Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marin Mazzie - Ragtime - The Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast)

The epic sweep of Ragtime is captured in its opening prologue, a nine-minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical figures from the early 20th century as originally captured in E.L. Doctorow's sprawling novel. As the story continues, we meet pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Brian Stokes Mitchell) and his child's mother, Sarah (Audra McDonald), who has been taken in by a respectable family (including Marin Mazzie as Mother). Parallel story lines of the Latvian immigrant Tateh (Peter Friedman), the entertainer Evelyn Nesbit (Lynnette Perry), and even Harry Houdini (Jim Corti) and Emma Goldman (Judy Kaye) eventually mingle and merge. Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Once on This Island) mix marches, cakewalks, and of course ragtime to create a rich, compelling score, including Sarah's song to her baby, "Your Daddy's Son," her soaring duet with Coalhouse, "Wheels of a Dream," Mother's self-revealing "Back to Before," and numerous set pieces, all performed by a perfect cast. Ragtime was nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 1998, with wins for McDonald, original score, book, and orchestration. The CD also includes an eight-minute symphonic suite conducted by Paul Gemignani and a booklet with photos, full lyrics, and a history of how the score was written. Tragic, touching, and ultimately triumphant, Ragtime is an American classic. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com essential recording

Review of Ragtime

Fantastic Soundtrack. Great music. This music as great as the show was. Highly recommend to all. Thanks July 24, 2008

It was the music of something beginning...

With 38 tracks of Broadway's best songs, this soundtrack is incredible. The show itself is so moving and this cast features some of the best voices I have ever heard. Marin Mazzie as Mother, Audra McDonald as Sarah, and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Coalhouse are my favorites. All of the songs are show-stoppers, but I would name the following as my absolute favorites: "Your Daddy's Son," "New Music," "Wheels of a Dream," "Til We Reach that Day," "Sarah Brown Eyes," and "Make Them Hear You." The booklet of this two-disk soundtrack also features incredible stills and lyrics from the show. February 13, 2008

Moment's of brilliance.

There are parts of this musical that just blow you away. Sure it has it's dry narrative moments too but the vocal heights that it reaches are awe inspiring. February 2, 2008

A CLASSIC MUST-HAVE

From beginning to ending this CD is a non-stop musical journey through the turn of the century. The music is just unforgettable, and the performances are all top-notch. If you love escaping into a world of beautiful musio and a compelling story, this CD cannot be beat. December 1, 2007

Only a piano technicians viewpoint:

I first read the book when it came out in 1975.

It turned out to be one of the best books I ever enjoyed.

Later, I saw an ad for the musical on TV, and thought:
"They can't possibly change that into a musical!"

I had some lady friends in town, and the musical was playing at our main auditorium here in Phoenix, so I took them and explained the story to them.

I left there that night saying "They pulled it off!"

To this day I love it!

I love my Country, and this is one of the best examples of why I feel that way.

Don't bother replying, as I probably won't be back...
November 9, 2007

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