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Ragtime
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Music Director Eugene Dizon
Choreographer by Brenda Didier
Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
At the Apollo Theatre
2540 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-935-6100, tickets $41.50 - $46.50
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 7:30
Sundays at 3:30 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
August 26, 2007
Stirring early 20th Century saga of America soars
Review Update: August 5, 2007:
Replacing a cast member in the middle of a show’s run is a most difficult task yet Walter Stearns has found nine new performers to seamlessly weave into this terrific musical, Ragtime. From Timothy Amos as Willie Conklin, to Chuck Sisson as grandfather, to Steve Tomlitz as Henry Ford, to Peter Oyloe as Harry Houdini, to Bethany Thomas as Sarah’s friend; these talented actors added to the luster of this brilliant show. Justin Stein (a high school senior) as Brother and Bernadette Garza as Sarah and Henry Michael Odum as Tateh were especially excellent. These players give the production added energy as they respect the material and delivered spirited work. They blended with holdovers Drew Mikuska, Bil Ingraham, Charissa Aaron and Jayson Brooks to continue to offer the finest musical playing in Chicago. Rediscover this gem.
June 16 Update:
Walter Stearns has his cast in an improved, tighter production of the American new classic musical: Ragtime. This remount, now open at the larger Apollo Theater (seats 461), continues the amazing production values that renders such an impressive and thoroughly enjoyable musical treat. This is the first remount at a larger venue for Porchlight Music Theatre. Get your entire family to Lincoln Avenue to see this beautiful show. Ragtime is pure America, pure wonderful musical theatre. I especially liked the intense work from Drew Mikuska as the Little Boy, Charissa Armon as Mother and Jayson Brooks as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. Seeing this show again, I realized how terrific a Stearns’ directed show can be. Don’t miss this gem!
Tom Williams
Highly Recommended
June 16, 2007
Original Review:
Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago’s Ragtime is their finest work since their magnificent Sweeney Todd a couple of years ago. This is a major achievement for Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon whose uncanny ability to stage major shows with a large look and feel in a small stage is incomparable. From the multi-level set (designed by Roy Hine) to the grand music arrangements from Eugene Dizon’s orchestra to the fine seamless choreography by Brenda Didier to the wonderful voices, this Ragtime begs to be seen. Porchlight’s Ragtime will move you with its stunning heart and honest emotional core. This is musical theatre at its finest. 
Featuring a Tony Award winning book by Terrence McNally that weaves E.L. 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. Ragtime is a lesson on how to adapt a novel for the stage.
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. Lynn Ahrens’ lyrics are meaningful and resonating.
Director Walter Stearn’s tight staging and smooth transitions are polished and give the show an epic feel. His casting is superb featuring so many outstanding performers with excellent dancing ability and strong voices despite having only two Equity contracts available. Choreographer Brenda Didier’s dances were brilliantly staged with a nice variety appropriate to each song.
Among the cast are the strong voiced Charissa Armon as Mother whose presence complemented the Bil Ingraham’s bewildered Father. Both sang their numbers nicely. Drew Mikuska’s vibrancy as The Little Boy was cute while Scott Sowinski played the Brother with a messianic fervor. Karla Beard’s wonderful voice gave Sarah a warm feel while Jayson Brooks’ youthfully optimistic Coalhouse Walker Jr. was electrifying. Brooks has a marvelous voice as he nailed “Wheels of A Dream” and “Make Them Hear You” wonderfully. Jayson Brooks is a star in the making.
Aaron Graham, as Tateh, the Jewish immigrant determined to get his share of the American dream offered fine singing and excellent acting. Jeremy Trager’s Harry Houdini, Sarah Hayes’ Emma Goldman and Maggie Portman’s Evelyn Nesbit added fine turns. The cast of 21 players gave depth to this ambitious piece especially Randolph Johnson’s stately Booker T. Washington.
Prochlight’s Ragtime, staged in an intimate venue, allows the shows richly emotion elements to penetrate into our psychic. The many fine harmonies and melodies were memorable and heartwarming. Kudos to Porchlight Music Theatre for this triumph. Ragtime begins to be seen, come and rediscover the epic saga of America and bring your teens so they can discover musical theatre.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: April 9, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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