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The Ross Ragland Theater welcomes Canadian-born, singer-songwriter, Amanda Stott, May 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Plan to join as Stott presents her new album, “Place to Start Again,” with her signature mix of country, pop and Christian.

Growing up on her family’s farm in Brandon, Manitoba, Stott was always surrounded by music. Her father was a saxophonist and pianist and she began singing in the local church at the precocious age of three. After a successful country self-titled debut release in 2000 on Warner Music Canada she released her sophomore album, “Chasing the Sky” in 2005 with more of a pop flair with EMI Music Canada. But after a six year hiatus, Amanda has taken creative control with this new project, collaborating with Nashville-based producer, Brian Hitt, (High Flight Society, David Doss Band, Dub Pierce), and is releasing it independently, hopping genres once again and leaning in the direction of Christian Music. “My faith is the reason I sing and it’s exciting that God has opened the doors for me to write and perform music that conveys my heart.” “Amanda brings to the stage a warm personality, hot vocals and serious piano playing,” says Ragland executive director Mark McCrary, “When I saw her perform I was entranced.” Amanda has drawn inspiration for her songs from her strong faith and her own life experiences. The groundwork for “Place to Start Again” was Amanda’s voice, piano and strings. “I have always loved the powerful combination of piano and strings and really wanted that to be the musical foundation for this album.”

In the spring of 2006, Amanda joined the Cirque Du Soleil show “Delirium” as a singer on their North American tour. “It was so exciting every night to be able to perform in such a multifaceted production with inspiring visuals, musicians, singers, dancers, and acrobats.” After 13 months of being on the road with “Delirium,” Amanda felt God leading her and opening the door for her to move to Nashville and further pursue her solo career. “Place to Start Again” is what came out of that move.

The 2013-14 Silver Anniversary Performance Season is sponsored by Season Sponsors Forward Vision Media, Herald and New, KLAD & The Rock, 104.7 The Eagle and Sunny 107. The Series Sponsor is Fred Meyer and Show Sponsors are Winema Electric & Woodland Lighting Design and Waste Management. Co-Sponsors include Bel-Tel & Basin Alarm, Molatore, Scroggin, Peterson & Co, and ZCS Engineering.

The Ragland Classical Series presents Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Russia is popularly known for two things; its rockets and its violins. The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin is renowned for the latter, but their music will take you soaring as if somehow there is a connection to the former. There will be a free pre-concert lecture in The Ragland Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m.

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, founded and led by Misha Rachlevsky, has earned national and international recognition as one of Russia's leading ensembles. Founded in 1991, the orchestra, comprising some of Russia's finest young string players, has carved a niche for itself under the creative baton of its founder and music director Misha Rachlevsky. Whether it is the highly-acclaimed CDs or its mesmerizing concerts, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin's warmth and high energy create addictive performances that stay with listeners long after the last note has been played.

In addition to an active schedule of presenting concerts and festivals in Moscow, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin tours regularly in North and South America, Europe and the Far East.

With seventeen years of excellence under its belt, a devoted audience in its home base, Moscow, an awards-winning CD catalog of over thirty CDs and an increasing demand for performances internationally, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin enthusiastically continues its busy schedule of concerts, festivals, recordings and touring.

This relatively young orchestra has time and again been critically acclaimed as one of the finest string ensemble in Russia today, which is to suggest that it is arguably one of the best in the world. Misha Rachlevsky has molded these young players into a sonorous whole, amazingly greater than the sum of its seventeen parts. Conducting with his eyes closed, he is connected like a wire to each of his players and pulls from them a flawless execution that astounds audiences the world over. Indeed, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin is Rachlevsky's creation, for in its conception he has achieved the blending of both the incomparable historical character and the present day vitality of Russia's musical talent.

Misha Rachlevsky's lifetime affinity for chamber music and chamber orchestra repertoire began at the College of the Moscow Conservatory and the Gnessin Academy of Music. Born in Moscow, his violin studies began at the age of five and continued through the well-traveled path of the Russian school of string playing. After leaving the Soviet Union in 1973, he lived and worked in different countries on three continents, and in 1976 settled in the United States, becoming active in the field of chamber music.

The 2013-2014 Silver Anniversary Performance Season is sponsored by Season Sponsors: Forward Vision Media, Herald and News, KLAD & The Rock, and Wynne Broadcasting. The Series and Show Sponsors include, Beach’s Jewelers, Klamath Surgery Center, Marlene Keppen, Vern & Fran Gearhard, WESTAF, Oregon Arts Commission & National Endowment for the Arts, Charlie & Eileen Moresi, Moles Photography, Marcella Bell, Margie Bocchi, Dr. Alden & Starla Glidden, Harold & Sally Heaton, Walter & Janet Larson & Stewart & Linda.

