New ‘Ragtime’ Cast Records Broadway Classic ‘Wheels of a Dream’

Since its Broadway premiere in 1998, Ragtime has remained a cornerstone of American musical theater. This sweeping exploration of turn-of-the-century life—viewed through the lens of three distinct families—originally garnered four Tony Awards. Among the honors were Best Book for Terrence McNally and Best Original Score for the legendary duo Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, as well as a milestone win for a then-rising Audra McDonald.

That rich musical legacy is currently finding a new audience at Lincoln Center Theater. Directed by Lear deBessonet, the Ragtime revival has become a commercial and critical juggernaut, recently shattering box office records to achieve the highest weekly gross in the theater’s history. For those who haven’t yet witnessed the production, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look offers a glimpse into the making of the new cast album, specifically the soaring anthem “Wheels of a Dream.”

The featured footage captures three-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry in the vocal booth, delivering a powerhouse performance alongside breakout star Nichelle Lewis. Lewis, who garnered widespread acclaim for her leading role in 2023’s The Wiz, steps into the role originally immortalized by McDonald. The recording also showcases the sheer scale of the production, featuring a lush 28-piece orchestra led by conductor James Moore.

The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Ragtime is scheduled for digital release this Friday, January 9. Collectors can anticipate the CD arrival on February 6, while the vinyl edition is set to drop on April 3. Fans can pre-order the physical formats here.

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