Ragtime

I'd have thought that two pianos and less than two dozen cast members would not be enough to bring Ragtime to life, but I'd have thought wrong. Although I have to say that the show's biggest numbers (including the curtain-raiser) sounded thin and looked underpopulated, this staged, costumed, off-book concert version (in White Plains) otherwise served the show splendidly. Despite technical glitches, the projections of early twentieth century photographs behind the actors turned out to be a nice (and unobtrusive) directorial touch. Essentially, this was a triumph of "less is more". Several performers stood out from the ensemble: Jerry Dixon, especially strong communicating Coalhouse's determination; Brian Charles Rooney, who bullt credibly to Younger Brother's angry monologue; and Rosena M. Hill, a compelling Sarah . Best of all was David Villella, the most poignant Tateh of the half dozen I've seen.