Original Broadway Cast of Ragtime: The Musical
The Courtship
[MOTHER, spoken]
Yes?
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
I'm looking for a young woman of color whose name is Sarah. She's said to reside in one of these houses.
[LITTLE BOY, spoken]
She's here. She's living in our attic.
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
Will you tell her, please, that Mr. Coalhouse Walker Jr. desires to speak with her?
[MOTHER, spoken]
Certainly. Please wait there. Edgar?
[LITTLE BOY, spoken]
This is Sarah's baby. You want a cookie?
[MOTHER, spoken]
Sarah, you have a caller. A Mr. Walker. Won't you come down to the kitchen?
[SARAH, spoken]
No, ma'am. Send him away, please.
[MOTHER, spoken]
Well, that's the most words you've spoken since you've been here.
[COALHOUSE]
Ooh, yeah, ooh, ooh
[MOTHER, spoken]
Sarah is unable to see you. Good day.
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
Thank you, ma'am. Tell her I'll come back next Sunday.
[GRANDFATHER, spoken]
Such was the coming of the colored man in the car to Broadview Avenue.
[ENSEMBLE]
Each Sunday, he'd come driving
Curtains would part
Neighbors would peek
[MOTHER, spoken]
I'm sorry, Mr. Walker. Sarah still will not receive you.
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
Will you see that she gets these flowers, ma'am?
[ENSEMBLE]
Week after week
And after weeks of Sundays
[MOTHER]
Sending him off seemed a crime
(spoken)
Mr. Walker, it must be a long drive for you. Perhaps you would like a cup of tea before you go?
[COALHOUSE plays the piano.]
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
Hmm, this piano is badly in need of a tuning.
[MOTHER, spoken]
Oh, yes. We are terrible about that.
[GRANDFATHER, spoken]:
Do you know any coon songs?
[COALHOUSE, spoken]
Coon songs are made for minstrel shows. White men sing them in blackface. This is called ragtime.