A Note from the Director
Willow Manor Players, Cindy, Wes, Z, Cast, Crew, Claire, and especially Sandy, many thanks for your support and assistance during this artistic rollercoaster entitled, Ragtime! The Musical. My gratitude for the care and attention to detail all of you add to simply telling a story; I hope I’ve met your expectations.
To quote a famous president, “who knew it would be so difficult?” After all, it’s just a musical… A musical that manages to include Emma Goldman, Houdini, Henry Ford, J. P. Morgan, Booker Washington, and the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in song and dance. Six months ago, the word, “Ragtime” conjured for me an image of the famous Texarkana, musical-genius Scott Joplin and his uniquely American tunes. For my Buffalo nickel… Ragtime!
The Musical is a real-life runaway train of entertainment, song, and dance, and at its heart, a simple story of an ordinary Victorian family who very respectfully manufactures flags, fireworks, and patriotic accoutrement. Suddenly, the family's matriarch (Mother) rescues an abandoned black infant, inserts herself into a tale of racism, insurrection, and injustice in America, and manages to set in motion the transformation of the twentieth century, all before the second chorus number. Whew! As if that wasn’t enough, Mother, too, undergoes a Kafkaesque metamorphosis when she realizes she has abilities beyond the roles society has set for her.
Ragtime changed me as well; I’ve made new friends, broadened existing relationships, and gained a deeper respect for American Musical Theatre. Please accept the author’s intended harsh language and brutal social commentary as a reminder that America is stronger, better, prouder together. Enjoy the show.
John Rudolf
Special Thank You:
Scaramouche Costumes, Methacton Community Theater, Lynn Castle, Sue Carney, Ali Cabello and Jennifer Dreisbach for help with costumes.
North Penn VFW for lending props.
Walnut Street Theater
