Ragtime, Lincoln Center Theater at the Vivian Beaumont, New York City

It was the music
Of something beginning,
An era exploding,
A century spinning
In riches and rags,
And in rhythm and rhyme.
The people called it Ragtime…

Mother and Father: a very privileged white family. Tateh and his daughter: recent Jewish immigrants from Latvia. Coalhouse and Sarah: a black couple with a newborn. Ragtime, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, follows three families in early 20th century New York. The new “ragged” musical rhythm reflects the friction occurring as people of different cultures, means, races and ethnicities chase the American dream.

I love all history, but I have a special fascination with New York history. Such diversity, so many larger-than-life characters. Many of them make an appearance: J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, Booker T. Washington, Stanford White and showgirl Evelyn Nesbit, activist Emma Goldman (played by Shaina Taub who also played Alice Paul in SUFFS, a bit of type-casting there.)

The story starts a bit disjointed as it jumps from family to family. It was a bit frustrating to be absorbed in one storyline then to abruptly jump to another. But once the the stories truly start to intertwine, e.g. when piano player Coalhouse Walker Jr, played by the fantastic Joshua Henry, enters the picture, the story takes off.

The performances and music are the stars of this show. There were at least four, maybe five standing ovations during the show. First off, Joshua Henry as Coalhouse. So much presence on stage. The passion, love, frustration, burning desire for justice: Coalhouse really goes through it. This role could easily be a caricature, but Joshua Henry’s rich baritone is really special, deep, low, strong, velvety. The power and emotion just burns. I was so moved during all of songs. He is deservedly up for a Tony for lead actor in a musical. I think he received two standing ovations during the show.

Nichelle Lewis also received a standing ovation while portraying Sarah. I cried during Your Daddy’s Son (I cried multiple times during the show.) Caissie Levy, who nails all her songs and kills Back to Before, brings so much empathy and depth to Mother. Colin Donnel actually brings a small bit of sympathy to Father, the character resistant and bewildered by the changing times. Brandon Urbanowitz shines as struggling artist Tateh, and Ben Levi Ross has a great supporting performance as Younger Brother.

The sets are minimal, more large, moveable props than true sets. The focus is the songs and performances. It’s a concert really. If you are unable to see the show, I highly recommend seeing the cast’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert. You can find it on YouTube.

Ragtime is up for 11 Tony nominations, including Best Musical Revival. Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Nichelle Lewis, Brandon Urbanowitz, and Ben Levi Ross are all nominated in performance categories. That’s how stacked the performances are here.  I haven’t seen all the performances nominated, but I would not be surprised if Joshua and Cassie take the wins for lead performances. We will find out June 7!