A favorite spectacle for audiences of all ages The Golden Dragon Acrobats will be on stage in a new show entitled Cirque Ziva on Tuesday, January 28th at The Ross Ragland Theater. The Golden Dragon Acrobats hail from Cangzhou, Hebei province, in the People’s Republic of China and have toured the United States continuously since 1978. Its members are athletes, actors and artists who have studied and trained for their craft since early childhood. The group averages 200 performances each year and has toured through all 50 states and in over 65 countries across the world. In 2005, their Broadway debut and seven-week run at the New Victory Theater earned two prestigious New York Drama Desk Awards nominations (for Best Choreography and Most Unique Theatrical Experience).

The newest show from producer Danny Chang (Artistic Director of the Golden Dragon Acrobats), Cirque Zíva, was created in 2011 by AAPI in coordination with renowned lighting director Tony Tucci (American Ballet Theatre's Configurations with Mikhail Baryshnikov; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre; 1996 Summer Olympics Cultural Olympiad). The production ran for ten straight weeks (four weeks added by popular demand) at Asbury Park Boardwalk’s Paramount Theatre – the first-ever run held at the New Jersey venue in its more than 80-year history. Night after night Cirque Zíva earned critical acclaim, packed houses and standing ovations. With visual and technical innovations presented beautifully in centuries-old Chinese acrobatics, the show had grown to represent the best of AAPI and its brand of artistic merit, high production value, and solid commitment to cultural exchange.

Founding History

Lien Chi Chang officially established the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats in 1967 with his family whose member included Danny Chang, his sister and other students. From 1967 to 1984, Lien Chi led the company to numerous performances in different nations. The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats dazzled audiences range from 8 years old kids to 80 years old seniors all across the globe. Danny Chang, often traveled with his father’s Golden Dragon Acrobats, was later chosen by the National Acrobats Troupe of Republic of China to lead the various world tour produced by the most prestige acrobat school in Taiwan.

After more than 17 years of apprenticeship under his dad and several years of world tour, Danny Chang was ready to step up as the President of the Golden Dragon Acrobats when Lien Chi Chang accepted the head coaching job at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. Today, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have been recognized as the preeminent Chinese acrobatic company in the United States. As the director and the producer, Danny Chang has built a solid reputation based on his talents as both an acrobatic performer and artistic director. Every year, along with the choreographer, also his wife, Angela Chang, attend different acrobatic competitions to constantly select the most elite performers to join the Golden Dragon Acrobats. Cirque Ziva combines astonishing acrobatics, vibrant costumes and spectacular sets with 25 centuries of tradition to create a contemporary Cirque Du Soleil-sense of theatricality. It drives each performance with remarkable passion and incredible skill there are juggling hats, balancing cups, spinning plates and diving through hoops.

Golden Dragon Acrobat’s newest show is a stage spectacular full of daring feats of athletic discipline and grace, brilliant costumes, music, and movement. It’s a performance of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty, proving that “the impossible can be achieved, and once achieved, surpassed.”—Associated Press

The 2013-14 Silver Anniversary Performance Season is sponsored by Season Sponsors Forward Vision Media, Herald and New, KLAD & The Rock, 104.7 The Eagle and Sunny 107. The Series Sponsors are The Epicenter and Fred Meyer & Fisher Nicholson Realty. Show Sponsors are Diversified Contractors, Klamath Sleep Medicine Center, Pacific Crest FCU and Co-Sponsors are Jim & Jean Pinniger, Tom & Barb Shaw & Vallejos Photography.

The Ross Ragland Theater is presenting It’s a Wonderful Life as its Silver Anniversary Season Holiday Community Production. This holiday musical will run Thursday, December 12th through Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 15th at 2 PM. The Holiday Community Production is a wonderful way to get in the spirit, stay in the spirit or share in the spirit of Christmas with your family and friends.

The production is being directed by The Ragland’s own Mark McCrary with choreography directed by Samantha Gregory, the orchestra is being conducted by Charlie Moresi and vocals by Robin Schwartz.  The book and lyrics of “It’s a Wonderful Life” were written by John Higgins and Dr. James W. Rogers and based on Frank Capra’s 1946 film of the same name.  It is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. 

