently appeared on stage in The Shark Is Broken on Broadway. Additional Broadway: Violet, Anything Goes (Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Astaire nominations), Jersey Boys. Off-Broadway/Regional: Follies, Merrily We Roll Along, Lady Be Good, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Meet Me in St. Louis. Film/TV credits include: Irreverent, Chicago Med, Arrow, FBI: International, The Affair, Pan Am, Person of Interest, The Mysteries of Laura, Every Secret Thing, and Almost Love. Upcoming: Zero Day for Netflix.

JOSHUA HENRY (Coalhouse Walker Jr.) City Center credits: Violet, The Wiz, The Tap Dance Kid. Henry is a multiple Tony Award nominee for Carousel, Violet, and The Scottsboro Boys. Additionally on Broadway: Into the Woods, Waitress, Shuffle Along, Porgy & Bess, Bring It On, American Idiot, In the Heights, and Aaron Burr in the Chicago and National Tour of Hamilton. Henry starred in ABC’s Beauty and The Beast: A 30th Celebration Special; Lin Manuel Miranda’s feature tick, tick…. BOOM!; SEE for Apple TV; and American Renegades.

MATTHEW LAMB (The Little Boy) is thrilled to make his New York City Center debut! Select previous credits include Off-Broadway: “Frank Jr.” in Merrily We Roll Along (NYTW), Nine in Concert (Transport Group). Regional: “Little Boy” in Ragtime (Signature Theatre; Helen Hayes Award nomination), “Young Ray” in Tommy & Me (Bucks County Playhouse). TV: High Potential (ABC), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu). Film: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Smile. Represented by Bercy Talent Management and Carson Kolker Organization. matthew-lamb.com

TABITHA LAWING (The Little Girl) is overjoyed to be part of this amazing cast. She made her Broadway debut as “Lila” in Days of Wine and Roses earlier this year. Other favorite roles include “Grady Girl #1” in The Atlanta Opera’s co-production of The Shining with the Alliance Theater and “The Child” in The Buoyancy of Apples (film). Many thanks to David Doan, Alex Kidder, and The Telsey Office. Love to Mom, Dad, and sissy. @tabithalawing

CAISSIE LEVY (Mother) is an Olivier and Grammy Award nominated veteran of eight Broadway and two West End productions. She earned an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for Next To Normal and will be reprising her performance this summer in London’s West End. Other credits: Elsa in Disney's Frozen, Leopoldstadt, Rose in Caroline, or Change, Sheila in Hair (& West End), Molly in Ghost (& West End), Fantine in Les Miserables, Elphaba in Wicked, Penny in Hairspray, The Bedwetter, First Daughter's Suite, and Murder Ballad.

NICHELLE LEWIS (Sarah) is thrilled to portray “Sarah” in New York City Center’s production of Ragtime. She recently made her Broadway debut starring as Dorothy in the revival of The Wiz, earning a 2024 Theater World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut, as well as nominations for a Drama League Award for Distinguished Performer and a 2023 Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Touring Production. Her previous credits include the National Tours of Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, and Labelless. Lewis thanks her family, friends, and team for their unwavering support @iamnichellelewis

BEN LEVI ROSS (Mother's Younger Brother) most recently starred as “Nick Carraway” in A.R.T.’s highly anticipated production of Gatsby. He was most recently seen as the lead in Jason Robert Brown’s new musical The Connector at MCC, for which he received Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Ross notably played the role of “Evan” in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, after leading the first national tour in the same role. Additionally, he played “Henry” in Next to Normal at the Kennedy Center. In film, Ross can be seen in tick, tick… BOOM! on Netflix. Ross also makes music under the moniker “Boychik.”

