“Ragtime” a nostalgic trip in time at the Broad Brook Opera House

by Kory Loucks

EAST WINDSOR-What a difference a century makes. The Broad Brook Opera House production of “Ragtime” is a musical journey of plangent nostalgia to the early 1900s when Henry Ford’s Model T was transforming the landscape, and immigrants, blacks, and the white bourgeoisie were clashing and melding in that great melting pot known as America.
This show features 25 performers lead with strong direction by Sharon FitzHenry, who also did the limited choreography for the show.
Based on E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel by the same name, this musical looks at the three different groups represented by a rich white family from New Rochelle, blacks from Harlem, a immigrants among many others, including the rich and famous of the day.
They all have their travails, and their problems intermingle. Mother, played with heart by Sue Dziura, has an wandering husband (J.J. Martin) who leaves her home alone. She finds an abandoned black baby, belonging to Sarah, a woman whose lover, Coalhouse, treated her badly.
Mother takes Sarah and the child into her home. Complications ensue when the contrite and determined Coalhouse, a musician in Harlem, tries to woo her back again.
Chae-vonne Munroe plays Sarah and Jerrial Young is Coalhouse, and the two who sing many songs together, are magical. Their voices are plaintive, and soulful.
Meantime, a new Latavian immigrant, Tateh, played by Luis Manzi, along with his little girl, played by the pixie Maeve Jordan, come to the new world with great hopes, only to live in abject poverty. Manzi has an good solid voice, and a fine accent.
Recognizable famous names are mixed into the group, including JP Morgan (David Climo, who also plays Admiral Perry), Henry Ford (Matthew Falkowski Sr.), Booker T. Washingon (Joshua Thompson), and Houdini (Andrew Small).
In addition are two who were well-known in their day, include the anarchist and political activist Emma Newirth (a terrific Jayne Newirth), the infamous vaudeville star Evelyn Nesbitt (the petulant Sara Steiner).
It’s a shame not to mention each and every actor, because they are all very good. When this show first ran on Broadway in 1998, the compliant was that the set overwhelmed the show. Here, the simple set, by FitzHenry, of an abstract American Flag, is the perfect backdrop for the show.
I love how FitzHenry uses simple chairs to depict scenes, such as in the Lawrence, Mass. mill where Tateh and his daughter work long hours for little pay.
The period costumes, by costume designer Moonyean Field, deserves special mention, because they are numerous, detailed, and beautiful, and they add a lot to the authentic feeling of this musical.
There is some strong, racist language, which is disturbing, but appropriate for this show. It’s not all good times and happy songs, but a depiction of a time and place that feels true to our shared heritage.

More than once during this show I had a visceral reaction of pleasurable chills from the impact of the powerful and moving music, notably during “New Music” sung by Mother, Father, Younger Brother, Coalhouse, and Sarah.

It’s an important story of intolerance, understanding, growth, and success, that speaks to our common and unique experience as Americans. I highly recommend “Ragtime,” playing through Sunday.

4 stars
(4 stars, excellent; 3 stars, good, 2 stars, fair, 1 star, poor)
Theater: Opera House Players
Location: 107 Main Street, Broad Brook
Production: Music by Stephen Flaherty. Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Book by Terrance McNally. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel “Ragtime.” Direction, choreography, scene design, and painting by Sharon FitzHenry. Musical direction by Bill Martin. Stage manager Paul Leone. Costumes by Moonyean Field.
Running time: 3 hours including a 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sunday.
Tickets: $21, $17 for seniors over 60 and students under 12. Call 860-292-6068 or visit their website at www.operahouseplayers.org
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Jerrial Young … Coalhouse
Chae-vonne Munroe … Sarah
Luis Manzi … Tateh
Sue Dziura … Mother
J.J. Martin … Father
Sara Steiner … Evelyn Nesbitt
Jayne Newirth … Emma Goldman
Andrew Small … Houdini
Jonathan Simmons … Young Brother
Joshua Thompson … Booker T. Washington
Matthew “Sparky” Falkowski … Little Boy
Maeve Jordan … Little Girl
Moonyean Field … Grandmother
Reva Kleppel … Brigit
Khara Hoyer … Kathleen, Sob sister
Matthew Falkowski Sr. … Henry Ford
David Climo … JP Morgan, Admiral Perry
Stephanie Foster … Sarah’s friend
Erica Romeo … Sarah’s friend, Sob Sister
Anthony Coleman … Coalhouse’s friend, Conductor
Issa Best … Coalhouse’s friend, Hensen
Jessica Serra … Sob Sister
Mike May … Police
Jonathan Trecker … Conklin
Kason Sheffield … Young Coalhouse