Ragtime ‘cakewalks’ its way into Little Rock

(Little Rock) – Celebrity Attractions brings Ragtime, the 13-time Tony Award-nominated musical, to Little Rock, April 15-17. The musical is based on E.L. Doctorow’s best-selling 1975 novel.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York, Ragtime tells the stories of Coalhouse Walker, Jr., a daring young Harlem musician, Mother, the matriarch of a white, upper-class family in New Rochelle, NY, and Tateh, a determined Jewish immigrant from Latvia. All three are united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. 

Their compelling stories are set to theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lyn Ahrens.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 1998 and ran for 834 performances, winning Tony Awards for Book of a Musical (by Terrence McNally), Orchestrations (William David Brohn), Actress in a Featured Role (Audra McDonald) as well as Flaherty and Ahrens award for Best Musical Score.

Director/Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge was nominated for a Tony Award in 2010 for her revival version of the musical which is currently touring.

Starring roles: Chris Sams as Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Kate Turner as Mother and Matthew Curiano as Tateh. Other historical figures appearing in the story include: Harry Houdini, J. P. Morgan and Henry Ford.

“This musical is a timeless celebration of life, with story themes of immigration and racial relations that makes it as relevant today as it ever was,” Dodge said. 

The 2015/2016 national tour of Ragtime – produced by Phoenix Entertainment – kicked-off its 91-city run on Oct. 22 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Gainesville, Florida. The tour concludes June 12 at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.  

The soundtrack includes marches, cakewalks, gospel and ragtime. The scenic design is by Kevin Depinet, lighting design by Mike Baldassari and sound design by Craig Cassidy.

Ragtime takes place at the dawn of the 20th century, and because of this historical context some of the material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Ragtime will be in Little Rock for three shows, April 15-17, at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $30 to $65, and are available online at www.CelebrityAttractions.com or by phone at (501) 244-8800.

For more information about Ragtime, visit www.ragtimeontour.com. 

The Gayly- 4/8/2016 @ 9:36 AM CDT