Nick Faulkner
The Lower East Side ensemble sings as part of the opening number of Ragtime, a musical put on by the University Theatre. The cast prepares for opening night with this dress rehearsal on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 in Stewart Theater.
Before seeing “Ragtime,” I had never been to a University Theatre production. The sheer amount of talent was evident from the beginning, and the story only got better. I was skeptical; a show that relied mostly on music seemed difficult to pull off, especially for a mostly amateur cast. Yet I was absolutely blown away by the talent of the cast members. The singing and dancing was phenomenal, and it was apparent how much each actor was passionate about the story and had put a lot of themselves into their characters.
As each main character was introduced, I could see their distinct personalities, and I appreciated the ways in which the actors added nuance to their characters. For instance, Evelyn, played by Jade Estrada de Tourniel, one of several historical figures who made an appearance in the show, was radiating personality. The scene when she was on a swing, singing about her lovers and wealth, added an extra dimension to her character. She is not simply a vapid rich girl but a human with multiple layers and feelings.
On the topic of historical figures, I wish I could have seen more of Houdini, played by Grayson Fulp, a second-year in Art Studies. His introduction at the beginning was captivating, yet his appearance in the show was minimal. The show centered around three different families who each represented a different side of America in the early twentieth century. An America that, unfortunately, was not the beacon of opportunity that it was made out to be.
My favorite story line was between the father and his nameless daughter who, despite her innocence and naivety, was still determined and stubborn. It was clear how strong the bond was between her and her father, especially when he was willing to risk his own safety and well-being to protect her. Their relationship was definitely the strongest thread in the musical, and the last scene with them made me tear up.
Although I enjoyed the way the three families and their stories were intertwined, the different stories did make it confusing to follow at times. The various historical figures created an extra layer of confusion due to the anachronistic story. The only issue I had, is that the play frequently used the N-word with no content warning beforehand, and I advise that anyone going to see the show should be cognizant of how that might affect them.
The richness of blended cultures as well as the strategic use of various messages really drove the main point home that America is not founded upon one culture or belief system. It is instead a multilayered fabric of cultures, ideas, customs and beliefs. To deny any group recognition or to treat them as less than human undermines the very foundation of our country — a message that we all need to hear.
There is clearly an abundance of talent at NC State, and I strongly recommend seeing this show, or any production, while you still can. Don’t wait until you are in your third year like I did!