Everything you need to know about ‘Ragtime’ on Broadway

Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz lead the musical adaptation of E. L. Doctorow’s novel, returning this fall after a hit Off-Broadway run.

Joe DziemianowiczJune 30, 2025, 04:00

Make them hear you. Speaking out for justice is a theme that resounds in the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, which makes a star-studded return to Broadway in its second revival this fall. It asks a probing question that gives it a timeless urgency: What is the American dream and who can claim it?

Set in the early 20th century in and around New York, the show intertwines the lives of a fictional African American pianist, Jewish immigrant, and wealthy white mother with real-life historical figures and events. The show is based on E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel and premiered on Broadway in 1998, featuring a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.

In 2024, Ragtime returned for a limited-run concert staging directed by Lear deBessonet at New York City Center — and now, that production is making its highly anticipated move to Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont Theater with Joshua Henry as Coalhouse Walker Jr., Caissie Levy as Mother, and Tony winner Brandon Uranowitz as Tateh, all reprising their acclaimed performances from last year.

As the time for Ragtime approaches — performances begin September 26 — learn more about the rousing, timely musical.

Check back for information on Ragtime tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

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What is Ragtime about?

Ragtime is a sweeping musical set in the early 1900s that weaves together the lives of fictional African Americans, Eastern European immigrants, and well-off white characters with those of historical figures like Harry Houdini, Emma Goldman, Booker T. Washington, and Henry Ford. The show explores themes of racism, injustice, hope, and dreams amid the changes in society, music, and culture rising in NYC and across America.

At the center of the story are Mother, a wealthy housewife in New Rochelle; Coalhouse Walker Jr., a Black pianist; and Tateh, a Latvian immigrant newly arrived in NYC with his daughter.

Where is Ragtime playing?

Ragtime plays at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, operated by Lincoln Center Theater and located in Lincoln Center at 150 W. 65th St.

Designed by Eero Saarinen with the collaboration of Jo Mielziner, the Vivian Beaumont Theater opened on October 21, 1965, named after heiress Vivian Beaumont Allen. Plays and musicals that have recently run at the 1,080-seat venue include Floyd Collins, McNeal, Uncle Vanya, and Camelot.

How long is Ragtime?

Ragtime runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including an intermission. The typical duration for a Broadway musical is between 90 minutes and 3 hours and may include a 15-minute intermission.

This runtime is from the New York City Center production and is subject to change slightly as Broadway performances begin.

What days is Ragtime playing?

Ragtime plays Tuesday through Sunday, with two performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays and no performances on Mondays. This schedule is subject to one-off changes during early performances and around holidays; check the Ragtime page on New York Theatre Guide for more information.

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When did Ragtime premiere?

The Ragtime musical premiered on Broadway in 1998, nearly a quarter-century after the release of the book it’s based on. Check out the full timeline of the story below.

1975: E. L. Doctorow publishes Ragtime, a novel set in 1900s New York blending historical and fictional characters to explore race, class, and cultural change.
1981: A non-musical film adaptation of Ragtime was directed by Miloš Forman and starred Howard E. Rollins Jr. as Coalhouse Walker Jr. The movie also starred Mary Steenburgen, James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern, and Mandy Patinkin. It received eight Oscar nominations, seven Golden Globe nominations, and a Grammy nomination.
February 1996: Before the fully staged production took place, the concept album Songs from Ragtime: The Musical, was released.
December 1996: The world premiere of the Ragtime musical, written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), opened in Toronto featuring the album cast.
1997: The U.S. premiere of the Ragtime musical opened in June at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles. It starred Brian Stokes Mitchell, LaChanze, Judy Kaye, and John Rubinstein.
1998: The Ragtime musical premiered on Broadway at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts (now the Lyric Theatre). It ran for 834 performances.
2009: The first Broadway revival of the Ragtime musical opened in October at the Neil Simon Theatre. It ran for 65 performances.
2024: The Ragtime musical ran as a two-week gala production at New York City Center. It was presented in concert format, with minimal staging and sets and an emphasis on the orchestra. Lear deBessonet, the newly appointed artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater and former director of NYCC's Encores! program for musical revivals, directs.
2025: The NYCC production of Ragtime begins Broadway performances at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on September 26.

Who wrote Ragtime?

The Ragtime musical is based on E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel of the same name. For the stage adaptation, the music is by Stephen Flaherty, the lyrics are by his frequent collaborator Lynn Ahrens, and the book is by Terrence McNally.

Flaherty and Ahrens are a Tony Award-winning songwriting team who also wrote Once on This Island, Seussical, Rocky, and Anastasia. They earned a Tony Award for Ragtime, an Olivier Award for Once on This Island, and Oscar and Grammy nominations for Anastasia.

McNally was a celebrated playwright and librettist known for Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Love! Valour! Compassion!, and Master Class. Before his death in 2020, he won four Tony Awards, plus a Lifetime Achievement Tony, and an Emmy.

Ragtime characters

The Ragtime musical takes place in the early years of the 20th century. As the show explores racism, immigration, inequality, and resistance, its story resonates powerfully today. Main characters include real and fictional men and women from varying social backgrounds.

