The largest-scale production ever to grace the School of Theatre stage is almost here.

At 8 p.m. Tuesday, the renowned musical Ragtime will preview its 11-day run at the Playhouse Theatre.

Intertwining the stories of three different racial groups, Ragtime incorporates actual historical events and characters to portray life in America at the turn of the century.

Music director Beverly Patton said she believes the epic tale is a very effective depiction of American culture.

"It's one of the better stories about how things have changed and how they remain the same, and why people have done what they've done in this country," she said.

The musical weaves together the lives of a white, upper-middle class family from wealthy suburbia, an immigrant family arriving optimistically in this country and a group of African Americans living in Harlem.

Officially the dramaturge, or historical researcher, for the production, Jonathan Flom (graduate-directing) also handles assistant directing responsibilities, and will appear in a small ensemble role. Flom describes the crux of Ragtime as "three groups of people learning to deal with one another, cope with the changing world."

Based on E.L. Doctorow's novel of the same name, Ragtime addresses many issues of racial prejudice and ideals of freedom.

"The conflicts, the compassion that is shown between the different people with different backgrounds, it's a piece that leaves you with a lot of hope," Patton said. "There's a lot of struggle in the show, but in the end you realize there is hope."

Carly Hughes (senior-musical theatre) is portraying a member of the Harlem ensemble named Sarah, a role that won Broadway legend Audra McDonald a Tony Award. Hughes considers Ragtime an important play that theatergoers can enjoy.

"It'll be one of educational value for everyone, and one that is very heartfelt," she said. "Most people are on their feet crying at the end."

Hughes noted that people should experience the production "to get a sense of where we came from."

Patton said she also imagines the audience will learn culturally significant lessons from the show.

"I would think they would be absolutely intrigued by this," she said. "It's so relevant to right now."

Flom explained that the cast of over 60 includes not only undergraduate and graduate students, but also professors, community members and a few children. He also said that most of the other School of Theatre plays this year were smaller in scale so a great portion of the budget could go to Ragtime.

"It's ridiculously huge in terms of scenery and costumes. We've got a real Model T Ford that will be driven across the stage, big projection screens that will be playing footage of Harry Houdini," Flom said, citing the immense number of people needed to put this show together and the long hours they work.

After all of the laborious efforts dedicated to the production, everyone involved confidently predicts success.

"It's overwhelming," Flom said. "It is an amazing show ... It's going to be quite a magnificent performance."