Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Little Theatre of Fall River’s closing musical of their season is the 1998 hit musical “Ragtime” which is based on E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel. The epic sweep of this musical is captured in its opening prologue, a nine minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical ones. At the dawn of the twentieth century, everything is changing and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting part 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. They are all 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 epic musical is excellently directed by Aaron Gendreau-Visco, Deb Sadler and Bobby Perry. They capture the flavor and the essence of early 1900 New York. This is definitely one show not to be missed.
The directors make their scenes into picture post card moments with the costumes, lighting and blocking. One of the best examples is the opening montage with the three different groups of people moving in unison around the stage. These three groups are the people from New Rochelle, the people from Harlem and the immigrants. They cast these roles beautifully, making the most of the comic and dramatic moments of the script and musical numbers. This musical is reminiscent of an American “Les Miserables” with its emotional grandeur and glorious score. Bobby makes the harmonic blend between performers and orchestra splendidly. Michael Coelho conducts and his nine piece orchestra are fabulous from the opening through the finale with the rich and compelling Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens score with its mixture of marches, cakewalks, lilting ballads and of course, ragtime numbers. The multitude of colorful costumes are by Aaron who also did the white costumes of the New Rochelle people. The set is also by Aaron. The model T gets applause and it is certainly a sight to behold.
This huge 38 member cast is lead by Orlando Montalvo Avalo as Coalhouse Walker Jr. who demands retribution when his model T is vandalized by bigoted Irish firemen. His strong baritone voice soars in his musical numbers as well as in his dialogue where he woos his love Sarah or displays his anger to his oppressors. His songs include “His Name is Coalhouse Walker”, “Getting Ready Rag”, “Justice”, the poignant “Sarah Brown Eyes” flashback and the powerful “Make Them Hear You” his anthem to right the wrongs of the world. Sarah is well played by Arielle Rogers. Her lullaby to her baby son is poignant and “Wheel of a Dream”, her duet with Orlando is beautifully rendered. Another poignant song is sung by Sarah’s friend, excellently sung by Latrina Trim. It is a funeral song at the end of Act 1 that will leave you in tears.
The adventuresome and wandering Father is excellently played by John Ashley who is tall, dark and handsome. He rules his house with an iron fist and leaves detailed instructions for his wife to follow when he leaves town. John’s songs include “Journey On” when takes off for the North Pole and “New Music” when he returns home from his adventure to find things have changed quite a bit. Father blusters and bullies everyone around until Mother convinces him to take their son out and spend more time with him. This leads to the funniest number in the show which is called “What a Game” where Father thinks baseball is a respectable game but the Boy finds out it is a rowdy game indeed with the cussing and swearing around him. The little boy utters “Up Your Alley” at the end of the game which won sustained laughter from the audience. The kindhearted Mother is played by Chelsea Swan who gives her a backbone to stand up to her husband when he returns after his journey. Her acting and singing in this part is superb and she sends chills up your spine when she sings the show stopping “Back to Before” how times have changed and she won’t be a docile woman anymore. Her duets with Tateh are excellent, too. Little Boy is played excellently by 11 year old Chase Stilley. This young boy is not only a terrific actor at a young age but has an incredible singing voice, too. He is hilarious in the Baseball Song and his line delivery during the show sparkles as well. Another comical character is the Grandfather who is well played by Chris Maxwell. His one liners will leave you rolling in the aisles with laughter. The angry and indignant Younger brother is wonderfully played by Dan Guay. He plays the lovesick young man when he meets Evelyn Nesbit and later on turns into the angry young man when the race relations between the Irish firemen and Coalhouse heats up. Dan displays his strong baritone voice in the group numbers and in “The Night Goldman Spoke at Union Square.”
Another outstanding performance is by Peter Henry DaSilva as Tateh. I reviewed Peter before as the Baker in “Into the Woods” and Marius in “Les Miserables” for Little Theatre. He shows how much this Jewish widower loves his daughter by giving up his artwork, moves to Lawrence, MA to work in a factory and to cheer his daughter up, Tateh creates a moving picture book which helps propel him into making silent movies. He transforms himself into Baron Ashkenazy. Peter excels in this role with his strong acting prowess and powerful voice. His solos are “Success” where he tries to find his niche in America, “Gliding” while on a train discovers moving picture books and “Buffalo Nickel Photoplay Inc.” where he shows how to film silent movie scenes. Peter and Chelsea’s duets are “Nothing Like the City” and “Our Children” which shows their warm relationship between Tateh and Mother as two strangers in the first and between two friends in the second. Lila Grace Stilley who is nine years old plays his daughter who suffers and triumphs with her father on their journey to America.
The historical figures are given their due in this show, too. Ken Ettress is a tower of strength as Booker T. Washington who tries to lead Coalhouse back to the road of redemption. Ken’s powerful voice sells his lines and his songs especially compelling is “Look What You’ve Done.” Shonna Neitz is Emma Goldman, a revolutionary figure who leads the workers in their strike. She also helps Tateh in her own humble way. I last reviewed Shonna as Patsy Cline last year. Evelyn Nesbit, the girl on the velvet swing is wonderfully played by Elle Gendreau, Evelyn caused a sensation in the early 1900’s when her husband Harry Thaw shot and killed her lover, Stanford White which at the time was billed as the “Crime of the Century” which is the name of the song Elle does with the reporters and 2 dance hall girls. It sounds a bit like Roxie Hart in “Chicago” wanting her name up in lights. Her second song is “Atlantic City” done with Nishan Lawton as Harry Houdini. Nishan performs some magic tricks and displays his strong voice in this role, too. So for a sensational epic musical extravaganza, be sure to catch “Ragtime” in Fall River. Rush down to the box office, call or email them for tickets because these shows will definitely sell out.
RAGTIME (10 to 13 May)
Little Theatre of Fall River, BCC, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA
1(508)675-1852 or www.littletheatre.net
