When Ragtime was first done almost eleven years ago I fell in love with it. The book was well above average and it had the best score of the decade,unmatched to this day.I also thought that it was top heavy with excesses it did not need. Well those exesses are gone, and thanks to the multi talented director Marcia Milgrom Dodge and her wonderfully talented cast this musical is now the masterpiece it should be.
Terrence McNally's book [based on the bestselling novel by E.L. Doctorow] deals with the plight of three familys upon their arrival in America at the turn of the century, and it has been tweaked and polished into one of the best musical books Broadway has seen in years.
The music by Stephen Flaherty and the lyrics by Lynn Ahrens hold up remarkably well and prove that they are one of the most creative teams working in the theatre today.
The show is performed on a single set with movable props and this brings out all the power of the book and score.
The cast is superb, and an exeptionally good pit orchrsestra conducted by James Moore does the music proud.
By smart trimming and great planning, what was once a distinguished musical has now taken on the luster of a work of art. Ragtime is a memorable musical.
At THE NEIL SIMON THEATRE 250 WEST 52nd STREET N. Y. C.
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