<cite>Ragtime</cite> revival puts renewed emphasis on people, by Michael Kuchwara
Surely there are not many opening numbers better than the intoxicating first moments of <cite>Ragtime</cite>, the stage version of E.L. Doctorow's best-selling novel. The show's themes and characters are introduced lickety-split in a thrilling combination of song, story and movement that goes a long way toward explaining what musical theater is all about. It also sets the bar very high for what is to follow at Broadw…