RAGTIME

In Concert with the Lyric Stage Orchestra

FEBRUARY 17-20, 2022 | Majestic Theatre

Based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel, RAGTIME was written by the composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (ANASTASIA, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, SEUSSICAL) and noted playwright Terrence McNally. The original Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards® in 1998, winning 4, including Best Score, Book, and Orchestrations. The production also won both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score.

Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, RAGTIME weaves together three distinctly American tales — that of a stifled, upper-class housewife in New Rochelle (“Mother” played by Mary Gilbreath Grim); a daring, young African American ragtime musician (“Coalhouse Walker, Jr.” played by Christiön Draper); and a determined Jewish immigrant father from Latvia (“Tateh” played by Christopher J Deaton). United by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future, together they discover the surprising interconnections of the human heart and confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.

THE CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Lyric Stage’s powerful concert production proudly features an entirely local cast of 30 singer/actors, led by Mary Gilbreath Grim as Mother, Christiön Draper as Coalhouse Walker, Jr., and Christopher J. Deaton as Tateh, plus a live 19-piece orchestra of Dallas-Fort Worth’s finest musicians. Also featured in the cast are Allison Arroyo & Megan Arroyo as Tateh’s Little Girl, Charles Barry as Grandfather, Stephen Bates, Eric Carter, Sydney Cornelius, Jaden Dominique as Sarah, Camden Duyck as Little Boy/Edgar, Claire Greenberg as Brigit, Lucas Haupert, D’Mariel Jones as Matthew Henson, Ausben “King Aus” Jordan II as Booker T. Washington, Megan A. Liles, Laura Lites as Kathleen, Reoni Newsome, Rylan Oaks as Younger Brother, Anthony J. Ortega as Harry Houdini, Colin Phillips as Willie Conklin, Caroline Rivera as Emma Goldman, Nijel Smith, Kylie Stewart as Evelyn Nesbit, Maximilian Swenson, John Tillman as Henry Ford/Charles Whitman, Jéssica Webba as Sarah’s Friend, John Wenzel as Father, Aaron C. White, and James Williams as J.P. Morgan/Admiral Perry.

RAGTIME in Concert is directed by Feleceia Benton Wilson, and choreographed by Kelly McCain, with Ania Lyons serving as the Assistant Choreographer. The 19-piece orchestra is conducted by veteran Music Director Sheilah Vaughn Walker, with Vonda K. Bowling serving as the Associate Music Director. Lighting Design is by Scott Guenther, and Sound Design by Jorge Guerra. Production and Stage Management are by Ashley Schneider, Madeline Collins, and Jenny Dang. Bruce Greer serves as the Music Supervisor for Lyric Stage’s 28th Season, with Miguel Cantu IV serving as the Orchestra Contractor. RAGTIME in Concert is produced by Catherine Carpenter Cox, who serves as Producer, and Lyric Stage Executive Artistic Director Christopher J. Deaton. Lyric Stage Founder Steven Jones serves as the Consulting Producer.

PRODUCTION PROMO VIDEOS

BURNT PIE PRODUCTIONS

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

JAMIE BROGDON PHOTOGRAPHY

REVIEW

ONSTAGENTX BY MARTHA HEIMBERG

Count on Lyric Stage to again bring a Broadway-level musical experience to eager audiences with their stirring production of Ragtime in Concert at the historic Majestic Theatre. Read on, but grab your tickets right away (if not sooner)—the show only runs through February 20th.

From their beginnings in Irving to their more recent move downtown, Lyric Stage has continued to assemble first-rate soloists, singing ensembles and orchestral musicians for their productions. Their fans always expect a great show, and Ragtime, marking the opening of their 28th season after a nearly two-year hiatus, fills the bill—and way more.

In Concert, as the program takes care to explain, means the 19-piece orchestra and 30-member ensemble perform all the music, dialogue, staging and choreography of a traditional production. The only difference is the absence of sets, scenery and period costumes. Here, the gilded Majestic lobby and red-curtained stage are setting enough for this musical based on E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 historical novel set in turn-of-the-century New York.

Ragtime: the Musical, with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, premiered on Broadway in 1998, and won two Tonys for the glorious songs and ambitious narrative. This modern operetta tells three stories, those of a Harlem musician (reticent, powerful Christion Draper), a wealthy New Rochelle housewife (commanding Mary Gilbreath Grim in barely closeted feminist mode), and a Latvian Jewish immigrant father (terrific tenor Christopher J. Deaton delivers an unfailing Yiddish accent), all crossing paths in fabled melting pot style. They also meet up with Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington and other real historical characters in a joyful, violent, poignant, messy—but always resilient—depiction of the American experience.

