Famous historical characters and a rich score propel Ragtime through a spectacular re-creation of turn-of-the-20th-century New York. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed novel, this 13-time Tony-nominated musical paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of three people — a stifled married woman from the upper classes, a determined Jewish immigrant, and a daring young musician from Harlem — whose fates become unexpectedly intertwined. With music and lyrics by the Tony Award-winning team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the show boasts a Tony Award-winning book by Terrence McNally and such memorable songs as “Getting Ready Rag,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Till We Reach That Day” and “Make Them Hear You.”
Presented with a startlingly powerful intimacy, the direction by Casey Stangl, choreography by Kelly Todd, and music direction by Robyn Manion brings the show closer to you — and you heart — than ever before.
And just like America itself, the musical is not completely free from flaws either, but, overall, the sum of its glorious parts make for one of the most gripping musicals ever created. Even in its smaller scaled production (and despite a casting short cut), Chance Theater with RAGTIME has another winning show in their lineup that's worth checking out.
L.A./OC theatergoers can now add Ragtime to Chance Theater’s long list of summer-musical hits, an inspired concept executed with equal parts passionate commitment and artistic command.
Blessed with visual beauty, ambition, a smashing wardrobe and a social conscience, ''Ragtime'' is the kind of musical that brings audiences to their knees in adoration. And there is truly much to admire in the show, from its daguerreotype images telestically brought to life to the electric presence of its leading man, Dony Wright, as the revolutionary Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Though they promised “all the hits,” the Paragon did not simply offer the standard greatest hits program today’s audiences have come to expect; the 11-piece ensemble also played sparkling renditions of everything from an eponymous rag composed for a minstrel show to waltzes from Cohan’s melodrama “The Yankee Prince.”
With an abundance of dramatic conflict, a rousing musical score , and production values that are unimpeachable. Scenic design by Christopher Scott Murillo transforms from a modern-day transit station that quickly transfers into a location from a century ago, and imaginative prop designs created by Danthi Tran insures that the Chance’s mounting of Ragtime is a notable and honorable achievement. It’s a must see for musical aficionados and American history buffs.
The payoffs in this “Ragtime” are plenty and collective gratitude is due not just for Chance for doing this rarity at all, but for doing it so well in so many ways.
It’d be tough for any play to juggle what is essentially three plots in one, and with so many characters and musical numbers, even Stangl’s more muscular production isn’t enough to keep things from feeling as if they’re stuck in second gear some of the time. But thanks to a uniformly well-voiced cast and killer six-member band, the rhythm slows at times but never breaks.
“Ragtime” not only serves as a rousing history lesson, but it also connects subtly with today’s social and political climate. It’s an overwhelming experience at the Chance Theater.
Even when circumstances are at their bleakest, hopeful citizens try to dream America forward, finding unity in diversity and leaving us with a final image of what the nation could and should be. This is powerfully inspiring stuff.
Presented with a startlingly powerful intimacy, the direction by Casey Stangl, choreography by Kelly Todd, and music direction by Robyn Manion brings the show closer to you — and you heart — than ever before.
And just like America itself, the musical is not completely free from flaws either, but, overall, the sum of its glorious parts make for one of the most gripping musicals ever created. Even in its smaller scaled production (and despite a casting short cut), Chance Theater with RAGTIME has another winning show in their lineup that's worth checking out.
L.A./OC theatergoers can now add Ragtime to Chance Theater’s long list of summer-musical hits, an inspired concept executed with equal parts passionate commitment and artistic command.
Blessed with visual beauty, ambition, a smashing wardrobe and a social conscience, ''Ragtime'' is the kind of musical that brings audiences to their knees in adoration. And there is truly much to admire in the show, from its daguerreotype images telestically brought to life to the electric presence of its leading man, Dony Wright, as the revolutionary Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Though they promised “all the hits,” the Paragon did not simply offer the standard greatest hits program today’s audiences have come to expect; the 11-piece ensemble also played sparkling renditions of everything from an eponymous rag composed for a minstrel show to waltzes from Cohan’s melodrama “The Yankee Prince.”
With an abundance of dramatic conflict, a rousing musical score , and production values that are unimpeachable. Scenic design by Christopher Scott Murillo transforms from a modern-day transit station that quickly transfers into a location from a century ago, and imaginative prop designs created by Danthi Tran insures that the Chance’s mounting of Ragtime is a notable and honorable achievement. It’s a must see for musical aficionados and American history buffs.
The payoffs in this “Ragtime” are plenty and collective gratitude is due not just for Chance for doing this rarity at all, but for doing it so well in so many ways.
It’d be tough for any play to juggle what is essentially three plots in one, and with so many characters and musical numbers, even Stangl’s more muscular production isn’t enough to keep things from feeling as if they’re stuck in second gear some of the time. But thanks to a uniformly well-voiced cast and killer six-member band, the rhythm slows at times but never breaks.
“Ragtime” not only serves as a rousing history lesson, but it also connects subtly with today’s social and political climate. It’s an overwhelming experience at the Chance Theater.
Even when circumstances are at their bleakest, hopeful citizens try to dream America forward, finding unity in diversity and leaving us with a final image of what the nation could and should be. This is powerfully inspiring stuff.
