RAGTIME - Review

Watch ‘Ragtime’ show clips

From Talking Broadway April 2026

Mark Stoddard's direction is fluid and assured, allowing the concert format, with the orchestra situated upstage, to feel anything but static, with many original touches that bring emotion and connection to the characters and situations so beautifully depicted in Terrence McNally's Tony-winning book. While there are no traditional set pieces beyond some movable stairs, the staging remains visually engaging throughout, with thoughtful blocking and movement and wonderful pops of choreography by Kathleen Brazie. The orchestra under Josh Condon's music direction is a standout, delivering a lush and full sound that underscores every emotional beat, from intimate solos to powerful choral moments in the fantastic Tony-winning score.

Arizona Musicfest and the Herberger Theater Center's concert style production of Ragtime is a stirring and beautifully realized experience. With its exceptional cast, thoughtful staging, and magnificent orchestral sound, it captures the scope and heart of this sweeping, epic, rich musical in a way that feels both grand and deeply personal.

The score soars in a way that only a 40-member cast and a 28-piece orchestra can deliver, filling the Herberger stage with rich harmonies, sweeping emotion, and a wall of sound that comes at you in full force - it is nothing short of thrilling.