Revamped ‘Ragtime’ concentrates on story

What’s On: “Ragtime”

The buzz: The 1998 Broadway original won Tony Awards for Terrence McNally’s script and Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens score, which movingly depict the turbulent changes in early 20th century America. The show follows three families – African-American, European immigrant and upper class New York Protestant – as they deal with love and loss caused by prejudice and repression.

Watch for: The cinematic flow of one scene into another; the inclusion of historical figures such as Henry Ford, Emma Goldman and Booker T. Washington; the vivid choreography of ragtime, klezmer and cakewalk numbers.

About the tour: This production is based on the revamped 2009 Broadway revival that streamlined the physical aspects to concentrate on the characters and storyline.

Where: Memorial Auditorium, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St,, Raleigh (presented by Broadway Series South)

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12-17; 2 p.m. Jan. 16-17

Tickets: $25-$107

Info: 919-996-8700 or dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 6:14 AM with the headline "Revamped ‘Ragtime’ concentrates on story."