Author E.L. Doctorow, whose historic novel "Ragtime" inspired the Broadway musical of the same name, has placed his New Rochelle home on the market.

While private real estate listings are not typically considered newsworthy in theatre, the listing of the Doctorow home has theatrical reverberations.

"`Ragtime' [the book] was inspired by this house," Doctorow told Playbill On Line, "and my wife and I really have mixed feelings about selling it. It's too big, though, with just the two of us banging around inside of it."

The three-story home has 12 rooms and is located on Broadview Street in the "North End" of New Rochelle -- just as it is referenced in the first few lines of both the novel and the musical. Doctorow's "sturdy manse," as he described it in fiction, was listed on Nov. 18 for $695,000. The author said the house comes with separate garage and has a nice yard with trees. Doctorow said he is leaving the pool table for the new owner.

Located in an upscale section of New Rochelle, Doctorow's "Ragtime" house is just up the hill from the historic Thomas Paine cottage.

Coincidentally, the Doctorow's are hoping to close on their house in the early part of 2000, the same time the Broadway show Ragtime is scheduled to close, Jan. 16.

Doctorow told Playbill On-Line that he and his wife will move to New York City. His one regret on selling? He always wanted to invite the original cast for a party together in the Broadview house so they could see it for themselves. But demanding theatre performance schedules made it impossible.