An American story about immigration, identity and social change takes the stage in downtown Phoenix April 24-26 as Arizona Musicfest closes its season with \u201cRagtime: A Theatrical Concert Experience\u201d at the Herberger Theater Center.<\/p>\n
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Allan Naplan<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Arizona Musicfest<\/p>\n
Based on the 1975 novel by Jewish author E.L. Doctorow, \u201cRagtime\u201d explores the intersection of three communities at the turn of the 20th century: Black, Eastern European Jewish immigrants and upper-class white residents of New Rochelle, New York. Despite being set more than a century ago, its themes remain strikingly relevant today.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunately a very timely story of immigration, antisemitism and racism,\u201d said Allan Naplan, executive and producing director and CEO of Arizona Musicfest. \u201cBut despite the drama and tragedy, it\u2019s still uplifting and, at times, humorous, which is the sign of any good musical.\u201d<\/p>\n
The production marks the finale of Arizona Musicfest\u2019s 35th anniversary season and features five Broadway guest artists alongside performers from across the Valley and the Musicfest Pops Ensemble, a full 40-piece orchestra performing onstage with the cast.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s rare around here for a musical to get a full orchestration,\u201d Naplan said. \u201cMost of the presenters in town just use small, reduced pit orchestras.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unlike a traditional staged concert, the performance will include costumes, lighting, scenic elements and full theatrical staging \u2014 with the orchestra visible behind the performers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we call it a theatrical concert experience,\u201d Naplan said. \u201cIt\u2019s a fully theatricalized production.\u201d<\/p>\n
While \u201cRagtime\u201d centers on multiple communities, Jewish immigration plays a key role in the narrative through the character Tateh, a Latvian Jewish immigrant artist building a new life in America with his daughter. Historical figures, including political activist Emma Goldman and illusionist Harry Houdini, also appear in the story.<\/p>\n
Beyond the characters themselves, Jewish culture is embedded in the score.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou immediately hear a klezmer clarinet playing when Tateh comes on stage,\u201d Naplan said. \u201cThat modality grounds us in the Eastern European klezmer sound.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Naplan, who is Jewish, the musical holds deep personal meaning, similar to \u201cFiddler on the Roof\u201d and many other classic musicals with Jewish themes.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Ragtime\u2019 is one of those pieces I\u2019ve always felt a connection to,\u201d he said. \u201cIt immediately resonated with me thematically and also musically.\u201d<\/p>\n
Composed by Stephen Flaherty with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, who is Jewish, the score blends classical Broadway traditions with sweeping ensemble writing reminiscent of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I saw the current Broadway production, there were three times when the audience, in the middle of the performance, leaped to their feet with standing ovations because some of these musical numbers are just so riveting and powerful,\u201d Naplan said. \u201cThe ensemble writing is really spectacular.\u201d<\/p>\n
The production also features Ta\u2019Nika Gibson, currently appearing in the Broadway revival, who will travel to Phoenix to play Sarah. Additional guest artists include Metropolitan Opera performer Justin Austin as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and Broadway veteran David Gordon as Tateh.<\/p>\n
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Sam Primack<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Arizona Musicfest<\/p>\n
Among the cast members is Scottsdale native Sam Primack, who plays Younger Brother, a character whose journey reflects the show\u2019s themes of empathy and social awakening.<\/p>\n
Primack, now based in New York, began performing in Valley youth theater programs before making his Broadway debut at age 17 in \u201cDear Evan Hansen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a crazy three- or four-month period where I was learning the Broadway show, finishing high school online and learning to live in New York,\u201d Primack said. \u201cIt was a big growing-up experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
He later became the final actor to play the title role on Broadway before the show closed in 2022.<\/p>\n
Returning to perform at the Herberger Theater Center carries special meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI performed on that stage from the time I was 9 or 10 years old,\u201d Primack said. \u201cBeing back there is going to be quite emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Primack became a bar mitzvah at Temple Solel in Scottsdale and credits Valley youth theater organizations such as Desert Stages Theatre, Valley Youth Theatre, Spotlight Youth Theatre and Greasepaint Youtheatre with shaping his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose people became family,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In \u201cRagtime,\u201d his character begins the story sheltered by privilege but gradually becomes involved in activism and social justice work.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe goes through a really interesting journey of reaching out to the other side and learning about different cultures and identities,\u201d Primack said.<\/p>\n
Both Naplan and Primack say the musical\u2019s continued relevance is one reason it remains so powerful nearly three decades after its Broadway debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s been so powerful over the years,\u201d Primack said. \u201cIf you turn on the news, you\u2019ll see stories that happen in \u2018Ragtime.\u2019 It keeps having parallels to our lives today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naplan agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe storylines of many news stories right now are about how important this show is for our time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The production also reflects Arizona Musicfest\u2019s expanding presence in downtown Phoenix. Last year marked the organization\u2019s first full musical theater production at the Herberger with \u201cCarousel,\u201d following more than three decades of concerts in North Scottsdale.<\/p>\n
The move opened performances to new audiences across the Valley.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made it more convenient for a large percentage of our audience,\u201d Naplan said. \u201cAnd it opened up the doors to even more people who perhaps didn\u2019t know about our concerts in North Scottsdale.\u201d<\/p>\n
With \u201cRagtime\u201d closing the season, the organization hopes to continue building momentum for large-scale musical theater productions.<\/p>\n
For Primack, returning home to perform in a show with such timely themes makes the experience especially meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be really powerful for people to see all three of these groups, which make up a lot of Arizona, on stage doing this powerful and emotional piece of theater,\u201d he said. JN<\/strong><\/p>\n