STEPHANIE STYLES (Evelyn Nesbit) Recently seen as “Ainsley” in Loot (Apple TV+) and the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO). Broadway: “Lois Lane/Bianca” in Kiss Me, Kate (Roundabout). Off-Broadway: Kingdom Come (Roundabout). Tour: “Katherine” in Newsies. Regional: “Dusty” in the West Coast Premiere of POTUS (Berkley Rep) and the “Princess” in Roman Holiday (Golden Gate, SF). TV/Film: Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC); BONDiNG, Country Comfort, Pretty Smart (Netflix); and Bombshell (Lionsgate). University of Michigan Graduate.

SHAINA TAUB (Emma Goldman) Broadway: author/star of Suffs (Tony Awards: Best Score, Best Book; Outer Critics Circle Awards: Best Book, Best Score, Best Musical; Drama Desk Award: Outstanding Music). Shakespeare in the Park: Public Works’s Twelfth Night (composer/lyricist/Feste) and As You Like It (composer/lyricist/Jaques, Obie Award). Off-Broadway: Old Hats (featuring her original songs); Hadestown (Fate); Great Comet (Mary, Lortel nomination). Solo albums: Visitors, Die Happy, and Songs of the Great Hill on Atlantic Records. shainataub.com

BRANDON URANOWITZ (Tateh) Broadway: Leopoldstadt (Tony, Drama Desk, and OCC Awards); Burn This (Tony and Drama Desk nominations); The Band’s Visit; Prince of Broadway; Falsettos (Tony and Drama Desk nominations); An American in Paris (Tony nomination); and Baby, It’s You! Encores!: Titanic, Road Show, Grand Hotel. Other theater: tick, tick…BOOM! (Kennedy Center); Assassins (CSC). Film: Here Today, The Kitchen, Stage Fright. Television: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fosse/Verdon, Dietland, Blue Bloods, Inside Amy Schumer, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.  

NICHOLAS BARRÓN (Ensemble, Understudy for Younger Brother) is thrilled to be making his New York City stage debut in Ragtime. A native of San Antonio, Texas, he is best known for winning Best Lead Actor at the 2022 Jimmy Awards. Thanks to Sam, Taylor, Lear, The Telsey Office, and his family and friends, without whom this dream would not be realized. For Judy. @nickiebarron 

BRIANNA CARLSON-GOODMAN (Ensemble, Understudy for Emma Goldman) has been seen on Broadway, at regional theaters throughout the country, on TV, and in short films. She’s incredibly honored to be making her return to the stage in this production of Ragtime, a show about working for justice and a better world for all of us. She’s dedicating this performance to her amazing Jewish mother, who was a singer, teacher, community leader, and activist. Let’s dance. Let’s make art. Let’s vote!

BILLY COHEN (Ensemble, Understudy for Tateh/Harry Houdini) Credits: The Band’s Visit (First National Tour, Tony Award for Best Musical), I Can Get It For You Wholesale (Classic Stage Off-Broadway, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical Revival), The Lonely Few (MCC Off-Broadway). Regional: PCLO, Goodspeed, Sacramento Music Circus, Weston Playhouse, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Geva Theater, Theatre Aspen. Graduate of Princeton University. Upcoming: Cult of Love on Broadway. @cohenbilly

RHEAUME CRENSHAW (Ensemble, Understudy for Sarah’s Friend) Broadway: Shucked; Caroline, or Change (revival); Groundhog Day; Amazing Grace. Other New York credits: Road Show (Encores! Off-Center), Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope (Encores!). Tours: Waitress (First National). Regional: Bucks County Playhouse, Cincinati Playhouse in the Park, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Miami New Drama, Barrington Stage, St. Louis Black Rep, Congo Square/Goodman Theatre, and Crossroads.

