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‘Ragtime’ is still resonating with audiences 30 years since its Broadway debut

Nbcwashington · 🇺🇸 public United States · · 1202 words · By Elise Ryan; The Associated Press
Artistic Merit and Recognition Contemporary Political Relevance National Identity and Social Justice
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What to know about Artistic Merit and Recognition

It's been nearly 30 years since Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for the musical “Ragtime,” an American epic tracking the intertwining lives of three families in New York at the turn of the 20th century.

Claims checked 20
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center83%
Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

It's been nearly 30 years since Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for the musical “Ragtime,” an American epic tracking the intertwining lives of three families in New York at the turn of the 20th century.

Why it matters

Staged at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, the musical is in its third run on Broadway — and earned 11 Tony nominations, including for best revival.

Common ground

It's resonating the most with audiences this time, they said.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/ragtime-resonatin…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Glittering Generalities 70% confidence
Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 20 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 10
check_circle Corroborated 4
verified Verified By Reference 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 1
help
Claim 1: “Ahrens and Flaherty took home the prize for best original score, McNally best book and William David Brohn best orchestrations”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided or found in the search results regarding the specific Tony wins for score, book, and orchestrations for the original production.
verified
Claim 2: “When we originally did it on Broadway, which was 1998”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
While Wikipedia confirms the existence of the musical, the provided evidence for this specific claim consists of dictionary definitions of 'original' and unrelated biographies. No evidence in the provided set confirms the 1998 premiere date.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Benjamin Levi Ross (born January 15, 1998) is an American stage actor and singer. He is best known for his work in the stage musical Dear Evan Hansen, where he was Evan on Broadway and in the national…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Levi_Ross
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ragtime is a musical with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. It is based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow. Set in the early 20th century, Ragtime tell…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(musical)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Shaina Taub is an American actress, singer, musician, and Tony Award–winning composer and lyricist.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaina_Taub
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 3: “Among its other nods are nominations for all three leads, and for featured performers Nichelle Lewis and Ben Levi Ross.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 4: “this Broadway run, which concludes on Aug. 2.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 5: ““Ragtime” is a front-runner for best musical revival, against strong competition from “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and “The Rocky Horror Show.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 6: “It also won Audra McDonald, the Tonys' most decorated performer, her first award.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 7: “A 2027 tour, with deBessonet and the Broadway run’s creative team at the helm, will bring the show to a wider audience around the country.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 8: “Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for the musical “Ragtime,””
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia explicitly states that Ragtime has music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Lynn Ahrens (born October 1, 1948) is an American writer and lyricist for the musical theatre, television and film. She has collaborated with Stephen Flaherty for many years. She won the Tony Award, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Ahrens
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ragtime is a musical with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. It is based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow. Set in the early 20th century, Ragtime tell…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(musical)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Stephen Flaherty (born September 18, 1960) is an American composer of musical theatre and film. He works most often in collaboration with the lyricist/book writer Lynn Ahrens. He is best known for wri…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Flaherty
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 9: “Brandon Uranowitz... acted as a child in the pre-Broadway production.”
CORROBORATED
A web search result explicitly states that a 10-year-old Brandon Uranowitz replaced Paul Dano in the world premiere-production of Ragtime in Toronto.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Uranowitz made his Broadway debut in the 2011 jukebox musical Baby It's You!. ... 2026: Ragtime (2025 Broadway Cast Recording); featured on 6 tracks. Awards ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Uranowitz
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 10, 2026 ... Tony Award nominees Caissie Levy (Mother) and Brandon Uranowitz (Tateh) perform “Our Children” on the 2025 Broadway Cast Recording of RAGTIME.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYKRaz_u3Uo/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 9, 2025 ... A year earlier, 10-year-old Brandon replaced Paul Dano in the world premiere-production of “Ragtime” in Toronto. The musical adapted E.L. ...
https://www.heyalma.com/brandon-uranowitzs-journey-to-ragtim…
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Claim 10: “and earned 11 Tony nominations, including for best revival.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including a news report from May 2026, confirm the revival earned 11 Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 52nd Annual Tony Awards ceremony was held on June 7, 1998, at Radio City Music Hall and was broadcast by CBS television. A documentaries segment was telecast on PBS television. The ceremony was ho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 64th Annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday, June 13, 2010, held again at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The host was Sean Hayes. These awards paid tribute to Broadway productions durin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64th_Tony_Awards
