Ragtime is coming to the Pasadena Playhouse.

No, not THAT Ragtime -- ragtime music, worked into a new play by Mark Saltzman. The Tin Pan Alley Rag features songs by Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin and opens the Pasadena season, July 20. Previews begin July 11.

Set in 1915, Rag shows ragtime king Scott Joplin visiting a young, upstart songwriter named Irving Berlin on NY's Tin Pan Alley (the mecca for pop songwriting of the time). When the two giants -- "whose egos were nearly as big as their talents" -- clash, musical sparks fly.

Harrison Page plays Joplin; David Norona, Berlin. Additional cast members include Melissa Fahn, Karole Foreman, Lita Gaithers, Christian Hoff, Leonard Joseph, Matt Landers and Gerry McIntyre. Alan Bailey directs this world premiere, with choreography by Larry Sousa and musical direction by Brad Ellis.

Designers for Tin Pan Alley Rag include John Iacovelli (sets), Kevin Mahan (lighting) and Zoe DuFour (costumes). Playwright Saltzman worked for years as a writer on "Sesame Street," and wrote the book for the Jerry Herman TV musical, "Mrs. Santa Claus." Director Bailey staged Smoke On The Mountain Off-Broadway.

Among Joplin's compositions are "The Maple Leaf Rag" and the opera "Tremonisha." Berlin's Broadway shows include Annie Get Your Gun and Miss Liberty.

For tickets or more information on Tin Pan Alley Rag, which opens July 20 and runs to Aug. 24, call (1-800) 233-3123, or refer to the Pasadena Playhouse regional listing on Playbill On-Line.

--By David Lefkowitz