Ragtime remains one of Broadway’s most enduring musicals. Since its 1998 debut, the story of turn-of-the-century America—told through the eyes of three very different communities—has captivated audiences. The original production won four Tony Awards, including Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Audra McDonald, Best Book of a Musical for Terrence McNally, Best Orchestrations for William David Brohn, and Best Original Score for Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.
A Revival Breathing New Life into a Classic
Today, Flaherty and Ahrens’ music and lyrics are being celebrated anew in the Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet. The production has drawn glowing reviews and smashed box office records, setting a new benchmark for the highest weekly grosses in Lincoln Center Theater history. As part of the excitement, Billboard offers an exclusive look behind the scenes of the cast recording for one of the musical’s most powerful numbers, “Wheels of a Dream.”
Behind the Scenes: Recording ‘Wheels of a Dream’
In an intimate clip from the recording session, three-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry can be seen building toward a soaring, emotional duet with Broadway newcomer Nichelle Lewis, who earned acclaim for her lead role in The Wiz in 2023. Fans of the original 1998 Broadway cast will remember that McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell first brought the iconic “Wheels of a Dream” to life. The video also showcases the 28-piece orchestra, led by James Moore, whose masterful conducting anchors the new Ragtime cast album.
Release Details
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Ragtime is set to debut digitally on Friday, Jan. 9. Physical copies will be available on CD beginning Feb. 6, with vinyl releases following on April 3. Pre-orders for the physical editions are now open.
Don’t miss the chance to [listen to the new ‘Ragtime’ cast perform the Broadway classic ‘Wheels of a Dream’] and experience the magic all over again.