Coalhouse Walker Jr.: A Black pianist who fights for justice after being the victim of racist violence.
Mother: A woman discovering her independence and moral courage amid social change.
Father: A traditional, upper-class man struggling to adapt to a changing America.
Tateh: A Jewish immigrant artist from Latvia determined to build a better life for his daughter.
Sarah: A young Black woman whose suffering inspires Coalhouse’s quest for justice.
Younger Brother: An idealist drawn into radical politics and explosive social movements.
Little Boy (Edgar): A thoughtful child who watches his world transform.
Little Girl: Tateh’s young daughter who’s immigrated with him to America.
Emma Goldman: The political activist and anarchist who passionately advocates for workers’ rights.
Booker T. Washington: The respected African American leader who believes in progress through education.
Evelyn Nesbit: The vaudeville performer known for her involvement in a real-life scandal.
Harry Houdini: The famous escape artist who captivates audiences with his mysterious illusions.

Other real-life historical figures who appear as minor characters in the show include J. P. Morgan and Henry Ford.

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Who is in the cast of Ragtime?

The 2025 cast of Ragtime on Broadway features many actors reprising their principal roles from the New York City Center run. They include Joshua Henry as Coalhouse Walker Jr., Olivier and Grammy Award nominee Caissie Levy as Mother, Tony Award winner Brandon Uranowitz as Tateh, Nichelle Lewis as Sarah, Colin Donnell as Father, Ben Levi Ross as Younger Brother, Tony winner Shaina Taub as Emma Goldman, John Clay III as Booker T. Washington, and Rodd Cyrus as Harry Houdini.

Ragtime songs

The songs in the Ragtime musical feature music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The Tony Award-winning score features soaring melodies and powerful anthems. Here are all the songs in the show, several of which are reprised for dramatic emphasis.

Act 1

"Ragtime"
"Goodbye, My Love"
"Journey On"
"The Crime of the Century"
"What Kind of Woman"
"A Shtetl iz Amereke"
"Success"
"Gettin' Ready Rag"
"Henry Ford"
“Nothing Like the City”
"Your Daddy's Son"
"New Music"
"Wheels of a Dream"
"The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square"
"Gliding"
"Justice"
"President"
"Till We Reach That Day”

Act 2

Entr'acte
"Coalhouse's Soliloquy"
"Coalhouse Demands"
"What a Game"
"New Music (Reprise)"
"Atlantic City Part II"
"Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc."
"Our Children"
"Sarah Brown Eyes"
"He Wanted to Say"
"Back to Before"
"Look What You've Done"
"Make Them Hear You"
Epilogue: “Ragtime" / "Wheels of a Dream"

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Major productions of Ragtime

The Ragtime musical has been seen in a number of high-profile productions in the U.S. and internationally. Check out when these noteworthy productions ran.

1996: The Ragtime musical debuted in Toronto on December 8 and ran nine months at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, as it was called then. The production starring Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, and Peter Friedman ran for nine months.
1997: The U.S. premiere of Ragtime starring Mitchell, LaChanze, Judy Kaye, and John Rubinstein opened in June at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles.
1998: Ragtime premiered on Broadway at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, running for almost two years to the date, closing in January 2000.
2003: Ragtime premiered in the West End in London at the Piccadilly Theatre. The limited three-month run starred Maria Friedman in the role of Mother.
2009: The first revival of Ragtime on Broadway opened in October at the Neil Simon Theatre. It ran for 65 performances.
2024: Ragtime ran at New York City Center for two weeks under the direction of Lear deBessonet.
2025: deBessonet's production of Ragtime transfers to Broadway with much of the NYCC cast.

What awards has Ragtime won?

Since its 1998 premiere, Ragtime has been honored with a number of prestigious awards and nominations.

Tony Awards: The 1998 Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tonys, including Best Musical, and won four: Best Book, Best Score, Best Featured Actress (Audra McDonald), and Best Orchestrations.
Drama Desk Awards: The production was nominated for 14 prizes and won five: Best Musical, Best Book, Best Music, Best Lyrics, and Best Orchestrations.
Grammy Award: The original Broadway cast recording was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album.
Olivier Awards: The 2003 West End premiere was nominated for eight prizes, including Best Musical. It won for Best Actress in a Musical (Maria Friedman).

Onscreen adaptations of Ragtime

The Ragtime musical hasn’t received a screen adaptation yet, but E.L. Doctorow’s book, on which the Broadway show is based, was adapted into a 1981 movie that earned eight Oscar nominations. Its cast included Howard E. Rollins Jr., Mary Steenburgen, James Cagney, Elizabeth McGovern, Mandy Patinkin, Jeff Daniels, and Debbie Allen.

Fun facts about Ragtime

From career jump-starts to site-specific runs to true-life ties, here are some fun facts about the show from its prolific production history.

Brandon Uranowitz, who stars as Tateh in the new Broadway revival, played the Little Boy in the Toronto premiere.
Lea Michele (Funny Girl, Spring Awakening) played the Little Girl in Toronto and in the Broadway premiere. At the same time as Ragtime plays this fall, she'll be starring in a revival of Chess on Broadway.
In a 2009 concert presentation on Ellis Island, Shaina Taub, who plays Emma Goldman in the Lincoln Center Theater revival, embodied that same role.
The Little Boy has an apparent prophetic gift inspired by the real-life mystic Edgar Cayce. Edgar is also the boy's name in the show.

Get tickets to Ragtime on Broadway

The Ragtime musical is a soaring reflection of America’s melting pot at the dawn of the 20th century. Journey on to see the show in its latest return to the stage.