City Center's 24-25 Season: Ragtime, Urinetown, LaChiusa's Wild Party, Love Life- Page 12

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/5/24 at 11:00pm

TheatreMonkey said: "
"What A Game" perfectly encapsulates the pastimes, attitudes, and ethnic prejudices of the time."Girl On The Swing/Crime of the Century" provides the sense of time and place in America's development in popular culture and law -- not to mention the need and desire for frivolity during an explosive time, to try and reconcile it. And"Success"shows the push back against the rising changes in the time.

Show pieces, sure. But needed to fully grasp the time and place of the action."

I like how you point that out--and yeah, without those pieces showing how "America" (or mostly New York anyway) was changing, you really do lose that context.  I critics of the show dislike what they feel is kinda the pageant aspect of it--but it's embedded and important to the work.

 

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/6/24 at 9:17pm

Intermission: lines that I don’t think normally get applause but did tonight: “this country needs a swift kick in the pants” “this is not the America we came here for”

 

New music is probably one of the best theatrical sequences I’ve seen in a long time
 

Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis have the most gorgeous voices

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/6/24 at 9:41pm

I need this to transfer. My heart needs healing.

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/6/24 at 11:12pm

The resounding thought for me walking away from Ragtime is “what America will we show our children”

Go just to hear Make Them Hear You. Joshua Henry’s voice is just jaw dropping 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/6/24 at 11:33pm

“Suffs” this afternoon and “Ragtime” tonight. I’m mentally drained. This was a nearly perfect production of one of the greatest musicals ever written. A few highlights for me / 

I fall in love with Brandon Uranowitz a little more every single time I see him on stage and tonight was no different. He’s so amazing.

Ben Levi Ross is such a special talent and I feel we must protect him at all costs and cast him in at least two shows a season. 

Josh Henry was just so damn good. “Make Them Hear You” I knew would be special tonight and I was not proved wrong. So many faces on that stage just covered in tears (his included) while singing it. The only thing I’d change about his performance was his costume. His suit made him look like a used car salesman in 1972.

Can’t wait to go back this weekend  

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/6/24 at 11:57pm

Jordan Catalano said: "“Suffs” this afternoon and “Ragtime” tonight. I’m mentally drained. This was a nearly perfect production of one of the greatest musicals ever written. A few highlights for me /

I fall in love with Brandon Uranowitz a little more every single time I see him on stage and tonight was no different. He’s so amazing.

Ben Levi Ross is such a special talent and I feel we must protect him at all costs and cast him in at least two shows a season.

Josh Henry was just so damn good. “Make Them Hear You” I knew would be special tonight and I was not proved wrong.So many faces on that stage just covered in tears (his included) while singing it. The only thing I’d change about his performance was his costume. His suit made him look like a used car salesman in 1972.

Can’t wait to go back this weekend

"

Lucky you Jordan, how do you have time to see so many shows night after night... Are you retired or in the industry? I saw the original production back when in college and was blown away by Audra, Marin and Stokes and how grand the production was and that gorgeous score! Unfortunately, late to the game on this one as it's been sold-out but hopefully it will transfer as that seems to be what everyone is saying here. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 12:07am

lol it's VERY careful planning.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 3:53am

Saw the show tonight (Weds). 

 

 

Wow. Can't even begin to find the words to describe the beauty here. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 8:46am

Jordan Catalano said: "“
Can’t wait to go back this weekend
"

Same will be there Sat Mat and Sun Eve. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 9:03am

Jordan Catalano said: "“Suffs” this afternoon and “Ragtime” tonight. I’m mentally drained. This was a nearly perfect production of one of the greatest musicals ever written. A few highlights for me /

I fall in love with Brandon Uranowitz a little more every single time I see him on stage and tonight was no different. He’s so amazing.

Ben Levi Ross is such a special talent and I feel we must protect him at all costs and cast him in at least two shows a season.

Josh Henry was just so damn good. “Make Them Hear You” I knew would be special tonight and I was not proved wrong.So many faces on that stage just covered in tears (his included) while singing it. The only thing I’d change about his performance was his costume. His suit made him look like a used car salesman in 1972.

Can’t wait to go back this weekend

"

1. Suffs and Ragtime the day after a Trump win literally might send me into an asylum. Kudos to you. Im tearing up just thinking about it.

2. I hope it transfers and i hope both BU and BLR are Tony contenders. Perfect performances.

and what i really posted to comment on:

3. YES re Henry's costume! He looks misshapen in it, like he has a muscled torso but comically fat limbs? WE thought it was a prop of some sort, like bulky because there would be a later reveal? One of very few things I hope they fix if they move to Bway.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 9:26am

Yeah months ago we got the “Ragtime” and “Suffs” for that day because what an amazing way to celebrate…right? 
 

And thank you for saying that about the costume, also. Glad i wasn’t the only one who found it horrible. 

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 10:24am

I saw Ragtime fo the first time last night. I loved it. I have now listened to the soundtrack. That said why on earth did they change the last note to a pause and then a quiet note??? I know it is a little optimistic for how scared some of us may be regarding the America we are showing our children but during the pause last night someone started applauding and then there was laughter before the last note. On the soundtrack the ending is so majestic and brilliant. Maybe if there wasn't the laughter I'd say it differently but I do feel like if they did the original ending I wouldve been standing before the last note was complete. 

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 11:08am

I saw the show last weekend and I found that moment incredibly moving but the audience was silent during the pause. 

