WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Thalian Association's production of Ragtime is many things, but above all else it's a lesson in American history.
It follows three distinct families.
"A young African-American couple and their baby, a well-heeled WASP couple living in the sterile comfort of New Rochelle, and a Latvian widower and his little girl just arriving at Ellis Island," said Artistic Director Tom Briggs. "These three families' fates become inextricably intertwined."
"What we find through the show is that these distinct groups that at the beginning of the show are very separate and keep to themselves, by the end are thrown together and learn to work together and to be a community," said actor Troy Rudeseal. "We also have set against the backdrop, actual historical characters which really sort of gives credence to putting it in its place in history."
"We have Emma Goldman, J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford, the showgirl Evelyn Nesbit," said Briggs.
All these characters come together to paint a very real picture of life at the turn of the century.
"You see a lot of hardship," said Rudeseal. "You see a lot of overcoming obstacles. It really is one of the most beautiful, modern American musicals, I think."
Not just beautiful in its message, but to the eyes as well. Tags in some of the costumes pieces have the names Audra McDonald and Christiane Noll, among others, written on them. They are both famous Broadway actresses who performed in different runs of Ragtime.
"We have the original Broadway costumes which were refurbished for the revival," said Rudeseal. "We have this Model T Ford from the original production. It really is going to be phenomenal."
But at the end of the day, it's the emotion that really sets this show apart.
"Ultimately Ragtime is an uplifting, joyful celebration of the human spirit," said Briggs. "And what it means to be an American."
Ragtime
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May 19-21, 26-28
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8:00pm
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May 22, 29
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3:00pm
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Thalian Hall
For tickets, call (910) 632-2285 or click here.
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