Rubicon Theatre Company Sets Ragtime Musical for Fall 2026 Run in Ventura, California

Rubicon Theatre Company is moving forward with one of the most ambitious musicals in the American canon. The Ventura, California-based company has announced a full production of Ragtime, the Tony Award-winning musical based on E. L. Doctorow's celebrated novel, with performances running from previews on October 21 through a closing date of November 15, 2026. The official opening night is set for October 24. With casting actively underway and pre-production already in motion, this is the moment for performers and theatrical creatives to get on the radar of the production team.

Ragtime features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by the late Terrence McNally, the same creative team whose original 1998 Broadway production earned thirteen Tony nominations and took home four, including Best Score. The show is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated and emotionally demanding musicals of the modern era, weaving together three fictional American families against a backdrop of real historical figures including Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, and Booker T. Washington. For any performer or director, it signals a production with serious artistic ambitions and a demanding ensemble.

At the helm is J. Scott Lapp, who serves as director and holds the title of Artistic Associate at Rubicon Theatre Company, suggesting a deep familiarity with the organization's artistic voice and production values. Musical direction falls to Abdul Hamid Royal, whose work spans both classical and contemporary musical theatre, and choreography is being handled by Natalie Iscovich. The combination of a resident artistic leader directing alongside a dedicated musical director and choreographer signals a collaborative, tightly coordinated production structure that performing artists and production professionals will find well-organized to work within.

Rubicon Theatre Company is a well-regarded regional theatre in Ventura County with a history of producing quality work in an intimate venue setting. The company has built a reputation over the years for tackling substantive, text-driven work and musical productions that punch above the weight of a smaller regional house. Co-Founder Karyl Lynn Burns remains a guiding force in the organization's identity and programming choices. Licensing for Ragtime is handled through Music Theatre International, the prominent theatrical licensing company that manages rights for a vast catalogue of Broadway titles. MTI's involvement is standard for regional productions of this scale and signals that the production is operating within fully sanctioned and professional parameters.

Casting is being led by Stephanie Coltrin, who serves as both Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director at Rubicon Theatre Company. For performers and their representation, Coltrin is the primary point of contact for audition inquiries. Ragtime demands an exceptionally strong ensemble with the vocal power to handle Flaherty and Ahrens's lush, operatic score, and the dramatic range to carry McNally's layered, historically grounded storytelling. The principal roles of Coalhouse Walker Jr., Sarah, Mother, Tateh, and Father require leading-caliber talent, while the ensemble carries significant weight throughout the show. Performers at all levels of experience should be aware this production is casting now.

All performances will take place at Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, California, located at 1006 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. The theatre operates a mainstage that seats roughly 200 audience members, creating an intimate scale for a show that typically demands a large cast and a full orchestra. That contrast between the show's epic scope and Rubicon's more focused house size is part of what makes this production creatively interesting. For local Southern California theatrical talent and production professionals, Ventura is a reasonable commute from Los Angeles, and the region has a solid base of working theatre professionals who regularly participate in Rubicon productions. Those based in the greater LA area should not overlook this opportunity simply due to the geography.

From a production standpoint, a show of Ragtime's complexity requires strong department leadership across music, choreography, scenic design, costume design, and lighting, all of which are likely being staffed or finalized in this current pre-production phase. The musical's period setting at the turn of the 20th century means the costume and scenic departments carry a particularly heavy creative and logistical load. Stage management, technical direction, and production coordination roles are also likely in active discussion or already being locked in given the September 2026 rehearsal start. Professionals in these areas who have regional theatrical experience should reach out now rather than waiting for formal job postings.

For full casting contacts, production office information, updated crew listings, and scheduling details as they are confirmed, check the complete Ragtime listing on ProductionList.com. The production is actively moving through its pre-production phase, which means the hiring window for both performers and production staff is open right now. Keep the listing bookmarked as details are updated regularly, and do not wait on reaching out to the Rubicon Theatre Company team if this is a production you want to be part of.

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