Reviewed by Kathleen Kirby
A moving and powerful story unfolded Friday evening as the Flint Repertory Theatre presented a stunning and intimate version of the marvelous musical Ragtime. Set at the turn of the 20th Century, some familiar issues remain at the heart of this story as racial strife and women’s rights as well as immigrant rights are still paramount today.
The smaller Elgood Theatre brought the story right to the heart of the audience with its thrust stage and intimate presentation. The effect was incredible especially as we came in such close contact with the players.
Three groups of characters represent the different types of American experience beginning with Mother (Robyne Parrish), Father (Joel Gelman) and Little Boy (Cael Cech) who nestle in a comfy white New Rochelle neighborhood. However, convulsive changes are underway signaled by the arrival of a widowed Jewish immigrant, Tateh (Ben Cherry) and his daughter Little Girl (Marigold Entrekin) followed by an African American piano man, Coalhouse Walker, Jr. (David Aron Damane). He spreads the ragtime sound through Harlem while looking for Sarah (Elexis Morton) who, pregnant with his child, left him for doing her wrong.
Coalhouse’s search for Sarah brings him to Mother’s door when it becomes known that she has found an African infant apparently discarded in her garden. She has taken the baby in. Sarah is living in Mother’s house and avoids Coalhouse’s pleas for a long time. Still we know her true feelings through her touching song “Your Daddy’s Son”.
So many of these musical numbers bring emotions to” the surface with their heartfelt delivery and beautiful lyrics. Kudos here must go to music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. “Wheels of a Dream” is another memorable song between Coalhouse and Sarah.
Like many others who sport well-known names, they play Ensemble roles as well. One or two stand out beginning with Karen Sheridan who is often seen as the housekeeper in Mother’s house but also becomes the anarchist crusader for women’s rights, Emma Goldman, and Chris French often Harry Houdini who appears now and then as a fireman with racist tendencies.
We could go on and on here but there is much to be said for seeing the show for yourself. It is marvelously directed by Michael Lluberes. Two pianos with music arrangements created by Steven Gross are played amazingly by Cole P. Abod and Leah Fox.
We must warn that darkness and violence are an inescapable part of the story. Treachery leads to tragedy, but hope somehow perseveres. Ragtime is as messy as our history. Still, the lessons of the past and unfortunately of today are important toward beginning to accept ourselves and each other as we build toward a better and accepting future.
Ragtime continues at Flint Repertory Theatre, 1241 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48503 through June 25. For tickets visit tickets.thefim.org
Flint Area Theatres 