Marvin Ford: No one was more surprised than he to land a leading role as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. A seasoned entertainer with regular gigs who is the lead vocalist in the band Paradise, Mr. Ford's only previous stage appearance was 15 years ago in 'Once On This Island'. While he always dreamed of appearing on City Hall stage, he only auditioned for 'Ragtime' at the urging of a friend, with the hope of being part of the ensemble cast. Awarded a major role, he was blissfully unaware of the size and dominance of the Walker, Jr. role until enlightened by his vocal teacher. Undaunted, Mr. Ford is taking everything in stride, and simply doing what comes naturally.

After 15 years, he is particularly delighted to be teamed up again with fellow Bermudian singer Khalilah Smith, who plays Sarah, his love interest. The duo last worked together on 'Once On This Island'.

Mr. Ford defines Walker, Jr. as "an upstanding (black) gentleman to whom things have been done which make him very angry. Basically, all he wants is justice. If he had gotten the justice he was looking for, I don't think his rage would have gone so far".

"The role requires me to play lots of different emotions," he says. "Basically, I am Coalhouse Walker, Jr. I have lived a life not as drastic as his, but I have been where he is and I identify with him."

In terms of pre-performance nerves, forget that. Mr. Ford, who has been singing since he was five, says, "I have never walked on City Hall stage in my life, but I have always wanted to, so now I have the opportunity and I am here."

Burton Mazzone: A professional actor and singer from the US who teaches voice here, his experience includes Broadway and regional theatre, as well as television and film roles, which include 'Sex and the City' in both mediums. He is enthusiastic about playing the immigrant Tateh because he loves the journey the character takes.

"He arrives with nothing and ends up in a whole different place through a lot of tribulation. What happens to Tateh is exciting because he really goes down, then up again to something wonderful, which shows the possibilities of life."

Although Bermuda is the only place where Mr. Mazzone participates in community theatre, he always approaches each production as a professional because the standard of actors and directors is so high here. In terms of 'Ragtime', he describes guest director Vivienne Elborne as "brilliant", and says she is one of the reasons he is in the show.

"I have worked with Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen and Susan Strohman, and Vivienne is as good as anyone could possibly be ¿ loving, organised and skilled. Part of why we are so excited about opening is because we are so prepared. The rehearsal process has been a joy."

Mr. Mazzone describes the great diversity of characters, music, styles, and scenes in 'Ragtime' as "absolutely amazing", and he is particularly impressed to find a similar diversity among the cast and crew, where people from different races, walks of life, cultural and national backgrounds are happily sharing the same experience.

Jenn Osmond: Plays 'Mother', a character who starts out as the typical female head of an affluent white family at the turn of the 20th century. She doesn't rock the boat, and does everything expected of her. Then something happens which requires her to make a huge decision. As a result, she undergoes a journey which Miss Osmond found very challenging to portray. Thanks to director Osborne, whom the actress describes as "wonderful" and a great in assisting her to get to the point, she feels she has captured the character.

"Thilled" to discover Mark Dorrell was returning as musical director, Miss Osmond says he is " incredibly talented", and everybody loves him.

"Both he and Vivienne are tough in a very good way. We don't waste time at rehearsals, and they both make the absolute best use of the time we are given. They make us look and sound so good," she sums up.

Daniel Maguire: Plays Edgar, a little immigrant boy ¿ a role he describes as "cool". Now "11 turning 12" and an M1 student at Somersfield Academy, he likes acting and singing, helps with a choir at the School for the Performing Arts, and has participated in Daniel Frith's summer theatre camp. He describes Edgar's character "as a boy who never gets to talk to kids, has a sixth sense that the Archduke is going to die, and tries to tell Houdini because Houdini is magic".

Recommended for the role, Daniel knew nothing about 'Ragtime' when his mother (who is also in the cast) told him he would be auditioning, but is glad he got the part. He does his homework before going to rehearsals, which he describes as "fun".

Although this is his first appearance in a major production, and his first time on City Hall stage, Daniel says he is "not nervous at all", and may become an actor when he grows up.

Robbie Godfrey is a professional actor in transition between London and Germany and what he hopes will be an acting career in Los Angeles. He plays 'Younger Brother' whom he describes as a naive young man who has lived a wealthy, privileged life, and has grown up without his own views, or the right to choose his own path. He longs to be accepted for himself and have something to be passionate about which is unconnected to his family. He finds the social changes and cultural clashes of the early 1900s interesting, and sees things which others don't, which deeply affects him.

"Younger Brother's journey throughout the play is very, very profound, and a lot of this will resonate with people in Bermuda," Mr. Godfrey says. "I greatly admire Gilbert & Sulivan for putting on this show because it speaks things that a lot of people are scared to talk about."

Kelvin Hastings-Smith plays 'Father', a character who is extremely selfish, believes he rules the world, and is oblivious to everything happening around him. "It is all about him, which is so unlike me," the actor says. "I like serious theatre, and I think that is what this part, which is straight, serious acting, gives me. I also get two songs, which is rather nice and also a great change."

Mr. Hastings-Smith describes Mrs. Elborne as "a true delight" as hands-on director with great vision, who knows what she wants and gets it; while Mr. Dorrell is "extremely experienced and competent", and a taskmaster who stretches the cast beyond its perceived abilities and always looks for something more than 100 percent, with "phenomenal" results.

The actor views the storyline in 'Ragtime' as very much like Bermuda today. Basically, there are the rich white folk in upmarket New Rochelle; the black folk in Harlem; and the immigrants who are a melting pot of humanity.

"It starts out with three groups who shun and have nothing to do with each other, but they all have the same feelings and the same views. and it is interesting to see the transition. It shows you how integration can and should occur, because we are all the same, and 'Ragtime' spells that out in the clearest possible terms. It is really a great show ¿ but very emotional and compelling."

Khalilah Smith, who plays Sarah, Coalhouse Walker, Jr.'s love interest, says her character has a pivotal role in the plot line, and it is things which happen involving her that drive the plot along. Miss Smith defines Sarah as a dignified, mature young woman, and a very much a lady living in the early 1900s, who goes through a series of emotional extremes throughout the musical.

"It shows you what many young negro women would have been going through in that time period with regard to racial, romantic and people relationships," she says.

The actress/singer loves playing Sarah, a role she did not find difficult to play, and certainly less strenuous than 'Dream Girls' but also very interesting. She is delighted to be working with Marvin Ford again after so many years, and has learned a lot from Mrs. Elborne "because she is so calm and collected and makes the whole experience quite relaxing".

l Further information on 'Ragtime' itself will appear in Friday's edition of Lifestyle. For ticket information see website www.bermudafestival.com or visit the Festival box office adjacent to the ferry terminal between 12 noon and 2 p.m. (296-5774).