Kennedy Center's Epic Ragtime

Whether central figures or not, the performers in Ragtime still put their own signature on their roles. As the dashing – and eventually, vengeful – Coalhouse Walker Jr., Quentin Earl Darrington adds a little humility to the charming character, and his rage builds slowly but steadily. Bobby Steggert brings an almost sociopathic quality to the role of the "younger brother" searching for something, which makes his meandering even more desperate. As Father, Ron Bohmer concentrates most on the character's stuck-in-the-mud conservatism, rendering him less sympathetic than some other interpretations - the song "Journey On" does lose some of its optimism as a result, but the cynicism isn't necessarily misplaced.

But it is Christiane Noll who is most riveting as Mother, a woman left behind for a year by her husband who finds herself making choices she'd never expect from herself. The clear-voiced Noll (it's great the Broadway regular has found such worthwhile work in D.C. lately) brings much strength of character to the roll, and is so winning that it's easy to become invested in her triumph. She and Manoel Felciano as Tateh, a street vendor-turned-film-director, infuse the heartbreaking "Our Children" with much romantic tension, and Noll's self-realizing "Back to Before" vies for the role of the show's climax.

Ragtime runs through May 17 at the Kennedy Center. Tickets (which appear to be sold out) are sold online.

Update:Looks like while some shows are sold out, there are seats left for Ragtime, so get them while you can.