Giving The Nation A New Syncopation: RAGTIME Is Back On Broadway
Giving The Nation A New Syncopation: RAGTIME Is Back On Broadway
By Kathryn Harris on September 22, 2009
The era of RAGTIME has returned. On October 23, the first Broadway revival of this Tony Award winning American epic begins performances. Direct from its sold-out run at the Kennedy Center in D.C., this production-lauded by critics and audiences alike-is directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, and stars Broadway favorites Ron Bohmer and Christiane Noll.
An adaptation of the E.L. Doctorow novel, RAGTIME explores the experiences of early 20th century New York through the eyes of a wealthy and sheltered housewife, a Jewish immigrant struggling to provide for his daughter, and a talented Harlem musician determined to fight injustice. Terrance McNally's sweeping, Tony Award winning book effortlessly intertwines all three stories, while demonstrating the influence historical figures-from socialist Emma Goldman to industrial innovator Henry Ford to intellectual Booker T. Washington-have on the characters' lives. Composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens also received a Tony for their monumental score. Flaherty's melodies, flowing naturally from delicate to bold, drives the piece with the unmistakable sound and energy of that fascinating era. In this largely sung-through slice of Americana, Ahrens' lyrics capture the sheer passion of the characters, while at the same time allowing their doubts and uncertainty show through.
For more information about the RAGTIME Broadway revival, visit its official website. To license RAGTIME, check out its MTI show page. Share your thoughts about RAGTIME on its MTI ShowSpace page.
The 2009 Kennedy Center cast of RAGTIME--from playbill.com
An adaptation of the E.L. Doctorow novel, RAGTIME explores the experiences of early 20th century New York through the eyes of a wealthy and sheltered housewife, a Jewish immigrant struggling to provide for his daughter, and a talented Harlem musician determined to fight injustice. Terrance McNally's sweeping, Tony Award winning book effortlessly intertwines all three stories, while demonstrating the influence historical figures-from socialist Emma Goldman to industrial innovator Henry Ford to intellectual Booker T. Washington-have on the characters' lives. Composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens also received a Tony for their monumental score. Flaherty's melodies, flowing naturally from delicate to bold, drives the piece with the unmistakable sound and energy of that fascinating era. In this largely sung-through slice of Americana, Ahrens' lyrics capture the sheer passion of the characters, while at the same time allowing their doubts and uncertainty show through.
For more information about the RAGTIME Broadway revival, visit its official website. To license RAGTIME, check out its MTI show page. Share your thoughts about RAGTIME on its MTI ShowSpace page.
