Detroit and America's history comes alive as the Bonstelle Theatre produces one of the largest shows in its 87-year history. The Bonstelle Theatre presents Ragtime, the Musical at 8 p.m. on April 17 - 18 and 24 - 25, and at 2 p.m. on April 19 and 26. The book is by Terrence McNally, music is by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics are by Lynn Ahrens.
Ragtime, set in the early 20th century, illustrates the changing culture of America. Interwoven with major historic events of the time, three families of different ethnicities tell their stories: an African-American musician trying to find justice, a homemaker who takes in an illegitimate child, and a Jewish immigrant who tries to give a new life to his daughter. The struggle for stability in changing times during the Ragtime era makes this as much about Detroit's history as it is about America's.
Detroit was a major manufacturing center in the early part of the 20th century, created mostly by Henry Ford and the automobile industry. Henry Ford appears in Ragtime, explaining his mass production business model - that any man, regardless of race or academic background, can "pull a lever" or "turn a cog." Ford invited anyone to take a job with his factories for the high salary of $5 a day. This led to a major influx of labor from the south and other areas outside of the Midwest, making Detroit a true melting pot.
Major racial integration was taking place - but not always peacefully. In a 1903 address titled "The Rights and Duties of the Negro," Booker T. Washington said "that every race or nation that has ever got upon its feet has done so through struggle and persecution; and out of this very resistance to wrong, out of the struggle against odds, they have gained strength." This excerpt of the speech appears in Ragtime at a crucial moment of the show, when a major act of racism is perpetrated upon a title character. After the Ragtime era, the 1925 Ossian Sweet trial - where the famous lawyer Clarence Darrow successfully defended his African-American client after Sweet moved into a "white" neighborhood - was just one incident where Detroit helped further the civil rights of African-Americans.
During this time, the working class was also advocating for their rights. Ragtime focuses on Emma Goldman, a fiery activist who spoke in Union Square in New York City about workers' rights. In Detroit, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union staged the first major strike for auto workers at the Studebaker-Packard plants in the city.
"IWW organizers held a rally for the strikers, elected leaders and issued their demands: an eight-hour work day for ten hours pay, weekly pay days, reinstatement of all strikers and better sanitary conditions in the factories," says William LeFevre, Reference Archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs, located on Wayne State University's campus. "In the ensuing clash, several strikers were clubbed down and strike leaders were arrested.
"But even if this appeared to be a failed strike, they still received all of their demands."
Ragtime, the Musical explores three different but equally true American dreams: finding racial justice, discovering the land of opportunity, and developing a strong family. These dreams are not only seen in America's history, but also Detroit's history. The audience has the ability to make these dreams a part of their city's and nation's future, as well.
Ragtime contains ethnic and racial stereotypes and language that, though indicative of the Ragtime era, may be offensive to modern audiences.
Ragtime is directed by Michael J. Barnes, assistant director is Matt Foss, and the production stage manager is Mercedes Coley. Musical Director is Jeremy Ryan Mossman and Musical Conductor is Chris Binkowski. The cast includes WSU undergraduate students James Earl Abbott II (Harlem Ensemble/Lathrup Village, MI), George Abud (Immigrant Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Megan Tyler Amadon (Immigrant Ensemble/Eastpointe, MI), Ruth Ann Apruzzese-Welke (New Rochelle Ensemble/Trenton, MI), E.J. Assi (Tateh/Port Huron, MI), Melinda Berko (Harlem Ensemble/Bronx, NY), Megan Anne Blaschak (New Rochelle Ensemble/Southfield, MI), William E. Bryson (Booker T. Washington/Highland Park, MI), Natalie Burtney (Immigrant Ensemble/Farmington Hills, MI), Stephen Carson (New Rochelle Ensemble/New Baltimore, MI), Zachary S. Coates (New Rochelle Ensemble/Fraser, MI), Dave Cowan (New Rochelle Ensemble/Grosse Ile, MI), Justin Crutchfield (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Christopher Lamar Edmonds (Harlem Ensemble/Flint, MI), Erica Ashleigh Fuller (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Megan Fuller (Immigrant Ensemble/Warren, MI), Jo Galvano (Immigrant Ensemble/Clinton Twp., MI), Jessica Green (New Rochelle Ensemble/White Lake, MI), Nicole-Michelle Haskins (Sarah's Friend/Detroit, MI), Siena Hassett (Immigrant Ensemble/Grosse Pointe Park, MI), and Bethany Hedden (Mother/Livonia, MI).
