RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL casting information
RAGTIME is an epic musical that paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of life in turn of the century America.
Three distinct stories intertwine to poignantly illustrate history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty,
freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate. With a score that is as diverse as the melting pot of
America, RAGTIME • draws upon traditional Jewish folk sounds to color the haunting music of the European immigrants,
• borrows from Vaudevillian styles to capture the spectacle of Anglo-American upper-middle-class society, and
• utilizes Joplin and Jazz to invoke the enlivened spirit and rhythms of African-American, working class Harlem.
Cast breakdown: a Multi-Ethnic/Multi-Racial cast of about 60+ adults/older teens, and 3 children, including all
ages, genders, and races. The entire ensemble sings. (Non-singing actors may be considered for non-singing
featured roles). African-American Ensemble members must dance.
LEAD AND FEATURED ROLES
(ages listed are based on history and/or author recommendations, and should not be taken literally)
Coalhouse Walker, Jr: African-American male. 25-35 (baritone with strong top range; range: Ab to G, with a
sustained high F#). Intense dance; pianist; proud, confident, and stubborn.
Sarah: African-American female. Late teens-early 20's (lyric soprano; range: low G# to high F# on staff)
Mother: Anglo-American female. 30+ (lyric soprano; range: low G to high Eb on staff) gentle, compassionate,
optimistic
Father: Anglo-American male. 40+ (baritone; range: B to E on staff) cautious; resistant to change
Mother's Younger Brother: Anglo-American male. 20-25+ (tenor/baritone with strong top range: B to high F#)
passionate anarchist; intense and high-strung
Young Boy: Anglo-American male. 8-12 (juvenile voice; range: E to Db on staff) precocious and curious
Tateh: Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant male. 30+, slight accent (tenor; range: Db to high F#) intelligent,
passionate, creative
Emma Goldman (historical): Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant female/Anarchist. 40+, slight accent. (alto, range:
low G# to Db on staff)
Harry Houdini (historical): Hungarian Immigrant male/Magician/body-builder. 30+ (tenor; range: mid. C to high G)
Evelyn Nesbit (historical): Anglo-American female. Vaudevillian "girl on the swing". 18-25 (belter/soprano, range:
middle C to Db on staff) intense dance.
Young Girl (Tateh's daughter): Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant female. 6-10 (juvenile voice; range: E to Db on
the staff) quiet and shy.
Sarah's Friend: African-American female. Late teens - 30. (Gospel lyric-soprano or alto range: low G to stratosphere
scat top note)
Grandfather (Mother's father): Anglo-American male. 55+ (some "speak sung" lyrics, baritone) gruff & outspoken.
Booker T. Washington (Historical): African-American male, distinguished. 45+ (some "speak sung" lyrics, baritone)
Henry Ford (Historical): Anglo-American male. 30-45 (some "speak sung" lyrics, baritone)
JP Morgan (Historical): Anglo-American male; banking mogul. 45+ (some "speak sung" lyrics, baritone)
Little Coalhouse: Walk-on at end of show. African-American male. Age 3-4 (no spoken lines or singing)
SUPPORTING/ENSEMBLE ROLES: RAGTIME offers members of the three ensembles multiple opportunities to play
a number of smaller parts with lines. Supporting roles to be cast during rehearsals include: Admiral Peary, Stanford
White, Harry K. Thaw, Willie Conklin, Judge, train conductor, people of New Rochelle/Harlem/Union Square, Jewish
immigrants, factory workers, demonstrators, newsboys, reporters, bureaucrats, Coalhouse's Men, and numerous
other ensemble roles.