 |
| Chloe Zuel (Sarah) - Kurt Kansley (Coalhouse Walker Jr.) in "RAGTIME" |
Book by
Terrence McNally – Music by Stephen Flaherty – Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by
Roger Hodgman – Musical Direction by Guy Noble
Choreographed
by Dana Jolly – Lighting designed by Nigel Levings
Set designed
by Christina Smith – Costumes designed by Isaac Lummis
State
Theatre –Melbourne – 2nd – 10th November 2019
Opening
night performance reviewed by Bill Stephens
 |
| Georgina Hopson (Mother) and the upper-class suburbinites |
The
Production Company could hardly have chosen a better musical to celebrate the
culmination of its 21st year, and its last show in the State Theatre
before it undergoes renovations. Because it requires huge and particular
resources, Flaherty and Ahren’s musical, “Ragtime”, is rarely performed, and
though the score is revered among musical theatre enthusiasts, this is the
first time a fully staged professional production has been seen in Australia. And
what a triumph it is.
Based on a
novel by E.L. Dogtorow, “Ragtime” is set in the United States in the early 20th
Century. It tells the stories of three disparate groups – African Americans,
represented by Coalhouse Walker Jnr., (Kurt Kansley) a Harlem Musician - upper
class suburbanites, represented by Mother (Georgina Hopson), the matriarch of a
white New York family - and Eastern European immigrants, represented by Tateh
(Alexander Lewis), a Jewish immigrant from Latvia.
 |
| Kurt Kansley and Company - "Ragtime" |
It also incorporates
historical figures including Emma Goldman (Sage Douglas), Evelyn Nesbit
(Mackenzie Dunn) Henry Ford (John O’May), J.P Morgan (Anton Berezin), Willie
Gonklin (Matt Hamilton), Harry Houdini (Louis Lucente), and a host of other
characters, all of whom introduce themselves, speaking in the third person, in the
spectacular opening number.
Utilising an
uncluttered set design by Christina Smith, consisting of a long walkway above the
orchestra, flanked by moveable staircases either side, a huge LCD screen above
the staircase displaying handsome black and white images, and the lighting
wizardry of Nigel Levings, director, Roger
Hodgeman has created a stylish, constantly evolving pageant of stunning stage
pictures which capture the historical sweep
of the story without losing the humanity of the characters portrayed in the
interlocking stories.
 |
| Mackenzie Dunn as Evelyn Nesbit in "Ragtime" |
Fastidious casting
has resulted in an extraordinarily accomplished cast who portray the myriad of
characters who people Terence McNally’s finely crafted book, led by Kurt
Kansley, who returned from London to play the proud and fiery ragtime musician, Coalhouse Walker Jr, who becomes the catalyst for the events which propel the
storyline.
Among an
outstanding cast, Chloe Zuel, recently seen as Anita in Opera Australia’s production of “West Side Story”, is
unforgettable as Walker’s sweet young wife, Sarah, Her interpretation of “Your Daddy’s Son” is achingly beautiful.
Alexander
Lewis brings considerable star quality and superb vocals to his characterisation
as the Latvian migrant, Tateh, his duet “Our
children”, with Georgina Hopson,
(Mother) providing just one of an evening of highlights. Among those not already mentioned in this
topline cast, John McTernan (Grandfather) Adam Murphy (Father) Fin alexander
(Younger Brother) all shone in smaller roles, especially Ruva Ngwenya (Sarah’s
Friend) with her assured soul singing.
On opening
night Kempton Maloney and Summer Hamilton both gave assured performances as the
Little Boy and Little Girl, while tiny Noah Nzenza brought the audience undone
as Coalhouse Walker 111.
 |
| Kurt Kansley and Ensemble in "Ragtime" |
A
magnificent ensemble of actor/ singers and a superb orchestra conducted by Guy Noble
thrilled with the succession of stirring anthems and ballads which make up Flaherty and Ahrens’ sumptuous score, while
choreographer Dana Jolley takes full advantage of the opportunities provided by
Isaac Lummis’ graceful costumes to pleasure the eyes with her imaginative dance
creations.
All of which
adds up to an unforgettable evening of musical theatre destined to imbed itself
in the memories of all those lucky enough to experience it, and a fitting
tribute to the contribution Jeanne Pratt and her Production Company have made
to the musical life of Melbourne and beyond.
This review also appears in Australian Arts Review. www.artsreview.com.au