BWW Reviews: RAGTIME at Actors' Playhouse

You want spectacular? You want scintillating? You want all the music, humor, gossip and angst of the early years in America's 20th century? Then, by golly, you want RAGTIME, now looming large at Actors' Playhouse.

And large it is, indeed: 40 excellent actors on a deceptively simple set that spans the entirety of the Playhouse stage. You take your seat and your first thought is: Look out, this is gonna be one big show. And it is.

Based on E.L. Doctorow's 1975 book of the same name, RAGTIME is a two and a half hour portrait of the wealthy whites, the blacks and the destitute immigrants of New York City and New Rochelle in the early 1900s.

Actors' Playhouse version is not a show at which you pitch quibbles. It is lovingly rendered by Director David Arisco and his massive cast; the singing and acting are terrific and the ensemble work is every bit as enjoyable as that from the leads.

And speaking of leads, you can't miss Miamian Don Juan Seward II, as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. Singer, dancer, actor with nothing held back. It's emotion all the way. Sarah Nicole Batts, another Miamian, plays Sarah, Coalhouse's love. Her singing is divine. Fascinating, too, is Tally Sessions as the immigrant Tatch. His steel voice. Ah. Mark Sanders, as the wealthy Father, is a delight as is Melissa Minyard as Mother.

Also featured and standing out are Irene Adjan as Emma Goldman, Nick Duckart as Willie Conklin, Dominique Scott as Younger Brother, Reggie Whitehead as Booker T. Washington and Gabriel Zenone as Henry Ford/Charles S. Whitman. Ken Clement is J.P. Morgan, George Schiavone is Grandfather, Stephanie White plays Evelyn Nesbit and Joshua Dobarganes is Harry Houdini.

I know, I know, I've mentioned only a few actors, but don't worry, because there are many more working just as hard, and brilliantly, on Tim Bennett's ingenious set.

It's pure pleasure to watch the mechanics of this show. It's a complicated piece but the scenes glide seamlessly by. Musical director David Nagy also leads the perfectly swell nine piece orchestra.

Choreographer Ron Hutchins, lighting designer Patrick Tennent and sound designer Mitch Furman, are, as usual, at their very best. Ellis Tillman's costumes are brilliant and endless.

The RAGTIME music was written by Stephen Flaherty with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Terrence McNally.

See it, and I do mean see it, through February 22 at Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-444-9293 www.actorsplayhouse.org

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