Director Feleceia Benton Wilson keeps the three-hour show engaging and the complicated plot lines sorted with her tight, multilevel staging and the help of Scott Guenther’s focused, mood-setting lighting design. The superb orchestra, directed by Sheilah Vaughan Walker, fills the middle of the stage, with Associate Musical Director Vonda K. Bowling on piano, playing the haunting “new” ragtime music that reflects the alluring, singular spirit of the times.

Kelly McCain’s inventive swing-dance choreography energizes the show from the big ensemble opening number to the closing reprise of “Wheels of a Dream,” a gorgeous song about fresh hope overcoming violence and doubt that feels especially uplifting in our own scary times.

And everybody’s so good! Still, a couple of special shout-outs are in order. Jaden Dominique, a resounding soprano with star-quality ease and grace, is musical dynamite in “Your Daddy’s Son,” her song about the agony of a poor young black mother deserted by her lover. She and powerful baritone Draper heat up the stage later in their duets, making clear this beautiful lady is his lifetime musical muse, as written and performed.

Grim belts out an expressive “Goodbye, My Love” and “Back to Before,” making us feel the reality of a shattered marriage. Deaton’s struggling Jewish immigrant is strongest in scenes with his little daughter (perky Allison Arroyo on the night we reviewed; she alternates with Megan Arroyo). He ties her to his own wrist, so she won’t go astray in the big city. His rendition of “Gliding,” sung to cheer the child up, builds in tenderness and charm until he convinces us all that a happy ending is just around the corner.

It’s a pity this stunning and poignant production is only up through February 20th. Time’s running out!


RAGTIME DIGITAL PROGRAM

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  • Music Stephen Flaherty

    Lyrics Lynn Ahrens

    Book Terrance McNally

    Based on the Novel RAGTIME by E. L. Doctorow

    Director Feleceia Benton Wilson

    Choreographer Kelly McCain

    Associate Choreographer Ania Lyons

    Music Director Sheilah Vaughn Walker

    Associate Music Director Vonda K. Bowling

    Music Supervisor Bruce Greer

    Orchestra Contractor Miguel Cantú IV

    Lighting Designer Scott Guenther

    Sound Designer & Engineer Jorge Guerra

    Production Manager Ashley Schneider

    Stage Manager Madeline Collins

    Assistant Stage Manager / Props Jenny Dang

    Producer Catherine Carpenter Cox

    Executive Artistic Director Christopher J. Deaton

    Founder Steven Jones

  • alphabetical by last name

    Allison Arroyo Little Girl (Thursday, Saturday)

    Megan Arroyo Little Girl (Friday, Sunday)

    Charles Barry Grandfather

    Stephen Bates Ensemble

    Eric Carter Ensemble

    Sydney Cornelius Ensemble

    Christopher J. Deaton Tateh

    Jaden Dominique Sarah

    Christiön Draper Coalhouse Walker, Jr.

