“Ragtime”

 Highly Recommended ***** Have you seen Terrence McNally’s “Ragtime”? I had seen seven productions over the years and then came number 8! The sterling production of Music Theater  Works in their new home in Skokie. Now I can say that “I have seen “Ragtime”! This production, under the skillful eye of Director Stacey Flaster is a MUST SEE production. The talent in this show is amazing! The voices pure majesty!

“Ragtime” with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens is a look at history that tells us the story  is based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, that tells a tale that in some ways is still true. The story deals with love and hate, racism, rights, legacies, honor, liberty and of great importance, justice for all!

The story is about people. Different people! An upper-class family that has it all ( or so it seems), a determined Jewish immigrant and a Harlem musician as they make their way in life during the early 1900’s. Much of the story or stories is that of “the American Dream” and each one’s quest for the same. The opening number “Ragtime” is probably one of the longest opening numbers one will ever see in any musical. It introduces the story and the characters and the entire cast takes the stage to do so. It is powerful and sets the mood for the long ( but worth sitting for) musical that Music Theater Works opted to bring to their new stage.

There are many who consider this play more than a “musical”, but almost an opera with some speaking. It is powerful and delivers so many messages that will leave you thinking about the direction our country has taken. Some of what you will see will be disturbing. The language is tough, the “N” word is used, the situations are for many things that they have read about but never seen first hand. I can tell you that the stories contained in this beautiful production are based on real stories and real people.

We meet our perfect ( or are they?) family Father ( Brian Hupp), Mother ( Kelly Britt who is powerful and has a vocal range that will amaze you), their son ( the adorable Hogan Porter), Mother’s younger brother (Ryan Dooley) and Grandfather ( Bob Sanders). They are upper class and have it all. We also meet Coalhouse Walker Junior ( Curtis Bannister handles this role as if it were written for him- what a talent) and his friends. For the immigrants, we meet Tateh (  Dan Gold, who I am seeing in a whole new light. I knew he had talent, but now realize just how much) and his little girl (Omni Lichtenstein is adorable) as they come to America to escape Russian tyranny.

During the two hours and forty-five minutes ( with an intermission) we watch how these paths cross and how each relates to another. The key to the story however is Mother. She is the apex to the triangle . In the story she finds a baby in her flower bed. A baby abandoned by Sarah ( Lydia Buke is another fantastic performer who’s voice and range are perfect for the role). She takes both mother and son in and helps raise the little boy all the while, her husband leaves for Europe to help the country. We learn that the little boy is Coalhouse Walker II through the story ( by the way, during the epilogue, we meet him as well (Brady Seth Barton).

Other characters of note ( of the time) are Harry Houdini (Alexander Christ), J.P. Morgan (James Spangler, Henry Ford (Christopher Davis) Emma Goldman ( played to perfection by Michelle Owens), Booker T. Washington ( a powerful Korey White) and Evelyn Nesbit ( Laura Sportiello will blow you away). Other voices that will amaze you are Trenton Baker, Alexis Armstrong, Rebecca Bradford, Charlitha Charleston, Wesley Clerge, Molly Dibble, Breannna Ghostone, Cynthia Hindmon, Nick Johnson, Darryl D’Angelo Jones, Jason Krumwiede, Michelle Lee, Caroline Lyell, Mondisa Monde, Michelle Owens, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Robert Schroeder, Sara Stern, Josh Pablo Szabo, Jordan Taylor and Donnie Williams. They ensemble is an important part of making a productions such as this complete. Many take on several roles and while they have no actual “identity”, they are key to the whole story being told properly.

There is also a wonderful love story contained within, but I will let you discover the “happy ending” for yourselves. As I said earlier and will say again, this is a MUST SEE production of a special story.

This is not a big dance show, but choreographer Ariel Etana Triunfo has some numbers that are terrific. The Musical Director/Conductor , as usual is Roger L. Bingaman and as usual it is wonderful ( there are 18 musicians in the pit). Rachel Spryniewski’s costumes are far more than I would expect from a local theater. They were surely “Broadway”! The sound ( Jonesy Jones) and lighting ( Andrew Meyers) and the props (Ellen Marcus) were up to the Music Theater Works standards of perfection and the set design (Sotirios Livaditis) allowed for scene changes to happen swiftly ( helping the time move faster). The fight choreography was handled by Nick Sandys who is a specialist in this and the wardrobe crew led by Jenna Williams made some amazingly fast changes as ensemble members changed characters with their costumes.

If you have never seen this musical, I would suggest you see this version. If you have seen this musical, may I suggest you see THIS production. The genius of Stacy Flaster and what she brought to the stage is worth finding the time. And this brings me to the only negative aspect of this production, you only have  until November 7th to do so!

Performances are as follows:

Tonight at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow ( 10/31) 2 p.m.

Wednesday, 11/3 1 p.m.

Friday 8 p.m.

Saturday 11/6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, 11/7 2 p.m.

Tickets range from $41 to $108 ( guests under 25, 50% off)

box office 847-673-6300 or online

The theater is the North Shore Center for Performing Arts located at 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie with lots of free parking.

All guests are required to wear face mask during the entire performance and to present their photo ID with proof of vaccination.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Ragtime”.

There is a great dining spot next door, Jameson’s Charhouse  847-673-9700, www.jamesons-charhouse.com/skokie  . quick and easy- great menu!

NOTE Our friends, Barry and Fern were supposed to leave for Florida yesterday morning, missing this production. Their plane was cancelled and could not be rescheduled until Sunday. While they were upset, the good people of Music Theater Works came through with two tickets and as Barry said “This was serendipity”. Missing that plane was terrific becuase they got to see an amazing production! Says it all!                ‘