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'Ragtime' Revival Captures Modern Fractures
7 Jun
Summary
- The musical explores individual American Dream pursuits impacting others.
- It highlights the hopeful yet challenging reality for Black Americans in 1908.
- The show's themes resonate with current immigration and societal divisions.
The musical "Ragtime," set in the Gilded Age, explores the dramatic intersection of individual pursuits of the American Dream. Set around 1908, it features distinct groups, including a wealthy matriarch, a successful Black ragtime pianist, and an Eastern European immigrant, whose dreams intertwine.
The narrative captures intense emotions and highlights the stark contrast between the hopeful outlook of Black Americans and the societal challenges they faced. The song "Wheels of a Dream" exemplifies this profound hope.
Originally produced in 1998, "Ragtime" was an adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's novel by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Flaherty's background in ragtime music and Ahrens's work on "Schoolhouse Rock" provided unique preparation for the show's themes.
This current revival, lauded with unanimous rave reviews, is seen as particularly poignant. Its examination of what it means to be American and its reflection of contemporary societal fractures make it deeply resonant today.
Director Lear deBessonet views "Ragtime" as a vehicle for reconnecting with national ideals and hope, acknowledging current pain while fostering belief in the country's promises. The themes of immigration and national division are particularly relevant to current events.
