Well-seasoned performances will thrill the audience with a show that is topical for our times

Immigrants seek a better life in America in “Ragtime,” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley June 2-26 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Photo Credit: Kevin Berne

By Camille Bounds

Camille Bounds

TheatreWorks retired artistic director Robert Kelly took on  what seemed to be  an impossible challenge when he decided to bring “Ragtime” to the stage.

Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, due to COVID-19 the production had to be held off for two years. “Ragtime” has returned in all its glory with a magnificent cast that takes  the audience to  the enormous changes and conflicts  that took place in the beginning of the 20th century.

The show is based on the novel published in 1975 by E.L. Doctorow, who intermingled fictional characters with the historical exploits of J.P. Morgan, Houdini, Booker T. Washington, Evelyn Nesbit, Emma Goldman, Henry Ford and Admiral Perry. The novelist also included the initiation of the production lines, the introduction of unions to industry and the sinking of the Titanic. Robert Kelly’s sensitive and detailed direction makes this “Ragtime” a moving runaway train and the audience had to hang on for the ride of its life.

Sarah (Iris Beaumier) and Coalhouse Walker, Jr. (Nkrumah Gatling) dream of a better life for their son in “Ragtime,” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley June 2-26 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Photo Credit: Kevin Berne

The epic is even more amazing because of its prolific creator Terrence McNally who took Doctorow’s book and produced an unforgettable musical that really has something to say and says it so well.

The core of the play, centers on three groups. The white upper-class, whose ultimate goal was to create and accumulate as much wealth as possible, the children of slaves reaching with great difficulty  for equality and dignity, and newly arrived immigrants looking for a new life of freedom and opportunity. The melding of the three creates a rambling, fast moving, attention grabbing first rate production.

Nkrumah Gatling plays Coalhouse Walker, Jr. with passion and pride. The seasoned, well-trained actor brings fire and awareness to the role. His performance of “Wheels of a Dream” and  “Coalhouse’s Soliloquy” shows  the rich fine voice he brings  to a difficult  role.

Iris Beaumier has made Sarah her role and creates a lovely sound to the fine score.

Leo Ash Evens  is  the immigrant who carries the poignant part of Tatch with just the right amount of frustration and optimism.

Mother is played by Christine Dwyer whose vocal range is glorious. When she sings “Back to Before” she is mesmerizing.

As an added bonus William Liberatore conducts a fine nine-piece Ragtime orchestra. The music always seem to sound better when the baton is in his hand. Senic designer Wilson Chin, Costume Designer B. Modern with lighting and sound by Pamila Z. Gray and Jeff Mockus bring TheatreWorks specialist in their field to make Ragtime a super production.

We are fortunate indeed to be able to have  this epic laid out before us with a story that sadly needs telling in this day and age. It is told and performed superbly. Most of us that decide to go and see this wonderful production will leave the theatre already understanding the message. Perhaps a few will leave having learned and felt something they should have learned and felt before.

Camille Bounds is the arts and theater reviewer for Morgan Hill and Gilroy Life..
Details
Ragtime
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Aherns
Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow
Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Mountain View
When: Through June 26
Runs: 3 Hours with  intermission
Tickets and information  Call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.theatreworks.org