THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: RAGTIME Opens On Broadway

By: Jan. 22, 2015
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Today we are recounting the opening night of one of the most cherished of all modern musicals, RAGTIME.

New Music

A new musical about one of the most important and transformative periods in American history lovingly crafted by an all-American creative team, 1998 musical RAGTIME was a true red, white and blue American musical of the highest order, penned by noted playwright Terrence McNally with a score by songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, led by director Frank Galati and choreographer Graciela Daniele. Musicalizing the expansive and epic EL Doctorow novel of the same name, RAGTIME offered audiences the opportunity to glance back at a rich and volatile period in American history rife with race relations coming to a head, workers struggling for rights, entertainment taking on exciting new forms and a fresh sound emerging from saloons and clubs around the country - ragtime. Headlined by an exceptional original cast led by Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marin Mazzie, Peter Friedman, Audra McDonald, Mark Jacoby and Judy Kaye in a stunning and carefully crafted original Broadway production, RAGTIME was in many ways one of the last gasps or even a call back to the mega-musical made so popular and ubiquitous throughout the 1980s given its lavish production design and expansive cast and orchestra. Unfortunately, it premiered the same season as Disney's revolutionary theatrical extravaganza THE LION KING, with pundits and fans alike pitting the two vastly different entertainment entities against each other ever since - with the battle for the better musical all coming to a head later that year at the Tony Awards.

Opening on January 18, RAGTIME warmed the hearts of audiences and many critics alike when it opened in the cold January of 1998 and eventually went on to win several Tony Awards later that year, including Best Featured Actress In A Musical for Audra McDonald's searing and unforgettable portrayal of Sarah, Best Book Of A Musical for Terrence McNally's sharp libretto, Best Original Score for Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's emotional and engaging music and lyrics along with William David Brohn winning Best Orchestrations. As history would have it, THE LION KING ended up taking home the top prize for Best Musical along with securing many of the technical categories and Best Director, but RAGTIME still came up a winner at that year's awards - not to mention the impact that the musical has had on generations new and old since its first performance more than 15 years ago.

Since the original 1998 production, RAGTIME returned to Broadway in a rapturously received revival in 2009 that was painfully short-lived - closing quite close to this very same week back in 2010 on January 10, as a matter of fact - yet the idealistic message and beautifully told story at the center of the show continues to bring audiences to their feet and tears to their eyes in regional theaters and school productions. The "new music" described in RAGTIME became the music of an entire generation at the turn of the century and it is now being passed down through the skillfully told history of that era as represented in the show itself onstage - all with a stylish and thoughtful new syncopation.

Now, let's revisit RAGTIME's performance on the 1998 Tony Awards.

Also, check out this clip of the spectacular 2002 UK concert production.

Plus, glean a glimpse of the 2009 revival.

So, what is your absolute favorite element of the elegant, sturdy and strong RAGTIME? Furthermore, what song stays with you most of all? With a true to life history this rich, a meaningful story so flawlessly told and a score this impressive, RAGTIME is destined to be considered a classic musical for many years to come - continually giving new meaning and voice to "new music".


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