The cast list for this show consists of tried and true veteran actors as well as some new comers to the Ragland stage.  George Bailey is being played by Jonathan Doud; Clarence by Michael House and Mary Hatch Bailey by Lindsay Doud.  Dan Neubauer will be Henry Potter, Rachel Hoffman is Mrs. Martini and Wayne Sweat is the Mayor and Charlie. For a complete cast list please visit the Ragland’s website at: http://www.rrtheater.org/involved/community

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is based on the classic movie by the same name starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. The show features now classic characters George Bailey, a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody. Clarence shows George all the lives he has touched and how different life in his community of Bedford Falls would be had he never been born.

“This show is different than the production we mounted a several years ago,” said Mark McCrary, Executive Director of the Ragland, “this follows the movie a bit more closely and, musically, is a newer version.” 

The Ross Ragland Theater announces a new production to be performed in the Ragland Cultural Center. William Shakespeare’s A (Redneck) Midsummer Night’s Dream with three performances Wednesday, October 16 through Friday, October 18 all at 7pm. 

The homegrown production features local performers playing the classic comedic roles set in the Louisiana Bayou country near the turn of the last century.  This will be the first Shakespearian play presented in the Ragland Cultural Center Studio Theater.

 “It’s exciting to bring a different view of Shakespeare to the community” says Mark McCrary, the Ragland Executive Director, he added, “I think people will be pleasantly surprised how accessible, and easy to understand, this production of Midsummer Night’s Dream is.”

The show features a slightly edited text and a few direct performer interactions with the audience to help everyone understand the story and dialogue, and the Bayou setting brings the show close to home for an American audience.  With characters ranging from plantation owners to shrimp boat captains, moonshiners to voodoo fairies, and southern gentleman to southern belles, there is something for everyone to relate to.

Charles “Chip” Massie is directing the production along with Athena Clingman.  The cast of 20 performers has some well known faces from the Ragland stage and some newcomers cutting their teeth on a smaller set  “This play transfers so well to 1927 bayou country it is amazing” says Director “Chip” Massie,.  He went on to say “The moment the actors began to read the play in character, with the southern accent, it just came alive and suddenly Shakespeare is easy”.

A Redneck Midsummer Night’s Dream is set in Athens, Louisiana in 1927.  Prohibition has not slowed the fun and games for these bayou folks and the story moves quickly as  local hardworking shrimpers and moonshiners prepare a special performance to celebrate Mayor Theseus’ wedding day (at night).  Their rehearsal, in the deep forest, is interrupted by bayou fairies and voodoo hobgoblins who are busy chasing the young lovers, who themselves have fled a genteel society life for the freedom to love whom they please.  In the midst of all this a battle, that endangers nature itself, rages between Oberon and Titiana as they argue about jealousy and selfishness. Rest assured in about two hours (including intermission) the lovers are properly matched and wedded bliss finishes the play.

Two years ago the Ragland Cultural Center (RCC) Series debuted with Snoopy the Musical for a total of four capacity showings.  Last season “Little Nell, a burlesque melodrama, mortgage, tears and everything!” was enjoyed by audiences The RCC Series presentations are meant to play to smaller more intimate audiences and are presented in the Cultural Center, in one of the studios with minimal staging, sound & lights. 

Performances will be October 16, 17, and 18 at 7:00pm in the Ross Ragland Cultural Center Studio Theater.  Tickets are $10 General Admission and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at the RRT Boxoffice or online at www.rrtheater.org.  For more information call the Boxoffice at 541-884-LIVE (5483).

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The local cast includes:

Dan Neubauer as Nick “Catfish” Bottom

Amber Petersen as Pansy Quince

Tarius Aguiar as Francis Flute

Andrew Sparkes as Snout the Moonshiner

Russ McMahon as Starveling the Shrimper

Wayne Sweat as Snug the Shrimper

Mark McCrary as Oberon

Brenna Duffitt as Titiana

April Wietlisbach as Robin Goodfellow

Collin Burk as Lysander

Autumn McKinney-Brooks as Hermia

Michael House as Demetrius

Ashira Clingman as Helena

Charles Massie as Theseus

Diana Junker as Hippolyta

Jeanette Reid as Egeus

Lisa Cooper as Peaseblossom

Keller Clingman as Mustardseed

Sarah Junker as Cobweb

Crystal Hilyard as Philostrate

The production team includes:

Directors - Charles “Chip” Massie and Athena Clingman

Costumes and Props – Jeanette Reid and Heidi Kester

Andrew Ernst - Music coordinator

House Band - Ted Strunk and “Smitty” Parratt providing period music and sound effects.

