RAGTIME rehearses for the New York City Center

Something starts next week in New York City Center. The annual gala presentation for 2024 is Ragtime – the stirring, powerful musical adaptation of EL Doctorow's novel of the same name, with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and a book by Terrence McNally.

Winner of four Tony Awards in 1998, Ragtime follows three fictional families in search of the American dream at the turn of the 20th century: black pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Joshua Henry) and his lover Sarah (Nichelle Lewis); a wealthy white family led by Mother (Caissie Levy); and Latvian immigrant Tateh (Brandon Uranowitz) along with his little girl (Tabitha Lawing).

“It's a show that had a huge impact on me as a young person,” Levy told BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge. “I saw it at the tryout out of town because it was in Toronto and I'm from a city close by. When I was 13 or 14 I saw Audra.” [McDonald] and Marin [Mazzie] and Brian [Stokes Mitchell] and probably Brandon Uranowitz as a little boy. Now he's one of my best friends and I fall in love with him later in the show! It's a little crazy to think about.

“I came to New York when I was 22,” Henry added. “People said, 'Oh, you'll sing that one day.' Now I am a father of three children; I've experienced a lot; it feels so natural to step into the role of someone obsessed with music, trying to be a leader in the community, and develops this love for your child. It feels very close to me at the moment.

Watch this video as the entire cast chats more about the exciting new production, director Lear deBessonet explains her vision for the show, and more!