Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre is at it again! First show of the season is the breathtaking Broadway Musical, “Ragtime!” SSMT’s performance of “Ragtime” is set to open on June 27th and runs through July 7th 2019. Make sure to get your tickets by clicking HERE, while you can! This is truly a breathtaking performance.
Ragtime begins at the dawn of a new century, everything is changing… and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together – that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair… and what it means to live in America. This sweeping musical portrait of early-twentieth-century America tells the story of three families in the pursuit of the American Dream. Ragtime is the winner of the 1998 Tony Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations, and both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score.
At the helm of Ragtime is Emilie Faith Thompson as Mother giving an incredibly moving performance especially during “Back to Before”. Joining her family is SSMT favorite Russell Rinker (Father), Sawyer Clark (Edgar), Steven McCoy (Big Brother), and Phillip Sargent (Grandfather).
Another incredible moment is the chemistry between Haile Ferrier as Sarah and Isaiah Bailey as Coalhouse Walker. The two of them together was incredible and heartbreaking. One of my favorite moments was when they both sang “Wheels of a Dream”.
Other moments include “Crime of the Century” sung by Trish Epperson (Evelyn Nesbit) and “Henry Ford” played by Austin Flewell.
Joining the rest of the cast is Emma Goldman (Shannon Huneryager), Harry Houdini (Aaron Richert), Tateh (Thom Christopher Warren*), Booker T. Washington (Michael Forest), Willie Conklin (Zac Ostrowski), J.P. Morgan (Jordan Stocksdale), Little Coalhouse (Julonda Do’zia-Earley).
Finally rounding out the show is the powerful ensemble including Ashley McGuire, Iyona Blake, Kelly Donah, Emily Foley, Megan Hasse, Lauryn Hobbs, Hannah Hubbard, Ily Jeanniton, Sadie Jensen, Reilly Lincavicks, Shaila Murdock, Erin Puskar, Brianna Stoute, Sarah Summerwell, Nicole Wheeler,, Meggara Blake, Lincoln Belford, Kyle Brace, Dorian Davis, Austin Flewell, Jack Mastrianni, Patrick Murray, Joel Oliver, Eddie Ortega, Zac Ostrowski, Jeremiah Porter, Michael Recchia, Matthew Sanguine, Larry Toyter, James Young
The production team for Ragtime was stellar! At the head of the production is Jeremy Scott Blaustein (Director), Music direction by Thomas Albert and John Clanton, Costume design by Jennifer Flitton Adams, and Lighting/Scenic Design by Mac Bozman.
Ragtime is not a show to be missed. It is an incredibly relevant performance especially in today’s climate. If you are new to Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre you are in for a treat! Curious in past shows? check out my blog post from last year’s production of Mama Mia!
*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States
