Review: Ritz Theatre's RAGTIME

Easily one of most under-rated musicals to come out of Broadway in the last 20 years, Ragtime: The Musical-with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens-follows the lives of three families and their communities through the tumultuous and promise filled early 20th century. For each member of the African American, upper-class suburbanite, and Eastern European immigrant groups, the fight for understanding brought unique perspectives to this vibrant and challenging time in American history.

The opening number nicely sets the framework for the melting pot mix of people about to merge on the docks of the New York Harbor. Within the first 10 minutes the characters break into song and dance each representing three separate story lines that will intersect and mesh. The ensembles' uneasy dance moves set the scene for the obvious prejudices about to unfold as all three class groups test the waters of life in America and struggle for tolerance towards each other.

There are the generic 'suitable' long time white residents of New Rochelle; A family simply lead by Father (David M. Mooney), Mother, played by Megan Ruggles who is the backbone of Ragtime. She is the main person to interact with all of three of the story lines, and serves to unify the show. There's also their son Edger (Nicky Intrieri) and Mother's younger brother (Taylor Darden).

The story revolves around the ill-fated love between Coalhouse Walker Jr. ( Kyrus Keenan Wescott), the charismatic jazz pianist and his lover Sarah (Tiffany Dawn Christopher), as well as the underclass residents of Harlem. The third story line belongs to Tateh (Fernando Gonzalez), a Jewish immigrant inspired by expectations of a better life for his daughter (Sara Chesnick) as well as a group of Russian Jews all looking for hope and prosperity in America. Also on hand are such iconic figures as Henry Ford (Michael J.S. DeFlorio), Emma Goldman played by Analisa Wall, Harry Houdini (Topher Laytonl), Evelyn Nesbit (Julia Kershetsky) and J.P. Morgan (Michael Wemer) as well as Terrance Hart as Booker T. Washington.

Each staged version of Ragtime is a challenge for the director as he or she moves three sets of people around one another almost the entire production hoping to grab all the emotions and deliver the script in a compelling fashion. Ritz director/choreographer Peter John Rios efforts range from solid to slightly missing the mark. Some central scenes seem a bit rushed into one another and the placement of key characters and scenes to far left and right and above seem to take away the "moment" that was meant to be captured.

Ritz casting ranges from solid to mediocre. Wescott's Coalhouse is enthusiastic and compelling. He also is a strong singer and dancer. Christopher's Sarah is beautifully portrayed and the two sound amazingly well in their duets! Gonzales's Tateh is well enough to enjoy yet lacks panache this pivotal roles calls for. Mother's younger brother played by Taylor Darden is outstanding, while David M. Mooney's "Father" is somewhat uneventful. The two children Nicky Intrieri (little boy) and Sara Chesnick, Tateh's daughter are delightfully played. Megan Ruggles Mother is solid, refined and lovely.

The compelling score is thought provoking and exhilarating as they grab all the appropriate emotions forwarding the plot so well that you barely recover from one scene when your are thrust into another drama. Outstanding songs include the show stopping opening number "Ragtime", "Getting' Ready Rag", "Your Daddy's Son" sung beautifully by Sarah, "The Wheels of a Dream" by Sarah and Coalhouse, "Back to Before" powerfully sung by Mother as she realizes her life and the world can never go back to what is was again, and of course "Make Them Hear You" by the broken yet brave Coalhouse.

RAGTIME plays at the Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township NJ through February 4 .For tickets and more information please visit www.ritztheatreco.org or call 856.858.5230

Photos by Chris Miller

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