#RAGTIME MUSICAL CAST SERIES#

Set in the early 20th century, Ragtime tells the story of three groups in the United States: African Americans, represented by Coalhouse Walker Jr. All proceeds from the one-night only event, which was sold out already in 2020, will go to benefit the Actors Fund, which offers programs that include emergency financial assistance, workshops, support groups, and mental health resources. Doctorow, “Ragtime” features a score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and a book by Terrence McNally. It was the first production to open at the Ford Center.īased on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. The musical opened on Broadway at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, now the Lyric Theatre, on January 18, 1998.

“Ragtime” had its world premiere in Toronto at the Ford Theater on December 8, 1996, produced by the disgraced Canadian impresario Garth Drabinsky. Even Tony voters and critics were begging for the ducats, offering absurd sums of money for them. This quickly became the hottest ticket in town – yet none were available. I am not, for the record, a person known for displays of patience. During that period, Covid-19 took the life of the show’s musical librettist, Terrance McNally and the audience of 1,700 washed their hands, donned face masks, and sprayed hand sanitizer liberally, all trying to be patient until the producers of the show would call them back to the Minskoff Theatre. In what was unquestionably the longest pandemic-induced hiatuses for a Broadway show, the reunion concert of the cast of “Ragtime” – finally took place 35 months later, for one night only, Monday night.

The show was to feature all principal cast members of the Ahrens and Flaherty musical reunite, including Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Peter Friedman, with Kelli O’Hara substituting for the late Marin Mazzie as Mother. In February 2020, I eagerly booked tickets for the “Ragtime” reunion concert, scheduled for April 27 of that year.

#RAGTIME MUSICAL CAST SERIES#

“Patience grasshopper” was the phrase frequently used by Master Po to his student Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s television series “Kung Fu.”

Ragtime musical cast