B'way Review: Ragtime

Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and 
Brandon Uranowitz in Ragtime.
Credit: Matthew Murphy

Ragtime has been never been more relevant and Lear deBessonet’s epic production for Lincoln Center Theater where she has recently been installed as artistic director, fills the vast Vivian Beaumont stage with passion, pageantry and an uncompromising view of the American dream. The musical is especially timely now as the Trump administration attempts to retell our national story from a fraudulently rosy perspective. 

E.L. Doctorow’s sleek, ironic novel emerged as a best-seller in 1975 as the Watergate scandal forced us to reevaluate our past. Through the intertwined stories of three disparate families in the early 20th century, Doctorow explored the American experience both glorious and shameful. American-American ragtime pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. attempts to live the American Dream, but when crushed by racism, he resorts to vengeful violence. Latvian immigrant Tateh forges a new identity and emerges from poverty to stake a claim in the infant media of moving pictures. A nameless wealthy white family, who has built their fortune on patriotic firework displays (get the symbolism?), finds it must adjust to the rapidly changing times or be left behind.