Sunday, February 23, 2014
By ERIC MCCREA
It was the music of something beginning. “Ragtime,” Top Hat’s latest production, uses the music of its namesake to framework a story of racial tension, strife of the immigrant worker, and established American status quo on the verge of facing drastic changes, showing an era exploding, a century spinning.
“Ragtime” begins with David El’Hatton’s character Father (no, not a priest, that’s just the only name he’s given) departing on a trip to the North Pole with Admiral Perry. Mother, played by Jennifer Lumley Kuczek, left to run their New Rochelle, N.Y., home and care for their son. While gardening, she discovers a newborn boy buried and left for dead. When police find the child’s mother, Nikita R. Jones’ Sarah, Mother takes responsibility for the pair and takes them into her home. Meanwhile, Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Joshua William Green) has decided that Sarah is the love of his life, and ventures to New Rochelle to court her.
Included in the show, but not terribly crucial to the plot, are a range of characters based on key figures of the era. J.P. Morgan (Joe Marshall), Henry Ford (Matthew Schomer), and Harry Houdini (Aaron Franek) are all familiar to us. Perhaps less well known is Becca Kopchak’s delightful Evelyn Nesbit, who was famous just for being scandalous.
Two other historical references stood out. Richard “Chipper” Moore’s portrayal of Booker T. Washington was impressively dignified, a true homage to the pioneer of freedom. Anna Marshall’s performance as anarchist and voice of the worker Emma Goldman was incredible and gutsy.
This production featured some outstanding lead actors. Director Brian Palumbo is featured as newly arrived immigrant Tateh, a father struggling to provide a life for his adorable daughter (Sophie Heschmeyer). El’Hatton is his impeccable self as Father, seeming to have an ability to fill any role of any age. Kuczek is amazing as Mother, impressing this reviewer with her subtle nuance and great singing.
Green and Jones steal the show. Their chemistry together and vocal intertwining are ultimately what this show is all about, and this duo does not disappoint. Also worthy of note in this large cast were Cheney Morgan as the villain Willie Conklin, Mark Samuel as Mother’s Younger Brother, and Michael Appugliese as the Little Boy. Denny Villa as Grandfather doesn’t get to sing much, but his persona fills the room during his stage time.
In addition to the main cast of roughly 20 actors is a chorus of 35. They are broken up into three groups, each representing one of the important groups in this show. At times, the large ensemble seemed to lack sufficient rehearsal time, but they redeemed themselves with some of the better numbers of the show, such as “The Night That Goldman Spoke,” “Till We Reach That Day,” “What a Game” and the finale.
The scene changes in the small space with which Top Hat has to work were much like the chorus. They started off a bit rough, but smoothed out as the show progressed. Despite a few microphone issues and minor glitches, overall the show was technically well done.
“Ragtime” runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. until March 8. For reservations, call 800-838-3006.