From page to stage, a behind the scenes look at Lake Worth production of 'Ragtime'

The Lake Worth Playhouse is closing out its 2024 season with “Ragtime,” a musical that was first produced in 1996 and based on a book of the same name written just over 20 years earlier by E.L. Doctorow. 

“Ragtime” is set in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. It tackles themes of class, race, and social injustic. Some scenes have salty language and portray violence. By 1998, the show had hit Broadway and later earned multiple Tony Awards, including one for Best Book of a Musical. 

The story follows an upper-class white family led by a father who runs a fireworks factory, the Black residents of Harlem who cross their path, including Coalhouse Walker Jr., a pianist, and his lost love, and also recent Jewish immigrants. All are thrown into turmoil through the course of the show. 

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The show now playing at the Playhouse is directed by Sabrina Lynn Gore of Palm Beach Gardens. Gore and the crew opened their production from page to stage to Palm Beach Post photographer Thomas Cordy. 

In an interview, Gore expounded on what she loved about the play and this particular production.“The story doesn't shy away from the racial divide in the country in that time. And it's still, I think, very relevant now in 2024.”

Gore was also very enthusiastic about the cast assembled. 

“What I love about this cast is, again, how ethnically diverse it is. We have people, all walks of life in this, not just because it's written that way, but because, again, I went out of my way to make sure we had that.”  

If you go: 'Ragtime'

Where: Lake Worth Playhouse located at 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth Beach.

When: Now through April 21

Information: Limited tickets are available online. Call 561-586-6410.