Brown, Panaro, DeSare, Lane and Williams to Be Part of From Ragtime to Ritzes

By Andrew Gans
15 May 2009

Ashley Brown
Ashley Brown
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

The concert cast of the first symphonic show devoted to the music of Irving Berlin, Irving Berlin: From Ragtime to Ritzes, was announced May 15 by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.

Produced by Ty A. Johnson, the world premiere will be orchestrated, arranged and conducted by Everly. Performances are June 12-14 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

The concerts will boast the talents of Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Hugh Panaro (Phantom of the Opera), Tony DeSare, James T. Lane (A Chorus Line, Chicago) and NaTasha Yvette Williams.

The production features such Berlin tunes as "White Christmas," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Blue Skies," "Steppin’ Out With My Baby" and "Puttin’ on the Ritz."

The music staff of arrangers and orchestrators includes Everly, Fred Barton, Wayne Barker, Michael Runyan, Greg Anthony, Tony DeSare, Tim Berens and Tedd Firth.

Tickets range from $20-$73 and can be purchased by calling the Hilbert Circle Theatre box office at (317) 639-4300 or by visiting www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.