‘Ragtown! A Musical Drama’ premiers after 25 years in the making
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C.W. Post, played by Ron Meadows, left, instructs his hired hands, Cooney, played by Michael Williams; Red, played by David Burk; and Dub, played by Jay Young in Ragtown! A Musical Drama.
By Dakota McDonald—
After 25 years of intensive research and writing, Ragtown Gospel Theatre presented Ragtown! A Musical Drama for the first time on Aug. 8.
“You’ve probably read all about how long it’s taken us to finally stage this play,” co-founder Chip Polk said. “I’m actually glad it was delayed. It needed to come at this particular point in time. The message in this play has more of a modern message than when it was written 20 years ago.”
The play, a historical drama filled with music, humor and a message of faith, forgiveness and new beginnings, follows eccentric millionaire cereal inventor, C. W. Post, and his journey in founding Post, Texas.
Although Post City wasn’t the utopia its founder had envisioned, an extraordinary group of farmers and cowhands were willing to participate in his grand experiment. Even after their original tent city was shredded to rags by wind and hail, the group continued to push headlong, determined to persevere in spite of their differences and challenges.
By witnessing the strength of multiple characters throughout the rollicking story, Polk believes the audience will gain encouragement to face and overcome modern-day challenges of their own.
“All of us could use a little encouragement,” Polk said, “and I believe Ragtown! will provide that – the answer to all the fear and division we are experiencing.”
As all Ragtown Gospel Theater performances, the gospel is woven throughout the show, portraying a story of forgiveness and healing the wounds of division between brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of skin color, or on which side of the Civil War they may have been, he said.
“Conveying the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music and drama has been the mission of Ragtown Gospel Theater from the beginning,” Polk said. “We are grateful to be able to continue to minister in the midst of these turbulent times when people so need encouragement and a positive message of hope.”
In fact, co-founder Glenn Polk believes God had a hand in the preparation of Ragtown!, and his
Brother Chip agrees.
“It must have been God’s design for it to take us this long to get it to the stage,” he said. “It is a message we believe everyone needs to hear.”
Ragtown! A Musical Drama will be performed at 3 p.m. every Saturday through Sept. 27 at Ragtown Gospel Theater, 870 Ragtown Road. Volunteers ask anyone wanting to attend to call 877-724-8696 or visit ragtown.com as seating is limited due to COVID-19 safety measures. The building and seating are handicap accessible.
Ragtown Gospel Theater is a non-profit Christian organization located in Post, Texas.
