Cast announced for Ragtime- Page 2

[Jackies1979]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 3:24pm

agreed re: Steggert.
He will receive a Tony nom for supporting actor I would predict. And I'd just love to see the same happen for Christiane Noll. She really surprised me.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 3:26pm

I'm very curious to see this production as I really disliked the Broadway staging. Parts of it worked very well, but it was such a schizophrenic production.

[Dramateacher]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 3:31pm

There's an entire series on Boston.com/The Boston Globe following Stephanie Umoh's experiences as she transitions from college student to full time actor - I saw her as Sarah at New Rep and she was outstanding. I'll see the production just to see her in this role!
ETA: the link would be nice, huh?http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/specials/stephanie_umoh/
Updated On: 8/27/09 at 03:31 PM

[Oldschool]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 3:55pm

Mr. Matt, don't be alarmed. This production peels back all the hyperbolic staging antics and SFX from the original, leaving the story to unfold without all the distractions. There's still a lot of story to be told, but without the carnival atmosphere it allows one to absorb the show rather than be oppressed by it.

I for one didn't care for Tracy Lynn's performance am disappointed that Liz Early didn't make the cut.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 3:59pm

"I for one didn't care for Tracy Lynn's performance am disappointed that Liz Early didn't make the cut."

Am I missing something, didn't Tracy play either Kathleen or Bridget (I can't remember which)? Besides being in the ensemble what could she have done that you didn't care for? Please note, I'm not being confrontational, I'm just curious.

Thanks.

Updated On: 8/27/09 at 03:59 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 4:03pm

I'm thrilled the majority of the Kennedy Center cast is transferring. This is an incredible production with an equally stellar company.

Catherine Walker, who was a terrific Mary in MARY POPPINS the many times she went on, is the first cover for Mother. While Christiane Noll delivered the best work for her career in the D.C. production, I'd be interested to see Walker take on the role as well.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 4:07pm

Noll's "Back to Before"

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 4:12pm

I saw Stephanie Umoh in the New Rep production. She was fantastic.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 4:13pm

THANK GOODNESS WE HAVE AN EFFING 28-PIECE ORCHESTRA

AND CHRISTIANE NOLL FINALLY GETS HER BREAK!

[Oldschool]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:00pm

Re: Olivera

We all have our preferences....

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:08pm

Glad to see most of the DC cast making the move, as I have read fabulous things about them.

Interesting that some of the same people who complain about stunt casting are the same ones whining that there are no "big names" in this production.

This was my thought exactly.

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:28pm

Christiane Noll is one of my favorite musical theatre singers. It's so great that she's finally going to have a starring role. She's way overdue.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:32pm

Mother is not usually a starring role. Noll makes it one.

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:34pm

Well, it's the lead female role. That's enough for me.

[tapfrog]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:45pm

Boston theatregoers are well aware of Stephanie Umoh's talents as an undergrad working in professional shows. I am thrilled that she will have the chance to reprise her role as Sarah on Broadway. She was outstanding in the New Rep production and should be even better with more years/experience under her belt.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 6:00pm

I just watched Christiane's youtube clip of "Back to Before" and I am now in tears...similar to the tears that I got when I saw her sing it live at the Kennedy Center. She is giving a star turn as Mother and I hope she is recognized for it.

"Mother is not usually a starring role. Noll makes it one."

This statement is 100% true. I hope this is recorded just so Noll's Mother can be preserved on disc. Simply brilliant.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 6:21pm

Mother has ALWAYS been a starring role. The three leads are Coalhouse, Mother and Tateh. And Mother has the 11 o'clock number.

Marin Mazzie gave a star turn on Broadway. Rachel York gave a star turn at Paper Mill. Both are pure bliss singing Back to Before.

Sorry, but that video of Christiane Noll doesn't do it for me. She's over interpreting. I don't get the sense that she's discovering anything in the moment. She's also too modern.

Just sing the song.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 6:22pm

Wait, how is Mother not usually a starring role? It's the female lead. The shows events occur because of the actions of 3 characters: Mother, Coalhouse, and Tateh. I've always thought of Mother as one of the show's starring roles.

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 6:26pm

Me too, adamgreer. Apparently, we're wrong about that.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 6:27pm

I agree that Mother is a leading role. In all the productions I have seen, Mother has always gotten her share of applause at the end.

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 6:35pm

Being a big fan of Savannah and Eric Jordan Young I am officially excited to see this!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 7:16pm

Yes, Mother is the female lead (and I've seen Mazzie and York do it), but Noll makes the role a star-turn. Mother is noticed even more with Noll in the role.

[Oldschool]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 7:39pm

Lovesclassics, I've got to disagree, particularly with the notion that Noll is over interpreting. If anyone over interpreted it was Mazzie who labored ever last syllable. Furthermore, the character is one in transition not static, so I don't buy the argument about her being too modern -- she's not over singing, she's just not as staid in her presentation as Mazzie. By the time Mother gets to this point in the show she's all in -- she no longer is willing to settle for a supporting role but wants an equal one. I'll argue that Mazzie sings the song as if she's at the top of the show, rather than where the character is when its time to sing it.

The song is the exhumation of everything that has been building up. It's her realization that she really has changed. Its like making the phone call where you break up with someone, but the realization of the emotional baggage comes flowing after you hang up the phone.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 7:59pm

Count me in as another who saw the Kennedy Center production more than once. As for the whining about the cast from some people, I would rather have so-called "no names" who have proven themselves in the roles and in theatre in general than whoever is deemed to be stars and/or popular. As a long-time Noll fan, it is nice to have her back on Broadway where she belongs both as an actress and a singer.

Oldschool- I have no idea how you can possibly say you do not care for Olivera when she had all of 2 minutes of stage time in actual roles in this show. It is not a lot to go on to make such a statement. In any case, good for Olivera for making the cut. I've watched her for years in DC regional theatre. To each his own, but it was an odd statement.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 8:26pm

Looking forward to seeing this in Feb.

I love me some Ragtime.