Griffin Theatre Company has completed casting for its upcoming, intimately-scaled revival of the musical Ragtime. The ensemble cast includes Laura McClain as Mother, Denzel Tsopnang as Coalhouse Walker Jr., Jason Richards as Tateh and Katherine Thomas as Sarah.
Based on the E.L. Doctorow novel of the same name, the 1998 musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty looks at societal upheaval at the turn of the 20th century via the interwoven stories of a wealthy white family in New Rochelle, New York, referred to in the book and play only as Mother, Father, Mother’s Younger Brother, Grandfather and The Little Boy; a black musician, Coalhouse Walker Jr., and his love, Sarah; and newly arrived Eastern European immigrant Tateh and his young daughter, referred to as The Little Girl. Several historical figures of the time also appear as characters, including Harry Houdini, Emma Goldman and Henry Ford.
In addition to the actors named above, director Scott Weinstein’s cast will include Ben Miller as The Little Boy, Autumn Hlava as The Little Girl, Matt Edmonds as Younger Brother, Frederick Harris as Booker T. Washington, Scott Allen Luke as Father, Neala Barron as Emma Goldman, Caitlin Collins as Evelyn Nesbit, Jonathan Schwart as Henry Ford, Joe Capstick as Harry Houdini, Larry Baldacci as Grandfather, Danielle Davis as Sarah’s Friend, Courtney Jones as Kathleen/Brigit; the ensemble is rounded out by Marcellus Burt, Arielle Leverett, Alanna Lovely and Juwon Perry.
Weinstein’s design team includes William Boles (scenic), Rachel Sypniewski (costumes), Alex Ridgers (lighting) and Stephen Ptacek (sound); Jermaine Hill and Ellen Morris are the music directors, with choreography by William Carlos Angulo. Matt Deitchman is creating new orchestrations for the score, to be played by just two pianos and a wind instrument. Ragtime will play May 27 to July 16 at the Den Theatre’s Heath mainstage.
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.