Anyone going to the first RAGTIME preview tonight (10/23)?

[LearnToBounce]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:17am

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:18am

Yes

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 2:25am

I'll be there!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 6:35am

Yes! I have been waiting for this all week!!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 6:44am

I wish! Hope you all love it, though. It's a great production of a great show.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:01am

I will be there!

I think there are going to be quite a lot of us actually.

[tami3]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:37am

Ragtime was amazing last night!!!

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:46am

I'm trying to lotto!

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 8:03am

yes and I can't wait!!!
Updated On: 10/23/09 at 08:03 AM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 3:01pm

I will be there! I could not be more excited. :)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 4:09pm

How crazy do you think the lotto will be? I'm hoping the possibility of rain will turn some people away. I think I'll try my luck at lotto. I've only lottoed twice before (for HAIR) and I won both times. Maybe my luck will continue! (Fingers crossed.)

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 5:23pm

rOcKs don't get me all freaked out about lotto! I'm hoping to win tongith!

[Mr.Tenor]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 6:41pm

This is kinda off-topic but I've always wanted to know, what exactly is the difference between a preview and the actually show? Are the ticket sales limited or do they only do like half of the show? Sorry for my ignorance. XD

[LearnToBounce]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 6:50pm

A play or musical uses previews, Mr. Tenor, to smooth out the production, to work out the kinks.

The entire show is performed every night, but tickets are sold at lower prices.

[Mr.Tenor]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 6:55pm

Ah, thanks!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:10pm

All of you better post your thoughts tonight, because I'm anxious to hear what people think! (Especially Dottie!)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:46pm

Well...I lost the lotto. BUT I won two free tickets via their daily Twitter contests! I'm so excited; I can't stand it!

I can't WAIT to hear how it is!

[fanadu1996]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:55pm

generally sold a lower price.... not always.
once opening night hits, the show is FROZEN. if anything is changed after opening, it is a legal issue!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:37pm

Just spoke to three friends who are at the show. One used the world "brilliant," one used the word "astonishing," and the other used the word "amazing." Apparently Christine Noll is a major standout.
Updated On: 10/23/09 at 09:37 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:43pm

I hope you all enjoy. I saw it in DC and it is indeed astonishing.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:43pm

Intermission now. I am sitting behind Ahrens and Flaherty and spazzing about it. The show is in gorgeous shape, especially for first preview. Umoh is the standout for me, she had big shoes to fill and is certainly up to the task. My only complaint is the orchestra sounds dampened and dull which takes away from the lushness of the score.

Updated On: 10/23/09 at 09:43 PM

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:50pm

How crowded was the lotto tonight?
I can't wait to see this!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 10:01pm

It was really crowded. They turned a lot of people away.


I'm bad with estimating stuff like this but I'd say there were 75 people there or so. Updated On: 10/23/09 at 10:01 PM

[Oldschool]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 11:15pm

Colleen, they're likely trying to find a balance point for the orchestra. Does it sound flat or does it lack presence, or volume? Also, where are you sitting as that may affect it.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 11:32pm

I lost lotto... but I used a discount to get some Mid Mezz seats for 46.50. The view was great.


The show will be the best this year. I have no doubt. The critics will love it, word of mouth will make it a success, and it will be a Tony favorite.

First- The Show Itself:
I didn't LOVE the score. I loved every song Sarah sang and every song the mother sang. The book is brilliant.

Second- This Production:
Expect more from this director because she will be in high demand. It's a beautiful production, it's simple yet complex if that makes any sense... What I mean is that it's a very pure with a lot of brilliant details.

The set is the same as DC, three story a la Jersey Boys and Next to Normal.

The lights were my biggest problem. This was one of the few aspects that shouted out "First Preview!" to me. In some scenes on one side of the stage the lights were sort of flashing and changing colors and sometimes a weird pattern would come across the stage. With some technical fixing it will be perfect.

Third- Cast:
Excuse me for spelling mistakes

Stephanie Umoh (Sarah)- I loved her, she had huge shoes to fill with Audra originating the role and she filled them pretty well. Her voice was beautiful and she was a great actress. I hope she is recognized come Tony season.

Christine Noll (Mother)- Her voice is PERFECT and was definitely a standout. She will be recognized for various awards.

Ron Bohmer (Father)- Nothing great, there is not much to say.

Quentin Earl Darrington (Coalhouse)- I suck at writing reviews because I feel like I keep saying the same thing but he was also great. Acting was his strongest point and he had a great voice to go along with it.

Ensemble- With another week this production can be flawless but now the ensemble just needs a little tightening.