RAGTIME

Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities put on this musical at Dogwood Dell. I'm not much for musicals, but went to see this production for a couple of reasons.

a.)I hadn't seen a play at the Dell in almost a year (all my theatre-going friends are marrying non-theatre-going people and begging off).

b.)I have been promising my nephew a day at Maymont (which still hasn't happen due to monsoon season) and mentioned we could end the day with seeing Ragtime. When I told him Maymont was, literally, a wash, yet again, he asked about the play. What I had taken as a stray suggestion, he had taken to heart. I'd be a villainous being if I didn't take him, rain or shine. There was a bit of shine, but two umbrellas and a piece of plastic for insurance.

I have to admit, I didn't have much faith in the show. The city of Richmond isn't know for its cultural government agencies, and I thought a Parks Department production might have ragged costumes from older shows or school donations, and lighting may be homeless people with flashlights. A musical is a mighty task, and I wasn't sure they were up to it. I was well surprised. The production was first class, with a live orchestra. The mics were flaky at times, with more than a few lines lost to the wind, but it only distracted a time or two. The direction was superb. I've seen too many plays with actors seemingly waiting for their cue, standing motionless on stage, while another says their lines. This was not the case in Leslie Owens-Harrington's production. It was full of life and movement. My nephew, with the attention span of a gnat, as with most young men, watched throughout and, though he thought the end of the first act was the end of the musical, didn't flinch when I told him there was more to come.

Of the cast, Michael E. Mason as Tateh stood out, bringing to mind Mandy Patinkin. (Just thought, 'wait a minute, maybe...', and yes, Patinkin played Tateh in a film version) Emlyn Crenshaw as his daughter, spoke little, but her despair at times was heartbreaking. I could have done with less swirling of hands by Joey Paravati as Houdini, but I'm a huge Houdini fan and thought it looked a bit much. I was surprised by John Reid's performance as Father. Newsman, and now actor, with a lovely voice, and good stage presence. If he's had no training, I'd say he's a natural. Ruan Woolfolk as Coalhouse, and Lauren Leinhaas-Cook as Mother, were so comfortable, and fitting in their parts, they seemed to have been living them for quite some time.

My nephew's favourite character was Grandfather, played by Todd A. Schall-Vess. Though Schall-Vess' lines were sparse in this part (he also played J.P. Morgan) they always drew a laugh from the audience. Since it's closing tomorrow night, it's not a give-away to tell you what we agree was the funniest line in the production, "I know how to blow things up."

If you're reading this, you've probably missed this production, but here's what you take away, do not miss next season's offerings at the Dell.