Theater review: ‘Ragtime’ in Long Beach hits all the right notes

The turn of the 20th century held great promise for America. Eventually we would become known for our bravery, industriousness, innovation. We would at least try to take the side of right. We would defend the weak. And everyone who dared to dream could strive to live those dreams.
That early decade is where the 1998 Broadway musical “Ragtime” begins. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel, with gorgeous score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, book by Terrence McNally, it tells three