Tony winner Caissie Levy on balancing motherhood on and off stage
Levy is a first-time winner for her role as Mother in Ragtime, and following her win, she shouted out all the real-life moms and caregivers who support her.
Caissie Levy is Mother in the acclaimed revival of Ragtime to the Broadway community, and to her own two kids off stage. And now, the The 79th annual Tony Awards paid their dues to Mom with Levy’s win for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Alongside giving thanks to her family and Ragtime community in her acceptance speech, she thanked “every babysitter possible who made it possible for me to be both a Broadway actor and a mother.”
Theatre fans know Levy as Elsa in the Frozen Broadway musical and the struggling mother in the West End’s Next to Normal. As Mother in the Lear deBessonet-directed Ragtime, which took home the Best Musical Revival prize, Levy charts Mother’s journey from a privileged housewife to a woman more awakened to the injustices of turn-of-the-century America in the early 1900s.
"I didn't see it coming,” Levy said at a press conference following her win. “You find yourself in a situation that brings you so much fulfillment that you didn't plan for.” Levy’s Mother also becomes struck with unexpected events that embolden her to take care of people outside of her family circle. “That's what being a parent is, whether you're a mother or father or step-parent. When you care for someone else aside from yourself, their names have to come first, and you still have aspirations and dreams,” she said on finding that work-life balance.
“I feel so fortunate that even with the bumps, which there are bound to be in life, I figured out a way, through having amazing support from my husband, our babysitters, my parents, my in-laws, and friends who stand by you. You get through those bumps, and you make tough decisions,” she said. “The longer I’m a mom, for 10 years — my son is 10 and my daughter’s 5 — every day I'm learning that lesson. It's the greatest sacrifice, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Like Mother on stage, Levy accepts that dreams can evolve. “I had big dreams, and I did always, like all young people do [when] they sing the Tonys on TV. Then when I started to work and have a career and build a career over the years, it was just [about] getting to be on Broadway and this theatre community that I love so much.
"This [award] truly isn't something I thought I needed in order to feel happiness with this line of work, but the recognition feels really deeply beautiful, sort of like a pat on the back from your community that you love, saying, 'You're doing okay, and keep going.' I can't wait to see what the next 20 years bring.”
Journey on, Caissie.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Ragtime playing?
Ragtime is playing at Vivian Beaumont Theater - Lincoln Center Theater. The theatre is located at 150 West 65th Street, New York, 10023.
How long is Ragtime?
The running time of Ragtime is 2hr 50min. Incl. 15min intermission.
How do you book tickets for Ragtime?
Book tickets for Ragtime on New York Theatre Guide.
What's the age recommendation for Ragtime?
The recommended age for Ragtime is Ages 10+. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted..
What is Ragtime about?
Ragtime is a sprawling story of New York at the dawn of the twentieth century as three families from different backgrounds collide in search of the American Dream.
What are the songs in Ragtime?
The songs feature music inspired by the ragtime genre itself along with soaring solos, duets, and big ensemble numbers including "New Music," "Til We Reach That Day," "Journey On," "Back to Before," and "Wheels of a Dream."
Who wrote Ragtime?
Ragtime is written by a trio of venerable Broadway legends: a lush score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and a stirring book by Terrence McNally.
Who directs Ragtime?
Tony Award nominee Lear deBessonet directs, marking her inaugural production as Lincoln Center Theater's new Artistic Director.
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