Set Design - Delaney Kentzell

The Ross Ragland Theater is celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary Season and is planning not only a full schedule of entertainment but also some fun ways to engage the community and the patrons attending performances.

The Ross Ragland Theater was started by citizens who believed a performing arts venue could be supported by the community and that belief has been fulfilled for a quarter of a century. The Ross Ragland relies on the cash and in-kind donations of businesses and individuals in Klamath Falls and the outlying areas to keep the stage lights lit, doors open and performers coming to perform.

As part of the Silver Anniversary Main Street Jewelers, also celebrating their 25th year in business is helping the Theater cross-promote shows.  They are providing silver necklaces for a drawing that will take place at each of the theater’s 25 performances in the coming season line up.  The theater will use this as a fundraising opportunity with drawing tickets to be sold at just twenty-five cents each or 25 tickets for five dollars. 

There will also be a large plexi-glass “Ragland Tower” that the community can fill with quarters or other silver coins to help support the theater and to share in the celebration of this Silver Anniversary that the Klamath Basin has made possible.  “There are still more ideas in the hopper”, said Kacie Flagor, Director of Marketing & Fund Development at The Ross Ragland.  “We don’t see this as just our Anniversary.  We see it as a celebration of accomplishment for everyone who has supported us in the past, the present and of course the future.”

The Silver Anniversary Season opens country style with LoneStar who is widely known for hits such as “I’m Already There”, “Amazed” and “Tell Her”.  Having just released their first studio album since 2007, the band is poised to climb the charts again and set to entertain with hits from their past. LoneStar will be performing on Friday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. 

Other acts coming to The Ragland include Veggie Tales, Classic Rock artists Three Dog Night, Diane Line’s Jump, Everything Fitz, Eugene Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the Esquire Jazz Orchestra, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, Cirque Ziva, The Coats, Two on Tap, Rhythm of the Dance, Stone in Love - Journey Tribute, Amanda Stott and “Dancing With Your Klamath Stars.”

The entire 2013-2014 Performance Season is sponsored by Forward Vision Media, Herald and News, KLAD & The Rock, Sunny 107 and The Eagle.

     The Ross Ragland Theater has announced the cast of its summertime community musical, a new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES, the longest running musical in the world, directed by Kathleen M. Adams.

     Following four days of open auditions and a day of callbacks, which saw more than 115 people auditioning for roles, a cast of 65 singing actors has been chosen for the production, which opens a two-weekend, seven-performance run on Friday, August 2nd, 2013 and closes after the Sunday matinee on August 11th, 2013. 

     “We were very pleased with the large turnout for our auditions,” says Ms. Adams, who headed up an auditions panel that included six others. “The members of the panel were very impressed with the range of talent on display.  It’s a tribute to the popularity of this world-famous musical and to the growing depth of the local talent pool.”

     LES MISÉRABLES is the first of several collaborations between Alain Boublil, the librettist/dramatist, and Claude-Michel Shönberg, the composer, whose later works have included such other sung-through musicals as Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, The Pirate Queen and Marguerite.

     LES MISÉRABLES was originally entitled La Révolution Française and was first presented in Paris in 1980.  In 1985, a new English language production produced by Cameron Macintosh opened in London, where it is still running after 28 years.  The 2010 25th Anniversary Production of the musical is still touring the U.S. and Canada, a large-scale Hollywood movie version of the musical was released in December 2012 and a new Broadway production has been announced for the 2013/14 season. 

     Amateur productions of LES MISÉRABLES, like the one at the Ragland, have only recently been permitted and, currently, more than 300 productions of the musical, including the school version, have been announced between now and early 2015.  The Ragland’s production is the first full production of the musical in the Southern Oregon / Northern California area and will celebrate the theater’s upcoming 25th anniversary season in 2013/14.

     Set in France during the period from 1815 to 1832, LES MISÉRBLES follows the life story of Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread and who, when he breaks his parole, is relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert.  Valjean adopts little Cosette, the orphaned daughter of Fantine, and raises her as his own.  The two of them, along with others, become involved in a failed revolution when the grown-up Cosette falls in love with a young student revolutionary and Valjean and Javert finally meet again.  In the end, Valjean dies but finds redemption for all the good he has done in his life while the spirit of revolution among the people lives on. 