    Camden Duyck Little Boy/Edgar

    Mary Gilbreath Grim Mother

    Claire Greenberg Ensemble / Brigit

    Lucas Haupert Ensemble

    D’Mariel Jones Ensemble / Matthew Henson

    Ausben “King Aus” Jordan II Booker T. Washington

    Megan A. Liles Ensemble

    Laura Lites Ensemble / Kathleen

    Reoni Newsome Ensemble

    Rylan Oaks Younger Brother

    Anthony J. Ortega Harry Houdini

    Colin Phillips Ensemble / Willie Conklin

    Caroline Rivera Emma Goldman

    Nijel Smith Ensemble

    Kylie Stewart Evelyn Nesbit

    Maximilian Swenson Ensemble

    John Tillman Ensemble / Henry Ford / Charles S. Whitman

    Jéssica Webba Ensemble / Sarah’s Friend

    John Wenzel Father

    Aaron C. White Ensemble

    James Williams Ensemble / Admiral Perry / JP Morgan

  • Violin 1 Rachel Bundy

    Violin 2 Katrina Glaze

    Viola Eric Jones

    Cello Brian Seo

    Double Bass Justin Kujawski

    Guitar / Banjo / Mandolin Maristella Feustle

    Flute / Piccolo Julee Kim Walker

    Oboe / English Horn Rashaad Calaham

    B♭ Clarinet / E♭ Clarinet Christian Gonzalez

    Trumpet 1 Brian Walker

    Trumpet 2 Matthew Daigle

    French Horn Amanda Moskowitz

    Trombone Paul Birk

    Tuba Keith Packman

    Drum Set David Elias

    Percussion Blayze Campbell

    Keyboard 1 Bruce Greer

    Keyboard 2 Jesse Fry

    Keyboard 3 Vonda K. Bowling

    Keyboard Programming Jesse Fry

    Keyboard Rental Trekorda

    Percussion Rental DFW Percussion Rentals

  • Executive Artistic Director Christopher J. Deaton

    Producer Catherine Carpenter Cox

    Founder Steven Jones

    Resident Music Supervisor Bruce Greer

    Accountant & Payroll Gillian Adams

    Publicist Katie-Rose Watson

    Director of Schmidt & Jones Awards Amy Stevenson

    Videographer Burnt Pie Productions

    Production Photographer Jamie Brogdon Photography

    Artwork Designer Daron Cockerell

  • Prologue: Ragtime Company

    Goodbye, My Love Mother

    Journey On Father, Mother, and Tateh

    The Crime of the Century Evelyn Nesbit & Company

    What Kind of Woman Mother, Kathleen, Little Boy, Younger Brother

    A Shtetl iz Amereke Immigrants

    Success Tateh, J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, Emma Goldman, & Company

    His Name Was Coalhouse Walker Coalhouse & Company

    Gettin' Ready Rag Coalhouse & Company

    Henry Ford Henry Ford & Company

    Nothing Like the City Mother, Edgar, Tateh & Little Girl

    Your Daddy's Son Sarah

    The Courtship Mother, Younger Brother, Grandfather, Brigit, & Company

    New Music Father, Mother, Younger Brother, Coalhouse, Sarah & Company

    Wheels of a Dream Coalhouse & Sarah

    The Night that Goldman Spoke at Union Square Younger Brother, Emma Goldman & Company

    Gliding Tateh

    Justice Coalhouse & Company

    President Sarah

    Till We Reach That Day Sarah's Friend & Company

  • Entr'acte Orchestra

    Coalhouse's Soliloquy Coalhouse

    Coalhouse Demands Coalhouse, Booker T. Washington & Company

    What a Game Father, Edgar & Men

    New Music (Reprise) Father

    Atlantic City Evelyn Nesbit, Harry Houdini & Company

    Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc. Tateh

    Our Children Mother & Tateh

    Sarah Brown Eyes Coalhouse & Sarah

    He Wanted to Say Emma Goldman, Younger Brother & Men

    Back to Before Mother

    Look What You've Done Booker T. Washington & Company

    Make Them Hear You Coalhouse

    Epilogue: Ragtime / Wheels of a Dream (reprise) Company

CAST HEADSHOTS

ALPHABETICAL BY LAST NAME

  • ALLISON ARROYO

    as LITTLE GIRL

  • MEGAN ARROYO

    as LITTLE GIRL

  • CHARLES BARRY

    as GRANDFATHER

  • STEPHEN BATES

    as ENSEMBLE / US Father & Willie

  • ERIC CARTER

    as ENSEMBLE / US Booker & Coalhouse

  • SYDNEY CORNELIUS

    as ENSEMBLE / US Sarah & Sarah’s Friend

  • CHRISTOPHER J. DEATON

    as TATEH

  • JADEN DOMINIQUE

    as SARAH

  • CHRISTIÖN DRAPER

    as COALHOUSE WALKER, JR.

  • CAMDEN DUYCK

    as LITTLE BOY (EDGAR)

  • MARY GILBREATH GRIM

    as MOTHER

  • CLAIRE GREENBERG

    as ENSEMBLE / BRIGIT / US Emma

  • LUCAS HAUPERT

    as ENSEMBLE / US Houdini

  • D'MARIEL JONES

    as ENSEMBLE / HENSON

  • AUSBEN "King Aus" JORDAN II

    as BOOKER T. WASHINGTON / Ensemble

  • MEGAN A. LILES

    as ENSEMBLE / US Evelyn & Mother

  • LAURA LITES

    as ENSEMBLE / KATHLEEN / US Mother & Emma

  • REONI NEWSOME

    as ENSEMBLE / US Sarah’s Friend

  • RYLAN OAKS

    as YOUNGER BROTHER

  • ANTHONY J. ORTEGA

    as HARRY HOUDINI / Ensemble / US Tateh

  • COLIN PHILLIPS

    as ENSEMBLE / WILLIE CONKLIN / US Tateh

  • CAROLINE RIVERA

    as EMMA GOLDMAN

  • NIJEL SMITH

    as ENSEMBLE / US Henson

  • KYLIE STEWART

    as EVELYN NESBIT / Ensemble

  • MAXIMILIAN SWENSON

    as ENSEMBLE / US Younger Brother

  • JOHN TILLMAN

    as ENSEMBLE / HENRY FORD / CHARLES WHITMAN

  • JÉSSICA WEBBA

    as ENSEMBLE / SARAH’S FRIEND / US Sarah

  • JOHN WENZEL

    as FATHER

  • AARON C. WHITE

    as ENSEMBLE / US Ford, Whitman, Perry, Morgan

  • JAMES WILLIAMS

    as ENSEMBLE / J.P. MORGAN / ADMIRAL PERRY / US Grandfather