Ragtime was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, and awarded Best Book and Best Score. The brilliant music and lyrics written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. ![]() Doctorow and playwright Terrance McNally. Other characters were created by novelist E.L. Their voices and talents shine in each character, some representing real people in America’s history like Harry Houdini, J.P Morgan, Emma Goldman, and Evelyn Nesbit. All of the actors seem so perfectly cast. I had to look twice to believe that the backdrop wasn’t just the natural wall! The stage is fairly bare, with a piano moving in and out, and sometimes doubling as a car or a table top. The look and feel of the place blend directly into the set design. Theater Latte’ Da is now the proud owners of the historic Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. I think that we can all find ourselves somewhere in this story and in the haunting melodies. Ragtime, the Musical, is the American story. Ragtime, the music, is truly an American music. The themes of Ragtime, the Musical, are the same ones we face today: racism, poverty, fear and oppression of immigrants, distrust of anyone who is different from you, the rich and powerful having too much control, the quest for justice, and always the need to be heard. ![]() The baseline is our steady heartbeat, and the syncopation is the individual’s path. At times, it seems very complicated, and other measures are easy and melodic. Rags are known for their steady baseline, rocking between octaves, back and forth like the chug of the train, while the right hand is jumping around in a syncopated melody. The music is the thread that ties it together, giving the multi-layered stories a common melody and a rhythm. They probably thought it was going to be mainly about the music. My boys were surprised that it had so much social relevance. Life is complicated, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier. You can’t help but ache for their shattered dreams, the roadblocks to a successful, peaceful life, the tragedies, and moments of tenderness and compassion. All the performers are gifted and give the music and story so much heart. The performance was everything I’d imagined it to be and more. I also wanted my boys to see and hear it, so I brought them with me. So, when I heard that Theater Latte’ Da was doing Ragtime, I made every effort to put it on my reviewing list. One of my favorite go-to books is a collection of Scott Joplin songs. I love that! I’m a pianist and a piano teacher. Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag sold over a million copies and sales of pianos soared. Ragtim e music emerged in the 1890’s and flooded the music industry in the early 1900’s. ![]() Quote of the Day: I’m using the same one that director Peter Rothstein used in his “Notes from the Director” in the program for Ragtime, the Musical, lyrics from New Music:
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