Ragtime is a story about life in America at the beginning of the 20th century. The show illustrates poignant issues of the day - from immigration, racism and politics to industrialization and social upheaval. Historical figures intermingle with fictional characters. The show focuses on three families - one upper-middle class, white Anglo-Saxon Protestant, once socialist immigrant Jewish and one Harlem Black - whose intersecting lives are influenced by the Ragtime era's social challenges. These interwoven stories of family, faith, and the desire for social justice create the fabric of an America just beginning to rise.
Based on the book "Ragtime" by E. L. Doctorow
Book by Terrance McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by G. Aaron & Milette Siler
(contains racial themes)