This was my first time to see Ragtime. The only song that I recognized was On the Wheels of a Dream. There aren't that many memorable songs in Ragtime, however, the show is still magnificent! I see a lot of theatre in Huntsville. It was wonderful to see such a large cast and to sit in the "cozy" Lee High School auditorium and see a show on "big screen" stage. The cast of 67 actors, singers and dancers is directed by Vivienne Atkins and Deborah Fleischman and features such strong favorites as Jennifer Simmons, Jason Lockhart, Christie McCleary, Jeff Stricklin, Darin Windham, Patrick Johnson, Delle Lloyd, Tyrone Sumlin, Jonathan Curtis, Marianne Windham, John Weber, Rankin Sneed, Aleisa Campbell, Elizabeth Lombardino and Patton Chandler. The talent is so encompassing on this show that my husband asked me "where do they get these people?" I'm proud to say that most of them are from Huntsville! After seeing the Independent Musical Productions amazing "The Civil War" last year, I'm amazed at the huge projects this company is willing to tackle. Ragtime is another production that many theatres wouldn't even attempt, let alone be able to excel at. Just a few remarks: there were a couple glitches in sound and lighting at the rehearsal that I attended, but I'm sure those areas have been ironed out by now. On the other hand, this might seem minor--but attention to detail always impacts a show--the doll used for the baby was excellent! Not one of those cheap dolls that usually gets thrown in a blanket and tossed around on stages all over town. Also, the Model T is great. Atkins told me that it is borrowed from the theatre department of the University of Alabama. However, I was a little disappointed in the guns--they certainly didn't look realist to me--but that might be an advantage!
The costumes and choreography are outstanding in this show. Choreographer Brad Howard is to be recommended for managing should a large group into some very complicated numbers. The energy and enthusiasm of the dancers really moves the show along. Unlike some shows, this one opens with a spectacular, attention-grabbing dance number and makes the audience sit up and take notice.
Ragtime is based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel which unfolds in such varied turn-of-the century settings as Ellis Island, Broadway, Harlem, Penn Station, Atlantic City and Manhattan's Lower East Side. Interwoven with major historic events of the time,the heart of Ragtime is the story of three remarkable families: one upper-middle class, white Anglo-Saxon Protestant, one socialist immigrant Jewish, and one Harlem Black-whose lives become dramatically intertwined with one another and with the historical characters and events of the period.
Coalhouse Walker Jr. is a fiery black piano man who demands retribution when his Model T is destroyed by a mob of white troublemakers. Walker's love interest is a young girl named Sarah who has been taken in by a WASP family ruled by "Father," a patriarchal figure who dominates his household (and his submissive wife) with his overbearing presence.
Tateh is a Jewish immigrant who unwittingly finds himself involved in the birth of the motion picture industry after inventing a flip book for his daughter. An adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's novel, Ragtime takes us into the lives of these characters in a tale of turn-of-the-century America that also features such historical figures as Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington, J.P. Morgan and Henry Ford.
Some of my favorites in this musical is Christie McCleary as Mother. She always does a great job in all her shows and I've enjoyed watching her in different roles. Jennifer Simmons is fabulous as "Sarah." Her voice is lovely and she makes us sympathize with her character. Jason Lockhart captures the heart of Coalhouse and Tyrone Simmons as Booker T. Washington commands the role. Jeff Sticklin does an admirable job as Tateh.
The great thing about this show is that the synergy of the whole cast is what makes it so entertaining and enjoyable. I encourage you to get to this show before it ends. I don't think you'll regret it! Ragtime will be onstage in Huntsville June 11-12 and 17-19 at 7:30 pm and June 13 and 19, 2004 at 2:30 pm in Lee High Auditorium, 606 Forrest Circle, Huntsville. Tickets are $18 for Adults and $15 for Student and Seniors. Group discounts available. Contact 859-2563 for more information.