The cast also includes WSU undergraduate students Erin Hildebrandt (Immigrant Ensemble/Walled Lake, MI), Taurean Hogan (Coalhouse Walker, Jr./Detroit, MI), Kyle Holton (Immigrant Ensemble/Beverly Hills, MI), Katie Lietz-Flannery (New Rochelle Ensemble/Livonia, MI), Patrick Loos (Grandfather/Highland Park, MI), Jacqueline Michnuk (New Rochelle Ensemble/Dearborn, MI), Caitlin Morrison (New Rochelle Ensemble/Romeo, MI), Ciarah Mosley (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Lavell L. Neal (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Jennifer O'Phee (Evelyn Nesbit/Windsor, Ontario), Rachel Elizabeth Porter (New Rochelle Ensemble/Woodhaven, MI), Shane Reinhard (Mother's Younger Brother/Port Huron, MI), Kelli Sarakun (Emma Goldman/Grosse Pointe, MI), Ashley Shamoon (Immigrant Ensemble/Northville, MI), Andrew Sheldon (Houdini/Milan, MI), Andrick Paul Siegmund (JP Morgan/Pleasant Ridge, MI), Brandon M. Silva (New Rochelle Ensemble/Warren, MI), Jamie Jo Stanfield (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Alexander Trice (Henry Ford/Bloomfield Hills, MI), Christopher L. Tucker (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), William Turbett (Immigrant Ensemble/Dearborn, MI), Victoria Rose Weatherspoon (Sarah/Detroit, MI), Steven West (New Rochelle Ensemble/Plymouth, MI), Benjamin Williams (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI), Dave Woitulewicz (Willie Conklin/Detroit, MI), Amber Woodmore (Harlem Ensemble/Auburn Hills, MI), Brian Tony Yacoo (Immigrant Ensemble/Warren, MI), Annabelle Young (New Rochelle Ensemble/Dearborn, MI), and Bill Zimmerman (Father/Livonia, MI).
Also in the cast are fourth-grader Thandiwe Brown (Harlem Ensemble/Detroit, MI/Bates Academy for the Gifted), four-year-old Evan Dejuan Franklin (Little Coalhouse/Detroit, MI), three-year-old Noah Lash (Little Coalhouse/Detroit, MI), sixth-grader Ethan Helman Scherrer (Little Boy/Farmington Hills, MI/Cranbrook), sixth-grader Jared Helman Scherrer (Little Boy/Farmington Hills, MI/Cranbrook), and sixth-grader Rebecca Helman Scherrer (Little Girl/Farmington Hills, MI/Cranbrook Kingswood).
The production team includes WSU staff members Fred Florkowski (Scenic Designer), Nira Pullin (Choreographer), Mary Copenhagen (Costume Designer) and Matt Gribbin (Technical Director). WSU graduate students on the design team are Jim Costello (Lighting Designer) and Darek Lane (Rehearsal Stage Manager). WSU undergraduate students on the design team are Alan Batkiewicz (Scenic Assistant), Chris Wade (Lighting Assistant), Heather DeFauw (Sound Co-Designer), Bobby Tacoma (Sound Co-Designer), Leah Karper (Costume Designer), Kristal Firman (Costume Designer), Madeline Greenwalt (Costume Designer), Tracy Machak (Costume Designer), and Kathryn O'Brien (Properties Designer).
Ragtime plays at the Bonstelle Theatre April 17, 2009 to April 26, 2009. Advance ticket sales are available at the Wayne State Theatre Box Office, located at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Cass and Hancock, or by phone at (313) 577-2960. Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.wsushows.com. The box office is open Tuesday - Saturday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door at the Bonstelle Theatre (3424 Woodward Ave.) one hour prior to performances. Regular tickets are available for $20, and $15 discounted tickets are available to seniors ages 62+, and Wayne State University faculty, staff, and Alumni Association members. Student rush tickets are available for $10 the night of the performance. Group discounts are also available. For more information, please visit the theatre's website at www.bonstelle.com.
Ragtime contains ethnic and racial stereotypes and language that, though indicative of the Ragtime era, may be offensive to modern audiences.
The 2008-2009 Bonstelle Theatre season is sponsored by CBS Radio, Between the Lines, and the Dearborn Times-Herald.
Ragtime
Book by Terrence McNally
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Friday
, April 17, 2009 at 8 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Saturday
, April 18, 2009 at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Sunday
, April 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 2 p.m.
Photo #1: Victoria Rose Weatherspoon as Sarah and Taurean Hogan as Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
Photo #2: Bethany Hedden as Mother and Bill Zimmerman as Father
Photo #3: Taurean Hogan as Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
Photo Credits: Chris Nelson