"Mother's is definately a timeless story" |
 | She created the role of Emma in Wildhorn's Jekyll & Hyde, but her versatility has taken her to a variety of shows like Urinetown or Mambo Kings. After a 5-week run in Washington, the new revival of Ragtime is about to open on Broadway and Christiane Noll is one of the central characters of this show. Portraying Mother, Noll's returning to Broadway and she explains to Palco5 her take on this iconic role created by E.L. Doctorow and brought to the stage by Ahrens-Flaherty-McNally. | Read this interview in Spanish / Lee la entrevista en Español Ragtime is about to begin previews today. Are you excited about bringing the show to Broadway?
Very excited! I was actually really looking forward to yesterday's invited dress! It is usually the most amazing audience we ever experience because the theater is filled with friends and family and lots of theater folks!! The energy was incredible!! It's such a gift to be able to bring this piece back to Broadway. We all feel so grateful to be a part of it -and say so daily. So many people just don't get to experience something like this.
Did you do any research (original novel, movie, first stage version) to build your take on the role of Mother?
I had a baby! Ha! What a research project! I had seen the movie when it came out. I read the book a few times. I saw the original Broadway show, on opening night, actually. It helped to be familiar with the story but it didn't really inform my take on the role of Mother. I always like to look at artwork of the time -portraiture in particular -to get a feel for the carriage of people of the time. Mostly I just read the script again and again and tried not to think too much about it. Mother evolves to a more open-minded woman in a family where she's trapped. Is it a timeless story?
This is definitely a timeless story. She is very courageous without realizing it, really. The roles of women are always changing and evolving and it is really fascinating to delve into the journey of this lady as she discovers herself, her power, her independence, her place in the world as a "modern" woman! I think we all still grapple with that on a daily basis. Christiane Noll as Mother (Credit: Joan Marcus)
And what about the score? Ragtime has one of the most beaufitul scores ever written. I agree with you. We had our first orchestra rehearsal yesterday, which is usually my most favorite day in the rehearsal process -it's the one time that the orchestra and the cast get to see each other and really hear what the other is doing. This score is so moving and inspiring, really a joy to sing. It just allows the fullest expression of emotion -and these songs are emotional. The end of ACT I leaves everyone in the room in tears!
This revival has a much more stripped-down set than the first version. How does it reflect on the actors work? I don't think that is an accurate description of this set. This is set mammoth. Very operatic in scale. What I love about the set is that it become a character in it's own right as much as a framework to the action. It is a four level structure that with the addition of small details here and there, transports the audience and the actors to another place. The first time I saw it I was a little intimidated! It's really big and goes rather high. I'm glad I don't have to go above the second level -I'd be a little nervous up on the higher levels. What I love about this production is how everything is focused toward the storytelling and the actors interactions. Beautifully framed and lit - it makes my job very easy. You've been involved in this version of Ragtime since Washington DC. How has it changed on the road to Broadway?
The biggest change is the running time. We made a lot of small little internal cuts, hardly noticeable but when added up end up being almost 15 minutes! That's awesome. In a day when audiences are becoming more accustomed to a shorter night at the theater, I think getting away from 3 hour running time will be a good thing for us.
Do you think it's the right moment for the revival of Ragtime?
The tag line that they have created for our show is "Their Time -Our Time -Ragtime". It couldn't be more appropriate. The issues that these characters encounter are right out of our headlines. Economy, immigration, racism, terrorism, celebrity. The ideaology of the world is changing very quickly -much the way it did at the beginning of the last century -and people either adapt or get left behind.
Not to mention that with Obama in the White House the song 'Wheels of a Dream' has even more resonance. Coalhouse imagines what his young son's life could be like in a world that would let a Black man go to Harvard, let alone own a car. It's very poignant and powerful. What's your favorite moment in the show?
I love the moments I share with Robert Petkoff -our Tateh. There is such a love affair between Mother and Tateh that is much mostly unspoken. So special and tender -I love feeling the audience share in there journey.
You gave a sneak peak of what's about to begin at the Neil Simon in Broadway on Broadway. How did it feel?
Broadway on Broadway was a hoot! So many people and so many shows!! It's always fabulous to do something that involves the entire Broadway community.
Noll and Robert Cuccioli in Jekyll & Hyde
You're back on Broadway with Ragtime but your first show on Broadway was Jekyll & Hyde. What did the role of Emma mean to you? I am grateful for the opportunities that Jekyll & Hyde afforded me. Emma was a wonderful introduction for me. It started me on an incredible journey. Your versatility is amazing. From Jekyll & Hyde to Urinetown, to Mambo Kings, and now Ragtime. Is there any limit for an actor?
Only the limits that they put on themselves. I feel that way. I have been so lucky to have special roles come my way at very special times of my life. Ragtime is definitely one of those times. To be a new Mother and play a character that is the iconic -Mother -is a beautiful taste of kismet!! It wouldn't have been as momentous at any other time of my life -but here we are -now! What a kick!!
Thank you very much, Christiane.
Thank you!! Check Ragtime's Official Website
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