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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Ragtime Also see Gil's review of Six: Teen Edition
Set primarily in and around New York City, Ragtime is based on E.L. Doctorow's expansive 1975 novel and follows the intersecting lives of three characters, and their families, from very different backgrounds: Mother, a white woman from a wealthy suburb just north of the city; Coalhouse Walker, Jr., a Black pianist from Harlem; and Tateh, a Jewish immigrant newly arrived in America. Doctorow weaves historical figures like Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington, Evelyn Nesbit, and Henry Ford into the plot, which tackles issues such as racism, workers' rights, and the immigrant experience–topics that remain strikingly relevant today. With music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally, all Tony Award winners for their work, Ragtime masterfully transforms Doctorow's novel into a musical that feels both sweeping and deeply personal. McNally's book expertly weaves together the three central storylines while seamlessly integrating the historical figures that defined the era. The Flaherty and Ahrens score is a masterpiece, rich with emotion and variety that enhances the epic scope of the story while also capturing the intimate moments of each character's journey. With a cast of over thirty actors, director Peter J. Hill does an excellent job ensuring each performer creates a distinct character while keeping the action and pacing tight on Fountain Hills' relatively small stage. The small space provides intimacy to the production and makes the emotional moments pack even more of a wallop. Although a few lines of dialogue and song lyrics were lost due to rushed delivery at the performance I attended and several of the cast are slightly older than their characters, Hill and his cast still hit nearly every dramatic beat and also draw plenty of laughs from the humor in McNally's script. Hill's set may be minimal, but clever use of projections from Hill and Ross Collins helps to convey the many locations in the sprawling story. The period costumes by Dr. Toya Abrams are beautifully detailed, and Kathleen Berger's music direction brings out rich harmonies from the ensemble and impressive vocal performances from nearly the entire cast. Andrew McDuff's choreography is varied and impressive and danced quite well by the large cast. C.J. Blankenship delivers a powerful, fiery performance as Coalhouse, exuding grace, deep love for those closest to him, and a fierce sense of justice when wronged. His vocals are fairly strong in his two standout numbers, "Wheels of a Dream" and "Make Them Hear You." As Mother, Kathie Merritt brings warmth and compassion, portraying a woman at a turning point who realizes she can control her own fate, no longer confined by living within her husband's shadow. Her heartfelt rendition of "Back to Before" is delivered quite well, with a powerful ending, as are her duets with her fellow cast members. Adam Guinn is equally compelling as Tateh, maintaining a consistent European accent and infusing the role with passion and emotional depth. His portrayal highlights Tateh's intense struggle to protect his daughter (Rachel Phillippi shines in the role), with poignant moments in his solo "Gliding" and a rich, touching duet with Merritt in "Our Children." Guinn's scenes with Phillippi are quite moving and emotional. In supporting roles, Aicha Ba excels as Sarah, the woman Coalhouse loves, with a commanding stage presence and impassioned vocals that make her performance exceptional; her delivery of "Your Daddy's Son" is quite impressive. Daniel Miga effectively portrays the stoic Father, while Seth Tutnick brings depth and sincerity to Younger Brother, capturing the inner turmoil of a young man searching for purpose with intense conviction. Nikki Reeves delivers one of the finest portrayals of Emma Goldman I've seen, balancing feistiness and empathy, and Kori Stearns' lovely vocals and playful expressions make her Evelyn Nesbit a delight. Christopher Spurling and Henry Male deliver warm portrayals and get a few big laughs as the curious Little Boy and the grumpy Grandfather, respectively. Raheem Cole, Richard Powers Hardt, Mark Knoblauch, Felicia Penza, Pat Russel, and Logan Talarico all give strong performances in their supporting roles, from Henry Ford to Booker T. Washington and other characters. The large ensemble impresses throughout, delivering distinctive characters and beautiful harmonies that elevate the production. Ragtime is a profoundly moving musical that captures both the promise and the challenges of America at the dawn of the 20th century, as individuals face the hardships and hopes in their pursuit of the American Dream. Though set over a century ago, the themes of racism and the cost of freedom remain strikingly relevant today. The musical is ambitious, with its complex, interwoven stories and large ensemble of characters, and Fountain Hills Theater rises to the occasion with a well-cast, tightly directed, and sharply executed production that is both powerful and deeply rewarding. Ragtime runs through September 22, 2024, at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.fhtaz.org or call 480-837-9661. Director/ Set Design / Lighting Design: Peter J. Hill Cast: |
