RAGTIME – Book by Terrence McNally; Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lenn Ahrens; Directed and Choreographed by Carrie Colton; Music Direction by Jordan Ortman. Produced by Metropolitan State University of Denver Theatre, Dance and Music Departments (7th and Walnut, Denver) through October 6. Tickets available at King Center Box Office.com.
Occasionally you will see a show so full of passion and heart that you hardly notice if a voice is a little unsteady or a step is missed in a dance. The overwhelming joy of performing flows over the footlights and spreads across a steadily increasingly enthusiastic audience like warm butterscotch. Such was the case on opening night at Metro State’s little Courtyard Theatre’s performance of RAGTIME. Created by a student cast, the evening proved to be a delight . . . in spite of the serious nature of the story.
Supporting the story of Coalhouse Walker, an early performer of ragtime music, the script weaves together the stories of three people trying to make a place for themselves in a turn-of-the-century world. Coalhouse represents a newly prosperous class only two or three generations away from slavery. His music has given him a favored place in the world but not enough to protect his loved ones from the rampant racism that still prevailed.
The rising tide of European immigration is personified in Tateh who survived the death ships that brought him and his daughter to the American shores. His artistic abilities saved them both from the fate of so many of his compatriots. But not before a hard struggle.
An upper-class family known only as Father, Mother, Grandmother, Younger Brother (of Mother), and Little Boy epitomize the complacent attitude that finds a changing world evolving around them with no idea how to cope with it. How these three groups eventually interact and support each other (or not) creates the story. A story filled with fear, change, hope, despair, triumph, loss and, thankfully, more love than hate.
Director Colton’s understanding of the script was translated into a strong sure-handed performance. The choreography was authentic to the era while still pleasing to a modern audience. The dancers embraced the joy of telling part of the story through dance.
The principal cast stepped into their roles with confidence and talent. Coalhouse – the lynchpin for most of what happens – was performed by Chrisnel Akele with poignancy and grace. His feelings for Sarah, given life by Laila Aniyah, mature as he begins to understand love and loss. Liam Benson as Tateh goes from helpless immigrant to successful moving picture maker through his own cunning and imagination. His sweet relationship with Mother starts with the chance meeting of their children and ultimately allows the creation of a new family. Mother – played beautifully by Theron Chagollan – rises above the expectations of her class with her kindness and intelligence. She becomes the symbol of those women who stepped out of the normal role designated to them by the times and moved the twentieth century into a better future for all.
In an interesting insight, Director Colton amplified the part of the Little Boy (in this version called Edgar) in Mother’s family and made him the silent observer in all that was happening around him. In every scene, he is quietly watching, enjoying, and making a record of all that he sees. The original story of Coalhouse and crew was written by E.L. Doctorow; the “E” in his name stands for Edgar. Casey Myers gave a thoughtful, often amusing performance as the future author.
Everything about this production was well thought out from the lovely costumes coordinated by Connor Sullivan, to the set designed by Kevin Nelson and built by Technical Director Brian Kelley and his student crew, to the Lighting and Sound Designs by Mandy Heath and Curt Behm. The difficult prop of a full-blown Model T Ford was overcome by cleverly attaching it to the back of Coalhouse’s piano (you’ll understand when you see it). All in all, it was a delightful performance well enjoyed by a grateful audience.
A WOW factor of 8.75!!