![]() He's about six feet tall with a trim gray beard, 51 years old, lives in New Rochelle and Sag Harbor and sometimes writes in a cabin in the Berkshires, alone, because it's easier for him to write "if there's absolutely nothing else to do." DOCTOROW comes down to breakfast at the Tabard Inn like the answer to his own question, the question every novelist asks: What would the world be like if I made it up, just made it up as I went along, history and likelihood and all, beautiful women, billionaires, forests and Mercedes Benzes. Ultimately, the play “Ragtime” was another success out of the SJB/SJHS theater programs as they gave the audience a memorable performance each and every night.E.L. “They did an amazing job, as they were given truly tough material that they rose up to produce, but most important of all… they told the story well,” said Mr. His set didn’t do too much but did the perfect amount to spark creativity throughout the play, allowing the actors and actresses to take the reigns. He created a stunning atmosphere through the scenes, as the set was remarkable in achieving its goal. Lang also did a stupendous job, especially while challenging the theater program with such a deep and difficult musical. Jones took the play over with his extraordinary vocals throughout, even with the extremely challenging task in playing as Coalhouse.ĭirector Martin Lang said, “ is a unique individual who has great strengths and has done a great job with the broad emotions and was able to do it all.” Smooth piano playing Coalhouse was willing to put his life on the line, after everything was taken, for what he believed and never lost hope in the Promised Land. He played the position with extraordinary passion as well as a demeanor that captured the attention of the audience with a charismatic charm. through the portrayal of actor Ryan Jones. The audience was able to peer into the life of a troubled African-American in Coalhouse Walker Jr. Although we have come a long way from the early 1900’s, we still see residual effects that people have to deal with. “Ragtime” was able to capture a snippet of what it was like to be a black man at this time. Newer movements like Black Lives Matter and other self-empowering movements are still asking the same questions. ![]() Taking place during the Harlem Renaissance, black empowerment began to surge and spread like wildfire as people were questioning what does justice mean, and if it has a color. “Ragtime” may brush through several issues that surround us today but none is more glaring than the issue of race and race relations, especially in regards to the African-American community. The saying goes “access is power”, which happens to resonate with today perfectly, as the access to virtually anything is possible to those with the means to achieve it. Father was a character who was extremely wealthy yet received no true repercussions for his actions.Ī topic all too familiar at this time as the recent college admissions scandals have been publicized and the means in which certain public figures would get around the college admissions process. Actor Joshua Dreyer played the Father in the play. The issue of privilege deriving from affluence and authority is another issue touched upon throughout the play in several different ways. Although coming from different places and for different reasons, immigrating at this time was still a hot topic and a pressing issue. The play followed the journey of Tateh, a Jewish immigrant played by Victor Curiel, and the struggles he faced throughout his search and hopes for the so-called American Dream. The issues surrounding immigration are not just a topic that just we as Americans are familiar about. Many of these issues have been addressed, yet no true healing has ever occurred as social problems have been drawn out through the last century and carried over into today’s society. The progress is healing the wound the blow made.” Malcolm X once said “You can’t drive a knife into a man’s back nine inches, pull it out six inches and call it progress. Yet these layers are glaring as they deal with the continuing problems in American society with topics like social justice movements, race relations, immigration, as well as privileges stemming from affluence.Īlthough these may take place in at the turn of the century, over a hundred years ago the relevance is enhanced in this tumultuous time period we are in. Like many great works of art, there are a plethora of layers to be depicted throughout “Ragtime”. A play with a social message that resonated with the audience as the material, although taking place in the early 20 th century, parallels similar struggles we face today. ![]() John Bosco theater program entered 2019 with the task of tackling the play Ragtime: The Musical.
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