Teach8853's Full Review: Ragtime: The Musical by Original Broadway Cast
Step back in time to a place where opportunity grew on trees but human ignorance spoiled the harvest. Step back in time to an era when dreams grew like wildflowers but died quickly from the unexpected frost of the human heart. The journey is to turn of the century America and the time is the era of ragtime.
Ragtime, a musical written based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, opened at the Merriam Theater on February 1st. It is the powerful story of three extraordinary families whose lives are blended together amid the turmoil of a growing country.
Coalhouse Walker Jr., played by Lawrence Hamilton, is a native of Harlem who woos many with his piano playing ability. Coalhouse is in love with Sarah, played by Lovena Fox, but she leaves him due to his unchanging, chauvinistic ways. Finally reformed, Coalhouse is determined to find Sarah and his newborn son.
The young family is finally reunited and Coalhouse and Sarah find themselves deeply in love when a racial incident leads to the beating death of Sarah. Determined to get revenge, Coalhouse kills many firemen and destroys several firehouses. Eventually Coalhouse finds himself surrounded by the authorities and is forced to make a life changing decision.
Hamilton's portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. is phenomenal as can be seen by this actor's gripping and convincing performance. His vocal ability is both powerful and tender, a gift not seen in many musical performers.
Tateh, played by Jim Corti, is a Jewish immigrant who arrives in America for economic prosperity and a promising future for his young, motherless daughter. Caught in the spell of the "American Dream", Tateh quickly loses heart when he can find no work or provisions in this land of mistaken opportunity. As his heart breaks, Tateh gives his child a gift, a self-made moving storybook, and unexpectantly falls into a sale that eventually takes him and his daughter out of poverty and into a life of wealth and well being.
The story of Tateh and his daughter is particularly moving. Corti is convincing as a distraught and desperate father wanting nothing more than to protect and provide for his only child. The Little Girl, played by Lindsay Nyman, is equally convincing as her presence on stage expresses helplessness and despair.
Both Coalhouse Walker Jr. and Tateh become intimately involved with yet another remarkable family. Though unnamed in the play, the family's ethnic background is white Anglo-Saxon Protestant and their economic status is middle to upper class.
Father, played by Stephen Zinnato, is an adventurer. Mother, played by Cathy Widner, is a dedicated Christian, who opens her heart to those in need. Mother soon finds herself welcoming Sarah into her home and is eventually key in reuniting the young couple.
Mother's relationship to Tateh is compelling from their very first meeting and is one of warmth and deep personal understanding.
Both Zinnato and Widner are dynamic in their roles. The uneasiness of the couple's stormy marriage, the differences in their personal values and the strength of their determinations are heard with each spoken word.
Ragtime explodes with energy as the musical score, written by Stephen Flaherty, takes on ethnic tones and scatters them among traditional American verse. The songs, which include A Stetl iz Amereke, Gettin' Ready Rag, Wheels of a Dream, and Back to Before are spellbinding masterpieces.
In addition to the musical score, Ragtime includes real-life historical accounts of turn of the century America. Characters such as Admiral Robert Peary, escape artist Harry Houdini, automobile creator Henry Ford, banker J.P. Morgan, and educator Booker T. Washington add life and authenticity to this incredible story.
The journey to see Ragtime, now playing through February 12th, is well worth the trip because it is the story of America and the story of a nation where crushed hopes can still be renewed and broken dreams replanted.
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