'Ragtime' Still Relevant Today With Its Explorations of Violence, Race, Immigration
Promotional video for UK Opera Theatre's production of "Ragtime."
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2016) — Though set in turn-of-the-20th-century New York, the Tony Award-winning musical "Ragtime" is still very relevant today as the presidential election and the Black Lives Matter movement have many discussing issues related to race, violence and immigration. Audiences can see and hear this work and reflect on such important issues in the Bluegrass this weekend as University of Kentucky Opera Theatre opens their 2016-17 season with the musical Oct. 6-9, at the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall.
Written by the award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and noted playwright, Terrence McNally, and based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel, "Ragtime," this popular musical was 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. Filled with pageantry, emotion and hope, bursting onto the stage like no other musical, the original production was called "a triumph for the stage," by Time magazine, and "the best musical in 20 years," by the International Herald Tribune.
Set in the volatile melting pot of New York in the early 1900s, "Ragtime" weaves together three distinctly American tales — 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.
Reflecting on just how relevant this story is in today's society, directors/choreographers Lyndy Franklin Smith and Jeromy Smith started the rehearsal process by having each cast member tell his or her own story. The cast shared the origins of their families and how their ancestors made their way to America. And as the group reached a point in the musical's story where the storytelling becomes difficult and personal, members of the cast once again took time to share stories, often spontaneously, of personal experience — strife, fear, anger and hope.
In addition, the cast and crew were also acutely aware of the stories being told daily in the media. Stories of 2016 that seemed hauntingly close to the stories of "Ragtime" — stories of violence and terrorism, racial injustice, immigration reform, bigotry and hatred.
"One thing remains constant. This story touches lives and hearts in an incredibly deep and meaningful way," said Lyndy. "In this, we understand the importance of telling this story. As we progress as a nation and as a society, and history seemingly continues to repeat itself, we must first continue to look back, remember and respect our history, and learn from our mistakes. Secondly, we must hold on to hope and the promise of a brighter tomorrow, knowing that one person can make a difference but together, we are stronger. And finally, it is vitally important that we continue to pass on this story to our children and grandchildren."
The musical's score is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself, drawing upon many musical styles, from the ragtime rhythms of Harlem and Tin Pan Alley to the klezmer of the Lower East Side, from bold brass band marches to delicate waltzes, from up-tempo banjo tunes to period parlor songs and expansive anthems.
The directors have been moved by the growth they have seen from the cast as they perfected their performance and hope to touch audiences with this important, timeless story. "Sometimes it just takes a moment to listen to someone else’s story, to find a common ground, and sometimes a new perspective. As we have all grown as human beings, this performance has also grown," said Jeromy. "Our greatest hope is to inspire our audience. In these uncertain and divisive times, let us come together and share our stories, find a commonality and a community and move forward together."
The cast of UK Opera Theatre's production of "Ragtime" includes: Audrey Belle Adams as Mother, La'Shelle Allen as Sarah's Friend, Willnard Anderson as Booker T. Washington, Hayden Bright as Harry K. Thaw and Admiral Peary, Karl-Matthieu Campbell as Coalhouse Walker III, Clark Janell Davis as Sarah, Cooper Fitch as Harry Houdini, Peter Gibbons as Younger Brother, Cassady Gorrell as Kathleen, Wesley F. Hammond as Stanford White, Nate Krohmer as Little Boy, Roger Leasor as Grandfather, Curtis Lipsey as Matthew Henson, Elizabeth S. Mayhew as Evelyn Nesbit, Zackery Morris as Tateh, Michael Pandolfo as Henry Ford, Matthew Pearce as J.P. Morgan, Joshua Randal Price as Willie Conklin, Taylor Riordan as Little Girl, Greta Rosenstock as Emma Goldman, Casey Shuler as Brigit, Ron Wilbur as Coalhouse Walker Jr., and Joseph Wrightson as Father. Backing up the cast is an ensemble of vocalists and the UK Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor John Nardolillo. The crew helping the Smiths bring this show to the stage includes, Stage Managers Marc Schlackman, Gretchen Shoot and Jessica Bayne; Lighting Designer Tanya Harper; Sound Designer Richard Jones; Graphics Designer Tony Hardin; Costumers Ian Witten and Susan Wigglesworth; and Producer Everett McCorvey.
The “Ragtime” curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 6-9, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Tickets range from $38-$45. Discounted tickets for UK students, faculty and staff are available exclusively through the Singletary Center ticket office. To purchase tickets, visit online at www.SCFATickets.com, call 859-257-4929, or in person at the venue
In addition, UK alumni may also get a $5 discount on tickets purchased during Homecoming week. To take advantage of this special offer, alumni should go to www.SCFATickets.com, pick the performance of "Ragtime" they plan to attend, and when choosing seats select the "Alumni Homecoming” price code from the dropdown menu. Push the “Add Tickets” button and enter password “HOMECOMING” to receive a $5 discount. This special ticket offer is also available in person at Singletary Center ticket office and by phone at 859-257-4929. The UK Alumni Homecoming ticket promotion only applies to full-price adult tickets and may not be combined with any other ticket discounts. Additional ticket processing fees apply at purchase.
The acclaimed UK Opera Theatre program is part of UK School of Music at UK College of Fine Arts. The school has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition and music theory.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu