The Kennedy Center's Ragtime Eyes Broadway Run

The Washington, D.C. production of Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally’s Ragtime is eyeing a Broadway berth, according to The Washington Post. The production, directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, is selling out at the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center through May 17, but there are reportedly “serious negotiations for a move to Broadway.”

Ragtime, which is based on E.L. Doctorow’s sprawling novel of the same name, turns back the clock to the start of the 20th century—a time when anything was possible and ragtime music was king. For many, New York City was the land of opportunity. A poor Jewish immigrant sells his "moving picture" books on the street. A wealthy Victorian couple welcomes a runaway into their home. A Harlem jazz pianist turns an issue of justice into a revolution. One by one, their personal journeys come alive as historic figures offer guidance and diversion—among them escape artist Harry Houdini, auto tycoon Henry Ford, famed educator Booker T. Washington, and chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit. Together, their stories celebrate the struggle between tradition and independence… black and white… old and new… all in pursuit of the American dream.

The original Broadway production of the musical was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 1998. It won four: Best Book McNally, Best Score Ahrens and Flaherty, Best Featured Actress in a Musical Audra McDonald and Best Orchestrations William David Brohn.

The current Kennedy Center cast includes Ron Bohmer, Quentin Earl Darrington, Jonathan Hammond taking over from Manoel Felciano, who appeared as Tateh from April 18-May 10, Christiane Noll, Carrie A. Johnson, Jennlee Shallow, Bobby Steggert, Christopher Cox and Sarah Rosenthal.