The play followed the journey of Tateh, a Jewish immigrant played by Victor Curiel, and the struggles he faced throughout his search and hopes for the so-called American Dream. The issues surrounding immigration are not just a topic that just we as Americans are familiar about. Many of these issues have been addressed, yet no true healing has ever occurred as social problems have been drawn out through the last century and carried over into today’s society. The progress is healing the wound the blow made.” Malcolm X once said “You can’t drive a knife into a man’s back nine inches, pull it out six inches and call it progress. Yet these layers are glaring as they deal with the continuing problems in American society with topics like social justice movements, race relations, immigration, as well as privileges stemming from affluence.Īlthough these may take place in at the turn of the century, over a hundred years ago the relevance is enhanced in this tumultuous time period we are in. Like many great works of art, there are a plethora of layers to be depicted throughout “Ragtime”.

A play with a social message that resonated with the audience as the material, although taking place in the early 20 th century, parallels similar struggles we face today. John Bosco theater program entered 2019 with the task of tackling the play Ragtime: The Musical.

Ragtime play