Ruth Leon recommends… Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra Macdonald – Ragtime

Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra Macdonald – Ragtime

 This week in New York, the original cast members of perhaps the greatest musical of the late 20th century, Ragtime came together for a once-in-a-generation concert of that great Aarons and Flaherty score. Marin Mazzie was sadly missing, of course, replaced in the cast by her friend and Met Opera soprano Kelli O’Hara, and playwright Terrence McNally  who wrote the show’s book, adapted from E.L. Doctorow’s great novel about nothing less than the history of America, died shortly before the concert. But nearly everyone from that first cast and backstage crew was there, singing with their hearts, reminding us, if reminder was needed, that this show, Ragtime, had it all. This 25th Anniversary concert raised more than $1 million for the Entertainment Community Fund.

Here’s is my favourite song from that show, sung by original cast members, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra Macdonald, in the iconic scene that set them both on the road to stardom. I’ve given you two links to this song, both from that same year, 1998, when the show opened. The first link was shot from the stage during the show, so somewhat fuzzy, the second was shot just before the show opened, as part of the Kennedy Center Honors which that year honoured the great singer Jessye Norman and is therefore better shot and recorded.

The one I like best, inevitably, is the raw live show footage but they’re both wonderful. See what you think.

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