BroadwayRadio: Class Notes – Rodd Cyrus in “Ragtime”

Date: April 10, 2026
Host: Lauren Klasschneider
Guest: Rodd Cyrus, Harry Houdini in Ragtime at the Vivian Beaumont Theater

Episode Overview

This episode features Lauren Klasschneider in conversation with Rodd Cyrus, who stars as Harry Houdini in the current Broadway production of Ragtime at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater. The discussion explores Rodd’s unique journey to Broadway, his perspective on embodying a real-life figure in a fictional tapestry, the enduring resonance of Ragtime, and the personal significance of heritage and identity in his artistic life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Houdini and the Facts within the Fable

• Rodd reflects on playing Harry Houdini, a real historical figure, amid mainly fictional core families in Ragtime.
  • “There’s something about having real characters like Houdini ... that ground the story and make it feel nonfiction.” [00:55]
  • The presence of historical figures (Emma Goldman, Booker T. Washington, Henry Ford, etc.) provides an “anchor to the truth,” making the musical resonate beyond the mythic, and adding authenticity to the narrative.

2. Early Exposure to Ragtime

• Rodd’s initial encounter was a Los Angeles production during his UCLA days.
  • He admired the “epic” scale, but never envisioned himself in the show.
  • “It’s funny that I never saw it and was like, there’s a part for me in there, you know. So when I got it, it was a total, total, amazing surprise.” [02:47]

3. From Audition to Broadway Debut

• Rodd describes a self-driven process: after seeing the casting notice for Houdini, he reached out directly to his agent.
  • “I texted my agent and I was like, I want to go in for this. And they were like, great ... it was one of the quickest auditions I’ve ever had in my life.” [03:22]
  • He notes pride in “managing your career as opposed to it being managed for you,” championing self-advocacy in the industry.
  • “You gotta be in the driver’s seat. Nobody’s driving this car for you.” [04:14]
  • Hopes for a future with less hustle, though he’s aware it’s part of the artist’s journey, especially for a Broadway debut.

4. Professional Training: UCLA & Juilliard MFA

• Rodd articulates why he pursued an MFA after initial industry success post-UCLA.
  • Despite external progress, he faced a sense of “unfulfillment.”
  • “I just try everything. I’m such a yes man ... What’s the one thing I haven’t tried? Grad school.” [05:13]
  • The Juilliard experience was unplanned, improvised, and ultimately transformative.
  • “Retrospectively, it was the best decision I ever made and put me on this path that I’m just extremely grateful for now.” [05:58]

5. City Center, Buzz, and Broadway Transfer

• Past experience with City Center’s Light in the Piazza taught Rodd to temper expectations about shows transferring to Broadway.
  • “With all City Center shows, there’s this little bit of, like, is this one gonna move? ... So when Ragtime came around, I was like, what will be, will be.” [06:36]
  • The transfer was a “pleasant surprise” and the perfect vehicle for a Broadway debut.

6. The Resonance and Relevance of Ragtime

• Both guest and host reference enthusiastic critical reception (Variety: “a thrilling, timely, glorious panorama of changing times. It reverberates with passion.” [07:34])
  • Rodd details why the show feels timely: thematically rich, expertly crafted, and a mirror to ongoing American questions about identity and aspiration.
  • He recalls writers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty at rehearsal:
    • “They looked at us and they were like: ‘This is the time Ragtime needs to come back.’” [08:15]
  • “It’s hitting on the American dream in a way that we’re all sort of grappling with what that means.” [09:14]

7. Embracing the Hyphen: Heritage & Identity

• Rodd, who identifies as Iranian, English, Irish, Welsh, Italian, American, describes the role of identity in his artistry.
  • Shares his mother’s wisdom:
    • “We in this family, we embrace the hyphen.” [09:56]
  • Predicts a future where more Americans will be “hyphenated”:
    • “Labels ... will eventually need to fade and nuance will become all the rage.” [10:16]
  • Sees his mixed roots not as confusion but as “superpower.”
    • “If people are confused, that is actually a superpower.” [10:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On playing real characters amidst fictional stories:
  “The named characters, you know, these real people, ground the show inside of the truth.” – Rodd Cyrus [01:16]

• On creating your own opportunities:
  “I was pretty proud of myself that, you know, the Broadway debut came from ... me sending an email.” – Rodd Cyrus [03:49]

• The artist’s hustle:
  “You gotta be in the driver’s seat. Nobody’s driving this car for you.” – Rodd Cyrus [04:14]

• Juilliard’s unexpected gift:
  “Retrospectively, it was the best decision I ever made...” – Rodd Cyrus [05:58]

• The enduring need for Ragtime:
  “This is the time Ragtime needs to come back.” – Rodd Cyrus, quoting Ahrens and Flaherty [08:15]

• On identity:
  “We in this family, we embrace the hyphen.” – Rodd Cyrus (quoting his mother) [09:56]
  “My superpower ... is just owning the vastness of that.” – Rodd Cyrus [10:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Playing a real person amidst fiction: [00:55]
• Personal Broadway journey and self-advocacy: [03:22–04:56]
• Juilliard MFA and artistic growth: [05:06–05:58]
• City Center, transfers, and debut: [06:36–07:34]
• Ragtime’s timeliness and impact: [07:57–09:14]
• Heritage and embracing the hyphen: [09:49–10:58]

Conclusion

In this intimate and insightful episode, Rodd Cyrus shares his delight in being part of Ragtime’s return to Broadway, highlighting the importance of both personal initiative in an unpredictable industry and the celebration of complex, hyphenated identities. The resonance of Ragtime—past, present, and future—comes alive through his reflections, leaving listeners with the enduring message: Embrace the hyphen.