Syncopated Debauchery: A Ragtime Celebration

Musician Eve Elliot has put together a wonderful show – equal parts informative and entertaining, for both the layperson and the aficionado alike. Her subject—American piano music from the turn of the 20th century—lends itself particularly well to this, as restoring its historical context means shining a light on saucy social scenes populated by a colorful cast of characters. Eve’s narrative treats her subject in a comedic yet dignified manner. She demonstrates an abundant admiration and respect for the original purveyors of this art form. Her narrative highlights how these artists were indeed heroic characters – larger than life individuals who traversed the highs and lows of their milieu, leaving rip-roaring music in their wake. Eve ... full review

Eve Elliot is brilliant! She wove together ragtime history, playing piano, singing, dancing and acting with all well-crafted and specially designed props. She's a one-woman show not to be missed!... full review

I loved this show! Eve Elliot brought the musicians and social settings of early American ragtime and jazz vividly to life. She didn’t just talk about them—she embodied the musicians, shared stories that revealed their personalities, and played their music with spirit and skill. One highlight: she performed a single song in four different musicians’ styles. Fantastic!... full review

The show was a fun and intimate show hosted by a wickedly talented pianist.... full review

A truly stellar show. Eve Elliot is a fabulous pianist, one who plays this genre - ragtime and early jazz - not only with supreme skill, but with a deep understanding of the artists who originally created it. Her storytelling is as impressive as her musicianship (and that's really saying something!) wherein she talks not only about the specific bios of these groundbreaking musicians, but about the social conditions they endured: While the show contains an abundance of joy and humor, Eve doesn't shy away from the poverty and racism that these men experienced. Overall, this show is a wonderful example of a deep dive, musically and socially.... poignant and hilarious, two aspects which, as Eve ably demonstrates, are not mutually exclusive! ... full review

This was one of the best one woman shows I’ve ever seen! Eve Elliot’s piano playing is totally delightful, and the way she wove her musicianship into a story that paid such respect and homage to her musical heroes (and those who laid the foundations for so much of our popular music today) was just amazing. The great acting and costumes, story telling and accents, and funny bits and gags in the spirit of the era make it really flow, and I was really moved to see the story acknowledge the immense societal challenges those artists endured as well. Thank you for creating an entertaining and super informative musical history. Musicians and newcomers can all appreciate this so much! Bravo!... full review

I thoroughly enjoyed this production. It felt lively, authentic and engaging. Eve’s expertise truly captured the unique qualities of each composer, and made them come alive. ... full review

A tour de force of musical acumen and elegant wit. ... full review

One of my favorite things about the fringe is walking into a show and being unexpectedly delightfully surprised... and this was the case with Eve Elliot's beautifully told story through the history of ragtime and the incredible musicians who influenced American music today. I wish all our history was taught this way! Goodness what fun. And who knew our history was so SO rich. ... full review

I loved getting a funny, detailed and deeply musical history lesson - about musicians that history has overlooked. Eve is a brilliant piano player and all-around musician. It's always a joy to hear a skilled ragtime player do their thing live - and even more so when it's a woman! I felt enriched, educated and entertained. Can't wait to hear her play and sing again.... full review