     The show includes songs such as “At The End Of The Day”, “I Dreamed A Dream”, “Who Am I?”, “Castle On A Cloud”, “Master Of The House”, “Red/Black”, “The People’s Song”, “In My Life”, “One Day More”, “On My Own”, “Drink With Me”, “Little People” “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables”, “Bring Him Home”, “A Heart Full Of Love” and “Do You Hear The People Sing”, among others.  LES MISÉRABLES is filled with memorable melodies and emotional moments as it tells a deeply moving story of love and redemption in the midst of revolution.

     Erik Connolly has been selected to play the key role of Jean Valjean while Matthew Hoffman has been cast as Inspector Javert.  Robert Bohnen will portray the Bishop of Digne, who befriends Valjean and urges Valjean to change his life by doing good. 

     Jon McKellar has been chosen to play the factory foreman, Steven Dale Moore has been cast as Bamatabois, a street dandy, and Ted Dougan will portray Fauchelevant, the man pinned under a heavy cart. 

     Geneva Anderson-Lewis plays the role of Fantine, the woman who is forced into prostitution and who ultimately dies as a result.  Sophie Lyman portrays Fantine’s daughter, the young Cosette.  Little Cosette’s caretakers are the Thénardiers, innkeepers who run a not-very-respectable establishment and who treat the young girl badly. 

     Dan Neubauer has been cast as the unscrupulous Thénardier and Judy Allen has been cast as his dutiful but not-very-respectful wife.  Alexandra Burris will play the non-singing role of the young Eponine, the Thenardier’s well-treated daughter. 

     The role of the street urchin, Gavroche, will be played by Daniel Levesque.  Lindsey Doud will portray the grown-up Cosette while Dana Wirth will portray the grown-up Éponine. 

     After moving to Paris, Thénardier gathers a gang of thugs to assist him in his criminal activities and they will be played by Eric Sonerholm, Marshall Stanton, Justarius Aguiar and George Ormsbee.  

     The student revolutionaries include James Hurst as the outspoken Enjolras and Tommy Bocchi as Marius Pontmercy, the young man who falls in love with Cosette (and she with him).  Other student revolutionaries include Cody Bowman as Combeferre, Eric Sonerholm as Feuilly, Jeremy Westover as Courfeyrac, Spencer Hamilton as Joly, Steven Dale Moore as Grantaire, Jonathan Doud as Lesgles and Michael House as Jean Prouvaire.   Dan Crenshaw will sing the off-stage role of an army officer.

     Others in the cast will play a variety of characters and roles, including the chain gang, convicts, warders, constables, the poor, factory workers, sailors, prostitutes, pimps drinkers beggars, street urchins, street people, soldiers and wedding guests, among others.

     Women in the cast include (in alphabetical order) Shelley Andersen, Rebecca Bergman, Samantha Burris, Cynthia Collins, Lisa Cooper, Faye Crenshaw, Jessica Criss, Pamela Davenport, Jessica Dutton, Jannike Fletcher, Danielle Harmon, Bonnie Hay, Rachel Hoffman, Rylie Hurst, Corrie Judd, Christina Kohout, Victoria Lancaster, Hannah Levesque, Leigh Martin, Susan McKellar, Victoria McKinney-Broooks, Wendy Niskanen, Allison Phair, Jaime Smith, Aunika Torres, Terri Torres, Annika Warrington and Marlena Wietlisbach, many of whom will have individual lines to sing.

     Men in the cast include (in alphabetical order) Treven Beezley, Hayden Dentinger, Logan Hurst, Guy Jakubowski, Taylor Kandra, Mark McCrary, Mark Mickelsen, Ty Niskanen, Scott Olsen, George Ormsbee, Luis Rivera and Lee Woods.   Men cast in specific roles will also sing as members of the ensemble in other scenes. 

     The Ragland’s production will also feature live orchestral accompaniment directed by Kathleen Adams.  Charles Cossey is serving as production coordinator while Guy Jakubowski is in charge of set construction.  Dan Crenshaw and Suzanne Stewart are the rehearsal pianists.

     Costumes for the production are being coordinated by Linda Koch and Susan McKellar, with assistance from several other members of the costume crew.  Props are being supervised by Kat Rutledge.

     Reserved tickets for Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES are priced at $24, $19 and $16 and are currently available through the Ross Ragland Theater box office or online at www.rrtheater.org.  Discounts for senior, students, low income patrons and groups of ten or more are also available.  Telephone 541-884-LIVE for ticket information and reservations.