Review Roundup: RAGTIME at 5th Avenue Theatre

RAGTIME runs at 5th Avenue Theatre through November 5! With scintillating music and an intensely compelling story of love at its core, RAGTIME is a musical theater masterpiece that will inspire and touch your soul. It's the turn of the century; everything is changing. Set in the volatile melting pot of New York City, three distinct American stories are woven together: an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician, all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.

RAGTIME has a book by Terrance McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Aherns.

The cast stars Kendra Kassebaum as Mother, Andi Alhadeff as Emma Goldman, Joshua Carter as Tateh, Douglas Lyons as Coalhouse Walker, Danyel Fulton as Sarah, Billie Wildrick as Evelyn Nesbit, Ty Willis as Booker T. Washington, Matthew Kacergis as Younger Brother, Eric Ankrim as Houdini/Willie Conklin, Louis Hobson as Father/J.P. Morgan, and Hugh Hastings as Grandfather/Henry Ford

The cast also features Asa Adams, Lauren Du Pree, Emily Hamilton, Coleman Hunter, Apollo Jones, Richard Peacock, Tatum Poirrier, and Marrsean Sonko. Watch the video to see the cast in action!

RAGTIME is directed by Peter Rothstein, with choreography by Kelli Foster Warder, music direction by Ben Whiteley, scenic design by Michael Hoover, costume design by Trevor Brown, lighting design by Duane Schuler, and sound design by Christopher Walker.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Michael Strangeways, Seattle Gay Scene: This production also sounds glorious with new orchestrations by Bruce Monroe; vocal arrangements by Kat Sherrell, and Ben Whiteley's terrific music direction. Not only does the orchestra sound fantastic but vocally, this cast is very impressive with beautiful singing from all three principals: Kendra Kassebaum as Mother, Douglas Lyons as Coalhouse Walker and Joshua Carter as Tateh... The 5th Avenue Theatre's Ragtime is divinely inspired musical dramatic theater...a beautifully executed musical portrait of early 20th Century America exquisitely staged, designed and performed.

Jay Irwin, BroadwayWorld: The ensemble cast, to put it simply, is from the Gods. Kassebaum is a revelation as Mother as she invests so much thought and emotion into the role and her relationship with Hobson is picture perfect even when we see the flaws in that picture. Carter is stunning as the distraught and devoted Tateh who eventually becomes the ebullient Baron but never loses the heart... I cannot express how much of a can't miss this show is. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the show or a newbie this production will surely ignite a passion and love for the piece, new or renewed.

Photo: Mark Kitaoka