TA’NIKA GIBSON (Ensemble, Understudy for Sarah) is staunch advocate for arts education and foster care/adoption in this country! Broadway: Into The Woods (Lucinda), Ain’t Too Proud (Diana Ross). Off Broadway/Regional: Encores! Once Upon A Mattress (Understudy for Lady Larken), Oklahoma! (Laurey), Aida (Aida). TV: HBO’s Winning Time! (Debbie Allen), Marvel’s Iron Fist, and Bull. Thank you to God, my parents, and Patty, my friends and family, my team at CAA, and Thomas Green Entertainment. @tanika_renee_gibson   

OLIVIA HERNANDEZ (Ensemble, Kathleen) Broadway: Days of Wine and Roses, Plaza Suite. Other credits include Austen’s Pride (Carnegie Hall), Master Class (Bay Street), Guys and Dolls (The Guthrie), Oklahoma! and Mary Poppins (TUTS), Songs For A New World (Paper Mill), Camelot (Gulfshore). BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan. Thanks to Avalon Artists Group, Telsey, LOVF, and SD. @oliviahernandezofficial 

DAVID JENNINGS (Ensemble, Understudy for Booker T. Washington) Broadway: Days of Wine and Roses, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Once on This Island, After Midnight, Hands on a Hardbody. London: The Genius of Ray Charles. National Tours: Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr.), Kinky Boots (Simon Sr.), Dreamgirls (Curtis), Freaky Friday (Mike), Porgy & Bess (Porgy), Ain’t Misbehavin', Waitress. Television: Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Blue Bloods (CBS), The Shield (FX), The Sinner (USA Network), Last Week Tonight (HBO). @djmusicbiz

MARINA KONDO (Ensemble) Thrilled to be back at New York City Center this season with this dream company! Broadway: KPOP (Original Cast). National Tours: Company (revival), Disney’s Frozen, Lincoln Center’s The King & I. NY/Off-Broadway: See What I Wanna See (Out of The Box Theatrics), Austen’s Pride (Carnegie Hall), Road Show (NYCC), KPOP (Ars Nova). Regional: The Muny. TV: Succession (HBO). University of Michigan (BFA). Dedicating her career to her teachers, family, and BRS/Gage. @marinakondo 

JEFF KREADY (Ensemble, Henry Ford) Encores! Lionel Bart’s Oliver! Broadway: The Great Gatsby, Company, Tootsie, Gentleman’s Guide…, Billy Elliot, Sunday in the Park…, Les Misérables. TV: Annie Live! (NBC); The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon); The Good Fight, Elementary, The Code (CBS); Boardwalk Empire (HBO). He has performed as guest soloist with symphony orchestras across the country, is an avid Barbie doll player with his daughters, Lena and Louise, and enjoys losing Scrabble games to his wife, Nikki Renée Daniels. Follow @jk_ready

KAI LATORRE (Coalhouse Walker III) is five years old and from New York City. Latorre is excited to be making his New York City Center debut in Ragtime. Latorre was also seen in the Ragtime Reunion Concert at the Broadway Minksoff Theater. Love and thanks to his Mom, Dad, and Grandparents. Thank you to Telsey Casting and his manager Randi Rosen of Ivy Artists Management. @kai.amour

TIFFANY MANN (Ensemble, Sarah’s Friend) TV: NBC’s New Amsterdam and Rise; Orange Is The New Black. Broadway: Be More Chill, Waitress. Off-Broadway: Jerry Springer: The Opera (Lucille Lortel Award), The Life, Invisible Thread, Cabin in the Sky, Jelly’s Last Jam. Selected other theater: Disney’s Hercules, The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, Dreamgirls, and Live at Lincoln Center: Sweeney Todd. If you’re reading this, know that you matter and I am grateful for YOU! Please accept my offering of song as thanks! @iamtiffanymann 

MORGAN MARCELL (Ensemble, Understudy for Evelyn Nesbit) recently wrapped the movie Kiss of the Spider Woman and closed Nine at the Kennedy Center. She starred as “The Wife” in Duncan Sheik’s newest musical, Noir! Broadway (Original Cast): Hamilton, Bandstand, Moulin Rouge! Associate Choreographer/Cast: Kiss of the Spider Woman, Annie Live!, Fosse/Verdon. Other Credits: Oliver! (Encores!), Only Gold, In The Heights (First National), Law & Order: SVU/CI, Better Nate Than Ever, Up Here, Rent Live! morganmarcell.com 

TOM NELIS (Ensemble, Grandfather) Broadway: Girl From The North Country, Indecent, The Visit, Enron, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, Aida. Off-Broadway: most recently, Spain (2ST), and King Lear and The Beautiful Lady (Cafe La Mama). International: The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Suzuki Company of Toga, SITI Company, and world tours with both Laurie Anderson and Richard Foreman. Awards: Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Performer (The Tempest), OBIE (THE MEDIUM). Founding member of SITI Company. MFA, UC San Diego. 