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ragtime is a musical with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. It is based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow. Set in the early 20th century, Ragtime tell…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(musical)
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 11: “Joshua Henry... plays Coalhouse Walker Jr.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 12: “Adapted from the 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, the show's book is by the late playwright Terrence McNally.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and multiple web sources confirm the musical is adapted from E.L. Doctorow's 1975 novel and the book is by Terrence McNally.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Edgar Lawrence Doctorow (January 6, 1931 – July 21, 2015) was an American novelist, editor, and professor, best known for his works of historical fiction. He wrote twelve novels, three volumes of shor…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._L._Doctorow
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ragtime is a 1981 American historical drama film directed by Miloš Forman, based on E. L. Doctorow's 1975 novel of the same name. It is set in and around New York City at the start of the 20th century…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(film)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ragtime is a 1975 historiographic metafiction novel by American author E. L. Doctorow. The novel mixes historical figures and fictional characters together in a sweeping narrative set in the New York …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(novel)
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
Claim 13: “The original production lost the best new musical Tony Award to “The Lion King,””
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided or found in the search results regarding the original production's loss to The Lion King.
schedule
Claim 14: “Lewis plays Sarah, Coalhouse’s beloved; Ross is Mother’s Younger Brother and Colin Donnell her husband, Father; Shaina Taub is Goldman”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 15: “Staged at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, the musical is in its third run on Broadway”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent news sources (AP News, WRAL) confirm the musical is in its third Broadway run at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Caissie Shira Levy (born April 15, 1981) is a Canadian actress and singer, mainly known for her work in musical theatre on Broadway and in the West End. She has received a Tony Award as well as nomina…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caissie_Levy
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Joshua Anthony Charlton Henry (born September 2, 1984) is a Canadian-American, Grammy and Tony Award winning actor and singer of stage and screen, known for his performances in Broadway musicals. He i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Henry
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ragtime is a musical with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally. It is based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow. Set in the early 20th century, Ragtime tell…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(musical)
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 16: “features historical figures like activist Emma Goldman, educator and leader Booker T. Washington, banker J.P. Morgan, auto founder Henry Ford and illusionist Harry Houdini.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim consists of cake recipes, which are completely irrelevant to the content of the musical Ragtime.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 21, 2025 · The 30 cake recipes made from scratch here have easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of standard ingredients you're sure to already have or find easily. So just go for it!
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g39…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 2, 2024 · Celebrate any occasion with one of our best cake recipes. These recipes get top marks from readers. Think wow-worthy tiered cakes, rich chocolate confections, and nostalgic favorites.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/top-10-cake-recipes/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 29, 2026 · Discover a collection of Bundt cake recipes that include some of our most popular desserts to date. These pretty molded cakes look impressive, but they're deceptively simple to make.
https://www.southernliving.com/bundt-cake-recipes-11931558
schedule
Claim 17: “Caissie Levy, nominated for her role of Mother”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 18: “Now, he's nominated for best lead actor in a musical for playing the role of Tateh, a Jewish immigrant from Latvia.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (WRAL, Wikipedia, AOL) confirm Brandon Uranowitz is nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as Tateh.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Brandon Jacob Uranowitz is an American actor. He won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for Leopoldstadt and has also received Tony Award nominations for An American in Paris, Falsettos,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Uranowitz
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Now, he's nominated for best lead actor in a musical for playing the role of Tateh, a Jewish immigrant from Latvia.Joshua Henry, nominated alongside his costar for best lead actor, plays Coalhouse Wal…
https://www.wral.com/news/ap/2e533-ragtime-is-still-resonati…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Brandon Uranowitz is in contention for a Tony Award for his leading role in Broadway's hit revival of Ragtime. The actor is “really, really grateful” for the life he's built with longtime partner and …
https://www.aol.com/articles/ragtime-brandon-uranowitz-says-…
schedule
Claim 19: “director Lear deBessonet, also Tony-nominated”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 20: “A 2009 revival received six nominations, but lost best revival to “La Cage aux Folles.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.