Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, RAGTIME weaves together three distinctly American tales - that of a stifled, upper-class housewife in New Rochelle (“Mother” played by Mary Gilbreath Grim) a daring, young African American ragtime musician (“Coalhouse Walker, Jr.” played by Christiön Draper) and a determined Jewish immigrant father from Latvia (“Tateh” played by Christopher J Deaton). The production also won both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score. The original Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards® in 1998, winning 4, including Best Score, Book, and Orchestrations. Doctorow's distinguished novel, RAGTIME was written by the composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (ANASTASIA, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, SEUSSICAL) and noted playwright Terrence McNally. A most captivating theatrical experience awaits. This production of Ragtime is testimony to Kyle DeSantis’ determination to make Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre a major force in American regional theatre. Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre’s production has set a new standard for Chicago musical theatre. It is a non-stop theatrical experience that begs to be seen. Ragtime is a three hour joyous celebration of the human spirit with a soaring score, wonderful singing that is staged to thrill. Cory Goodrich beautifully nails “Goodby, My Love” and “Back To Before.” There are many terrific songs in Ragtime but among my favorites are: the amazing anthem duet by Walker and Sarah, “The Wheels of A Dream’ sung with stirring power by Darrington and LeKae Tateh’s ode to the potential of America in “A Shtetl Iz Amereke/Success” that Kaplan lands with verve. The lady sure knows how to mount a musical! Ragtime is Rachel Rockwell’s finest work to date. Rockwell’s choreography was fresh – her “The Crime of the Century’ was a cute number complete with masks her “Atlantic City” was inventive. You’d be hard pressed to see better ensemble work in a musical. Young Daniel Coonley deftly narrates the show. Valisia LeKae (Sarah), Max Quinlan (Brother), Stef Tovar (Houdini) and Summer Naomi Smart (Evelyn Nesbit) each made major contributions to the show. Flaherty’s score is rich in power anthems that evoke the emotions, the pains and the dreams of people struggling to be part of America.ĭirector/choreographer Rachel Rockwell has assembled a cast of 33 (with mostly Equity actors) that features “A” list talents lead by Larry Adams (Father), Cory Goodrich (Mother), Mark David Kaplan (Tateh) with excellent work from the commanding Quentin Earl Darrington as Coalhouse Walker Jr. With over 30 songs, Ragtime is a modern operetta from three points of view all meshing into a cohesive whole. Lynn Ahrens’ lyrics are meaningful and resonating. Tony award winning score by Stephan Flaherty has a fine mixture of ragtime, vaudeville and early jazz together with lofty ballads, a touch of gospel, Eastern European Jewish flavors, a hint of Joplin and stirring anthems aptly moving the story along. Doctorow’s novel into a cohesive story Ragtime tells three stories-a Harlem musician, a wealthy New Rochelle Wasp family and a Latvian Jewish immigrant in a poignant expose of the timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate in 1906 America. Featuring a Tony Award winning book by Terrence McNally that weaves E.L. Ragtime is an ambitious musical about three key element in development of the American Experience in the early 20th Century. From Kevin Depinet’s set design to Sage Marie Carter’s rear screen video projections (the best use of video I’ve ever seen on stage) to Jesse Klug’s stunning lighting with Garth Helm and Ray Nardelli’s sound design and Santo Loquastro’s early 20th Century costumes – Ragtime is stunning theatrical triumph. What you’ll get when you attend (and you absolutely must) for a ticket price ranging from $31 to $45 is a fully produced Broadway production of Ragtime that is better than most tours that cost $85- $95.Įvery aspect of Rockwell’s production is first-class and executed superbly. Now with director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell’s perfect production of Ragtime, that level has increased even higher. Since Kyle DeSantis and his team of creatives have taken over at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, the shows have constantly gotten better. Lavish, stunning and refreshingly production of Ragtime is a major triumph for Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre! Directed and Choreographed by Rachel Rockwell
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