RAMONE NELSON (Ensemble) is blessed to be performing again at New York City Center. He was recently seen in City Center’s Encores! production of Jelly’s Last Jam. He just left the First National Tour of MJ the Musical as Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones after being a part of the original cast on Broadway. BFA: Music Theatre from Florida State University. Many thanks to Hybrid, God, and his family, and friends for their love and support. 2 Corinthians 5:7

KENT OVERSHOWN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to New York City Center in the show that inspired them to pursue musical theatre. NY: Titanic, Promenade (Encores!/Off-Center). Tours: Moulin Rouge, The Book of Mormon, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Memphis. Regional: Bernstein’s Mass (Philadelphia Orchestra), Little Shop of Horrors (Act Of Connecticut), The Music Man (Goodspeed), Sister Act (Walnut Street), Smokey Joes Café (Stages St. Louis), Miss Saigon (Casa Mañana), Camelot (Two River Theatre), MUNY. Love and gratitude to HCKR and fam. 

JOHN RAPSON (Ensemble, J.P. Morgan, Admiral Peary) Broadway: Beadle Bamford in the 2023 Revival of Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Barrow Street), Between the Lines. Tour: The D’Ysquith Family in A Gentleman’s Guide... Regional: Asolo Rep, Paper Mill, Westport Playhouse, Goodspeed, Berkeley Rep, Broadway Sacramento, St. Louis Rep. Rapson’s theatrical adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, called The Hollow, premiered in 2022 at Amphibian Stage. TV/Film: A Christmas Carol, The Blacklist, The Gilded Age. Training: University of Michigan. 

DESTINEE REA (Ensemble) is excited to be making her City Center debut. She is a multi-disciplinary artist, discoverer, and lover of culture. Her Broadway credits include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Amélie. You most recently saw her in Disney’s Hercules as the beloved “Muse, Terpsichore.” Follow her on all platforms at @destineeRea For Sandra, Breonna, and Rekia. 

DEANDRE SEVON (Ensemble) is honored to be a part of this historic production of Ragtime. Previous credits:  A Beautiful Noise (Broadway), Mother Courage and Her Children (CSC), Runaways (NYCC Encores), Ibis (59 E 59) Still... (Ensemble Studio Theatre). A huge thank you to all of the artists making this production possible, casting at Telsey, Michele, Natasha, and, most importantly, my mother. UNC School of the Arts: BFA in Acting. Connect with me! IG: @deandre_sevon; Spotify: Deandre Sevon

KATHY VOYTKO (Ensemble, Understudy for Mother) is delighted to be back for her ninth show at City Center (most recently Dear World and The Light in the Piazza). On Broadway: Oklahoma!, Nine, The Frogs, The Pirate Queen, Next to Normal, A Gentleman‘s Guide..., Tuck Everlasting, The Music Man. On Tour: Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, A Gentleman’s Guide… Voytko is the proud recipient of two Jeff Awards, both for leading actress in a musical: “Polly” in Crazy for You, “Francesca” in The Bridges of Madison County. Thank you to all the lovely artists at NYCC, CGF, and my family: John, Alena, and Evelyn. 

