RAGTIME at the Neil Simon Theatre

(Seen 11/18/09)

This blockbuster musical from 1998 has been pared down scenically, but remains an epic in scope. The emphasis by director Marcia Milgrom Dodge is now centered on the three disparate families, who are each dealing with their personal problems, while coming of age against a background of a changing political and societal life in America.

This is still a visually broad landscape, but we get a more intimate interaction with the three families, so that we care about them as individuals rather than as prototypes. The large cast is impressive, vocally and dramatically.

Although there may not be any "break-out" performances, each member of the symbolic families are to be highly praised --- especially Christiane Noll and Robert Petkoff, and particularly, Bobby Steggert, who each bring a special nuanced depth to their characters.

The music of Stephen Flaherty and lyrics of Lynn Ahrens ably serve the panoramic book by Terrence McNally.