“Ragtime: The Musical” was the Fountain Hills destination for three Matinee Friends on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 29. Though we expected a frothy song and dance with ragtime music, we were treated to a serious and important look at turn-of-the-century New York (with great music too). We saw a volatile melting pot with three stories woven together–an upper-class White mother, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring Black musician—and their families. “They confront history’s contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.” We were amazed at the precision of the choreography, especially when all 32 cast members were dancing on the relatively small stage at the same time. The story was very powerful and moving; the acting was professional, and the singing was amazing! We were especially impressed with The Mother (whose costumes and singing were equally beautiful) and Coalhouse (the Black character who was first footloose and carefree, then happy in love, then turned into a terrorist after encountering prejudice and the murder of his wife). He moved all of us with his impressive singing of the two powerful anthems most will remember from this show (Wheels of a Dream, and Make Them Hear You). We were so very glad we made the trip to see this excellent production.
MVWC
Moon Valley Women’s Club
