The sweeping story makes those ideals and historical events of the early 1900’s feel personal. Since then it has toured nationally several times, played London’s West End and enjoyed a Broadway revival. When this ambitious musical opened on Broadway in 1998 it played for two years and earned Tony Awards for Best Book and Score for Terrance McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. All three characters strive against unimaginable odds to achieve their own personal freedom. Doctorow’s historical novel, the musical traces the story of three American cultures at the turn of the century: Coalhouse Walker Jr., a talented, educated African-American pianist Mother, a woman discovering her newfound independence as the matriarch of a New Rochelle household and Tateh, a Latvian Jewish immigrant, with a dream for his young daughter and himself. Its story musically and dramatically draws audiences along with its characters on an unforgettable, intensely emotional journey toward that end.īased upon E.L. The show portrays a diversity of individuals, all striving toward the same goal: achieving the American Dream. Washington, as well as a large company of fictional characters (all played by 29 accomplished actors, one of the largest casts ever assembled on this stage), features some of the finest theatrical talent from both the Chicago and Broadway stage. Indeed, this epic musical, peopled by historical characters like Henry Ford, Emma Goldman and Booker T. Marriott’s production once again validates Chicago as one of the finest theatrical cities in the nation and why it’s not always necessary to travel further than Lincolnshire in order to enjoy Broadway caliber entertainment.
Audiences who miss this extraordinary, visually and emotionally breathtaking musical will regret it. With our country currently in political upheaval regarding race relations and immigration, it’s an especially topical piece of theatre. This is the musical Chicago has been waiting for and will be talking about for years to come.