BEST BETS Sunday 9/17

Costa Mesa

8pm

Theater

“Ragtime: The Musical” is the stage adaptation of the sprawling E.L. Doctorow novel about the currents that shaped 20th century America. Harry Houdini, anarchist Emma Goldman, Booker T. Washington and other famous figures from the century’s early years turn up onstage along with characters from three fictional families--one black, one Jewish and one upper-class WASP. Immigration, labor unrest, the growing independence of women and, above all, racism, are the themes; the original Broadway production of this touring musical won four Tony awards, including honors for the score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and the book by Terrence McNally.

* “Ragtime: The Musical,” Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Ends Sept. 24. $28.50 to $62.50. (714) 556-2787.