‘Ragtime’ Star Joshua Henry Is Bringing Broadway to Its Feet
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Joshua Henry's powerful baritone performance as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Broadway revival of "Ragtime" has deeply moved audiences, eliciting emotional reactions such as gasps, sobs, and ovations.
- Henry portrays a complex range of emotions through his singing, capturing delight, heartbreak, and rage while maintaining exceptional vocal clarity.
- The character Coalhouse Walker Jr., a Black pianist, is central to the narrative, representing the struggles and dreams of Black Americans alongside the stories of white suburbanites and Jewish immigrants at the turn of the 20th century.
- Henry approaches the role with great seriousness, emphasizing the need to deliver a full, committed performance each night due to the show's heavy themes and profound promises.