'Ragtime - The Musical' Comes to the Warner Theatre

Photo by Ragtime newsboy/immigrant Connor Picard

Once in a while, a reader will ask my opinion of an upcoming show, presumably to help them decide whether they should attend. There are often clues in the press release of how much I will enjoy the production. Obviously a show that I liked at a previous viewing is a good sign. A director and/or music director that I admire also helps. If a cast list is included, it helps to see familiar names on it. Admittedly, there is a little bit of predicting the future involved, but I usually encourage the person asking to do what I do and go see the show in question.

In the case of the upcoming production of Ragtime at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, I have a bit of an inside track. I saw the touring company of the musical at the Shubert in New Haven back in the early 90s, but forgot most of it until I took my sixteen year old son Christian (better known as “CJ”) to see the production at Westchester Broadway Theater last March. By the intermission, he was already calling it the “best show ever” and made up his mind to audition for the first time ever for the production scheduled at the Warner. With no expectation of getting a part, he prepared a Sinatra piece and did his best. When he got an e-mail offering him a part in the ensemble, he was overjoyed and accepted immediately. To say that he is enjoying the rehearsal process is the understatement of the season.

Since my son is not yet a driver, his proud mom has been enjoying the rehearsal process almost as much. As soon as I heard the first notes of the opening number through the wall of the rehearsal studio, I knew that the choral pieces would be awe inspiring. When the sixty-plus cast moved to the Warner mainstage to begin blocking the scenes, I began to see Sharon A. Wilcox bring her vision to life. Ragtime will open ten years to the weekend after the production of the show that she calls “the American Les Miz” that she directed opened in Thomaston. The talented musical director is Daniel Koch and Sheila Waters Fucci has helped with both direction and choreography.

Ragtime is based on E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel that is set at the turn of the century. The action is very powerful, as is the music. It focuses on three families from Harlem, New Rochelle and immigrants who have just arrived in America and deals with wealth and poverty, prejudice, hope and despair...all in two hours and forty minutes.

The lead roles are a mix of generically-named characters (Mother, Father, Little Girl) and historical figures of the era. All have been carefully cast and absolutely all of the community theater actors are superb in their roles. Indulge me while I predict what I will put in my review.

The people of New Rochelle are a very proper bunch. Amy Rebekah Derrick-Ulsh is sublime as Mother and Patrick Spaulding is just as good as Father. Young Trevor Rinaldi plays their son Little Boy (and opens the show) while Ryan Pipke is the perfect ever-searching Younger Brother. Mark Provost always makes me laugh as Grandfather.

In the people of Harlem group, Gia Wright owns the role of Sarah and wait until you hear the vocals of Karen Robinson who plays Sarah’s Friend. John E. Carter gives a riveting performance as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and what a smooth voice this gentleman has for singing.

The immigrant group is led by Dan Porri masterfully playing the immigrant Tata and his daughter is the talented-beyond-her-years Kennedy Morris.

Rhiannon Carta is delightful as Evelyn Nesbit and Priscilla Squiers is a feisty Emma Goldman. James Murphy plays the historical role of Henry Ford and the always wonderful Meric Martin is Harry Houdini.

Names that I have typed in other reviews that appear in the list of ensemble members in this 64 member cast include Lyle Ressler, Foster Evans Reese, Joe Harding, Ben and Lucia Dressel, Doreen Lopez, Kelsey and Kerri Morris, Patty Paganucci, Connor Picard, Meredith Porri, Madalyn Sheehy, Beth Steinberg, Cole Sutton, Kristen VanDerlyn, Katherine Ray, oh and kid I have been chauffeuring since August, CJ Janis as an Italian immigrant and a newsboy.

Ragtime is a theatrical experience, in every sense of the word. “There are happy moments, there are sad moments, there are things that are going to make you angry, there are things that you are going to want to fight for, there are things make you say that you wish I could do that, and that’s a great show,” Ms. Wilcox told John Ozerhoski on Backstage with Johnny “It’s a piece of art,” adds Mr. Porri. Click here to listen to the podcast of Johnny O’s interview with both of them.

I won’t spoil the experience with revealing too many details of the Warner’s production, but I will say that the production elements will be top-notch. I have seen the turn-of-the- century costumes by Renee Purdy on many rolling racks up close and personal during my young immigrant’s fitting and was most impressed. The director brings a definite recurring motif that I do not recall seeing before and I think it will add the perfect touch. As for the rest, well, you will just have to travel to Torrington to catch one of the five performances to see it. And break a leg to all the members of the cast....and especially to my young actor making his theatrical debut in his beloved musical.

The Warner Stage Company production of Ragtime – The Musical is directed by Sharon A. Wilcox with Music Director Dan Koch. Performances are Saturday, November 1 & 8 at 8 pm, Sunday, November 2 & 9 at 2 pm and Friday, November 7 at 8 pm. Tickets are $18-26 and can be purchased by calling the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org