Brian Schuler, left, of St. Ignatius High School, playing “Father,” and Mary Prokop, of Magnificat High School, playing “Mother,” stand out as leads in the musical “Ragtime” being performed at Magnificat High School. The two characters are part of the “high society” New Rochelle folks featured in the play.

‘Ragtime’ now showing at Magnificat High School
By Danielle Toth
Insights
Published April 2, 2008

“Ragtime,” now showing at Magnificat High School, follows three main families – Father, a well off businessman and explorer, with his wife, Mother, and son, Edgar; Tateh, a Latvian widower coming to America to seek a better life for himself and his daughter, Little Girl; and Coalhouse Walker Jr., a ragtime musician, his lover, Sarah, and their newborn son.

The families cross paths periodically throughout the musical, and their meetings are meant to illustrate the racial and social tensions in the early 1900s.

Father leaves his family to go on an expedition, leaving Mother and Edgar in their New Rochelle home. Mother finds a newborn black baby in the garden. The baby is discovered to be that of Sarah, who has left Coalhouse Walker Jr. Mother decides to take responsibility for both mother and child.

Tateh and Little Girl arrive in America, where he sells silhouettes to make a living. However, the going isn’t as good as Tateh imagined, and his daughter becomes ill. Tateh decides to leave New York City, and the duo encounter Mother and Edgar on the way.

Coalhouse vows to win Sarah back and finds her at Mother and Father’s home. She won’t receive him, but he arrives every Sunday, and soon Coalhouse and Mother develop a friendly relationship. Father comes home to find Coalhouse playing ragtime music on the piano and is infuriated at Mother’s choice to harbor an unwed mother and her child.

And so the musical begins and continues with the pattern of different socioeconomic classes crossing paths, all with the underlying theme of equality and justice. There are several historical characters in the play, including Henry Ford, Booker T. Washington, J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini and Evelyn Nesbit.

The cast of 'Ragtime.'

The cast of “Ragtime,” which includes students from Magnificat, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Padua, Fairview High School, North Olmsted High School and Holy Trinity, were required to read six packets of information on the life and culture of the period. Students who played historical figures were required to research information on their character. The students also watched behind-the-scenes videos and heard speakers, including Debra Rose, a local actress who has performed in “Ragtime.”

Besides the cast, students also participated as crewmembers and in the orchestra pit.

The play will continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27 to 29. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 4 p.m. — all in the Magnificat Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets may be purchased at the door. Call (440) 331-1572, ext. 277, for more information.

Magnificat High School is located at 20770 Hilliard Blvd. in Rocky River. There is plenty of free parking onsite.