Date: May 25, 2011
Contact: Eric Matanyi
Southland Area Theatre Ensemble
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: ematanyi@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
1912 Model T at Center Stage in SLATE’s Production of “Ragtime”
University Park, Illinois, May 25, 2011 - Ninety-nine years young, Ted Griffin’s Model T Ford makes its theatrical debut in this summer’s “Ragtime” at Governors State University’s Center for the Performing Arts.
“Ragtime,” to be presented by the Southland Area Theatre Ensemble (SLATE), weaves together a number of stories from early 20th century America. A vintage automobile plays a key part in the musical and Griffin, a longtime south suburban resident, offered the use of his 1912 Model T for the four “Ragtime” performances.
Griffin said his vintage automobile will lend authenticity to “Ragtime.” “I was glad to offer the use of my car for this production,” he said.
Griffin’s perfectly-restored Model T came off the assembly line a year before the Ford Motor Company started to discontinue brass fittings as a standard feature that added strength and beauty to the car. Models with brass fittings were only manufactured between 1908 and 1912, although Ford continued making Model Ts until 1927. In addition to brass fittings, Griffin’s car has original-style leather seats, transmission and other classic elements.
A member of vintage car clubs around the area, Griffin owns other antique vehicles. “But this is my pride and joy,” he said.
SLATE was established in 2009 as an artistic collaboration between GSU’s Center for Performing Arts, local theater educators, and veterans of area community theater companies. SLATE has produced two critically-acclaimed summer productions, “Into the Woods” in 2009 and “The Wedding Singer” in 2010.
Tickets for “Ragtime” are on sale May 23 at The Center for Performing Arts box office. Performance times and dates are July 30 at 7:30 p.m., July 31 at 2 p.m., August 6 at 7:30 p.m., and August 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $19 for students, and can be purchased on The Center’s website at www.centertickets.net or by calling the box office at (708) 235-2222.
“Ragtime” is sponsored by the SouthtownStar, the Yonover family, and Sutton Ford.
Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois. For more information about SLATE, visit www.slatetheatre.org.
