Ragtime: in concert at the White Plains Performing Arts Center
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
Four performances only? You can’t be serious. This first of Broadway in Concert readings, RAGTIME, the 1998 musical by Terrence McNally (book) Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music) – based on the novel, Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow - that won four Tony Awards – including Best Featured Actress, Original Score, Book and Orchestrations but lost Best Musical to Disney’s The Lion King – has been courageously and effectively mounted at The White Plains Performing Arts Center (a mere 35 minutes from Manhattan on Metro North). It is much, much more than a mere reading in concert. It is off book. It has been simply staged and directed with precision and love by Sidney J. Burgoyne. It is sensational. A phenomenal achievement.
Perhaps the time is ripe for this production of RAGTIME to now forge ahead and take its rightful place as one of the finest examples of American Musical Theatre. What with all the talk about “change” from an afro-American man and his opponent – for the first time ever – a woman running for the Presidency of America – the themes of RAGTIME resonate with a new and timely force. America is still the land of opportunity. The land where anyone can pursue their dream and make it happen. Where out of the struggle emerges strength. And where hope will live on forever.
All of the characters in RAGTIME are facing “change” and coping with it as best they can. There is the WASP family from New Rochelle, the Jewish, artistic immigrant with his daughter and the enigmatic, black pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. - who created this new sound called ragtime. The characters and themes of the show are tightly interwoven. The songs are stories unto themselves. The lyrics are beautiful and well crafted. The music powerful and diverse as the characters they are written for. A truly incredible score.
Sung by an incredible cast. Everyone is first rate. But I have to single out David Villella as the immigrant Tateh who has a compassion and humor and sparkle about him. As Coalhouse, Jerry Dixon is a charismatic presence. As is Nicholas Ward as Booker T. Washington. Farah Alvin as Mother can break your heart with “Back to Before”. Rosena M. Hill as Sarah is a breathtaking powerhouse. Also Robert Ousley, Patrick Porter, Brian Charles Rooney, Patricia Noonan, Steven Nicholas, Kathryn Markey and all the others are just terrific.
It is a monumental risk to do this show. It is large. With a cast of twenty two. When first produced in 1998 there was some criticism that it was over produced – what with all the sets and costumes. At White Plains there are two grand pianos facing each other on either side of the stage which are expertly played by James Bassi and Steven Gross, three sets of steps which are attached to a platform and a center screen where projections are shown. And some props. That’s it. It is perfectly designed by BJ Forman. Costumes (Matthew Hemesath) are again perfect without being elaborate. The subtle and excellent lighting design by Thom Weaver brings to life the many different locales and adds mightily to the simplicity of the overall production. To quote lyricist, Lynn Ahrens, who attended the performance with Stephen Flaherty – “This is the nude RAGTIME”. When asked if I could quote her, she laughed and said that it would help sell tickets. That is not a problem here. The “only four” performances are sold out but RAGTIME is ready for the big move to Broadway and a much longer run.
02-04-08
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wrote:
Oscar Moore's reviews are always so wonderful. They are so Intelligent and well written.
wrote:
Dear Oscar,
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support of our RAGTIME. It was truly a labor of love (you noticed) on the parts of every individual in one of the most committed companies I've ever been blessed to be part of. The experience was all too brief and I do not mind admitting that I ache a bit from the end of it. I suspect it will stick to my ribs for a long time to come.
Bless The White Plains Performing Arts Center for its unwillingness to settle for anything short of excellence. May they keep that ball in the air for years.
Yours,
Sidney J. Burgoyne
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