JACOB KEITH WATSON (Ensemble, Willie Conklin) Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along (Mr. Spencer); Carousel (Enoch Snow); Hello, Dolly!; Violet; Amélie; The Phantom of the Opera (Joseph Buquet). NYC/Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, Oliver!, 1776 (Robert Livingston), Mack & Mabel. National tour: Chicago (Amos Hart). Regional: Into the Woods (The Baker), Seussical (Horton), Shrek the Musical (Shrek), The Music Man (Marcellus). Television: Annie Live! on NBC (Mr. Bundles) and The Gilded Age. 

ALAN WIGGINS (Ensemble) Broadway: The Lion King, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Pretty Woman: The Musical, Paradise Square, Shucked. Off-Broadway: Oratorio for Living Things (Ars Nova). Very grateful to the creative team for this opportunity. Thanks to the wonderful team at The MINE for all of their support. All my love to Colin and my amazing friends. I dedicate this performance to my incredible family! #WigginsClan #MelloStrong @alan_wiggins_  

AERINA DEBOER (Understudy for Little Girl) is excited to be part of Ragtime at City Center with this amazing cast! Metropolitan Opera: Grounded. Off-Broadway: The Hunt (Clara) at St. Ann's Warehouse. National Tours: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2022 & 2023 Tours (Cindy Lou Who). Special thanks to Telsey, New York City Center, and the entire creative team. Thank you to Leorah Haberfield of Bohemia Group, Mallory Levy of DDO, and all of her coaches and teachers. To my family with love. @aerinaparkdeboer

NICK GASWIRTH (Swing) Broadway: How To Dance In Ohio; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812; and A Christmas Story. Tour: Wicked, A Christmas Story. Lincoln Center: I Am Harvey Milk. Regional: Cleveland Play House, A.R.T., Syracuse Stage, Goodspeed, 5th Avenue, Arden Theatre, Westchester Broadway. TV/Film: Spirited, A Christmas Story Live! BFA in Musical Theatre: University of Michigan (go blue!). Proud AEA member. Hi Jammers, hi Beazie, hi Andy-roo!

JANA DJENNÉ JACKSON (Swing) is thrilled to join the City Center family! In 2021, she joined the cast of Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway as Dance Captain and Urchin/Audrey cover. Jackson later originated the role of “Polexia” on Broadway, in Almost Famous. She was seen at Joe’s Pub in Kill The Whale as “Pip,” and in Beautiful: the Carole King Musical at Papermill Playhouse. Special thanks to the Buchwald team, Mom, Tajah, Nia, and Dad. ig: @jana.djenne 

KANE EMMANUEL MILLER (Offstage Understudy for Coalhouse Walker III) is very excited to make his acting debut in Ragtime at New York City Center! When he isn’t on stage, he enjoys being a six-year-old: playing, singing, dancing, and practicing Karate. He is grateful to the creative team, casting, and Bonnie and the Stewart Talent Agency team for seeing his spark. Miller wants to thank God, his Mom and Dad, his family, and his dedicated village for their endless love, encouragement, and guidance. Pa’lante!

SHERROD WILLIAMS (Swing) An award-winning multi-hyphenate based in NYC. Broadway: Hamilton (Chicago), CATS, Tuck Everlasting. Off-Broadway: Grand Hotel (Encores!). Tours: Moulin Rouge!, A Chorus Line, Bring It On: The Musical. Regional: The Kennedy Center, MUNY, TUTS, Asolo Rep. TV: Neighbors (EP, creator, lead), Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, GMA, The Today Show. Film: Better Nate Than Ever (Disney+), Every Right, Happy Yummy Chicken. Creative mind behind production house Cocoa Dusted Media. “Just keep going.” SharrodWilliams.com @SharrodSharrod7 

HENRY WITCHER (Understudy for Little Boy) is excited to make his New York City debut! Regional: “Randy” in A Christmas Story (Ahmanson Theater). Television: S.W.A.T (CBS), John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA (Netflix), Kindred (FX), Firebuds (Disney Jr.), Gabby's Dollhouse (Netflix). Many thanks to DDO Kids, Sherry Kayne at Rebel Creative Group, and my family. Instagram: @henrywitcher.