[broadway86]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 2:13pm

Seeing Ragtime last night was so cathartic and much needed. You could feel the palpable energy and fire in the audience, cheering at a bunch of lines that now resonate so differently. Multiple standing ovations. I really hope this transfers.

[seussical93]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 2:14pm

Was also there last night and WOW. Will definitely be one of the most memorable/moving theatre experiences of my life. They were hanging onto every word, and boy was it gorgeously but depressingly cathartic. Just emotionally grounded and stunning voices all around - everyone was on fire.

No clue how those actors got through everything without fully losing it, but that audience was so so thankful for their bravery and energy. My only gripe was how quickly the conductor would move on from applause after the biggies - but I guess we woulda been there another hour HA.

Get yourself over there for some gloriously performed and poignant musical theatre. I was an emotional wreck throughout most of the show, but it made me so thankful for theatre in general and the gift of sharing our emotions on such a grand scale. Brava to all <3

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 6:11pm

Well, the rest of the run is sold out, so there is no being able to covince anyone to see it now.

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 11:24pm

Possible spoiler question about Younger Brother: 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Is he into Coalhouse/in this production does it read that way? IMO it read that way

 

[Skip23]

Posted: 11/7/24 at 11:45pm

 

I was a bit underwhelmed after tonight's performance.  Mostly at the structure of the show itself.  But also with a few performances.  

 

You can't beat that original cast.  They brought such conviction to the roles and their voices were all stellar.  Not so in this cast.  And the Encores! bug-a-boo showed its ugly head again...that sound designer/tech should be shot.  

 

I felt that Coalhouse's story was so stereotyped and predictable.  Sure it probably could have happened.  But it just sort of plodded along tonight.  And Mitchell was such a passionate, charismatic performer and that certainly lifted the proceedings.  Henry has the voice, but not the magic.  

 

Same with Levy.  Marin Mazzie was perfection...all feminine warmth and charm (is that sexist?).  Levy was a bit more steely and her voice a bit grating.   And Lewis' Sarah sort of fades into the background.  I mean, who can compete with the memory of Audra.   Uranowitz was excellent as Tateh and Ben Levi Ross a fine Younger Brother.  Other supporting actors were also a bit underwhelming.  Again...that original cast!  

 

Nice that they did this.  But Broadway?  Maybe not.

 

 

[Huss417]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 1:29pm

Anytime I have the chance to revisit Ragtime I do. I enjoyed the City Center production yesterday but thought a couple of the staging decisions were off. But that’s just me. I just can’t seem to get Marin Mazzie out of my mind. She was perfection in the role and everything else she was in. Just a great performer taken from us way too soon.

I will be back tonight and looking forward to seeing it another time. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 1:50pm

Skip23 said: "

I was a bit underwhelmed after tonight's performance. Mostly at the structure of the show itself. But also with a few performances.



You can't beat that original cast. They brought such conviction to the roles and their voices were all stellar. Not so in this cast. And the Encores!bug-a-boo showed its ugly head again...that sound designer/tech should be shot.



I felt that Coalhouse's story was so stereotyped and predictable. Sure it probably could have happened. But it just sort of plodded along tonight. And Mitchell was such a passionate, charismatic performer and that certainly lifted the proceedings. Henry has the voice, but not the magic.



Same with Levy. Marin Mazzie was perfection...all feminine warmth and charm (is that sexist?). Levy was a bit more steely and her voice a bit grating. And Lewis' Sarah sort of fades into the background. I mean, who can compete with the memory of Audra. Uranowitz was excellent asTateh and Ben Levi Ross a fine Younger Brother. Other supporting actors were also a bit underwhelming. Again...that original cast!



Nice that they did this. But Broadway? Maybe not.



"

Most on this board did not have the opportunity to experience the perfection of the original production -  I did and how can you compare that cast especially Audra, Marin Mazzie and Stokes!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 1:52pm

Caissie, Shaina, and Nichelle's performances are growing on me. I'd say Donnell is the only one who really needs to be replaced (or needs a 5-week rehearsal period & better direction). It's a shame that Tiffany Mann doesn't have the low notes for TILL WE REACH, and that they didn't transpose for her, but she sounds great on the ending.

I don't have high expectations for this, but I would love to see a full re-design if it moves to Broadway (with or without the orchestra onstage). It can still be minimalist, it just has to be better than what's on display now.

A lot of the costumes are terribly unflattering. Perhaps they're rentals due to the time & budget limitations of NYCC.

David Rockwell and Linda Cho are two of the best designers working today. They should know better.

Updated On: 11/10/24 at 01:52 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 7:52pm

Saw it this afternoon. Wonderful, moving musical. I loved Joshua Henry the most, but also loved Caissie Levy. 

BUT ... this is one of those musicals that peters out in the second act. Was it always so, or is it just this cast?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 8:02pm

Felt the same way.  Henry, Uranowitz & Levy were our stand-outs.  Lewis' Sarah was okay, but we kept wondering how the magnificent Woods voice, more mature acting and strength would have enhanced this role, especially opposite the older Henry.

The 2nd act is the weaker of the two in Ragtime.  Unfortunately debessonet's direction of Act 2 at NYCity Center only helped to stagnate.  We kept wondering what a full production with (most of) this cast would be like under a stronger and more creative director,

It wasn't on par with the original Broadway cast, direction or production - but a serviceable staged Encores concert with a (mostly) strong cast.  Henry and cast make it a worth while night.

Updated On: 11/10/24 at 08:02 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 8:56pm

poisonivy2 said: "this is one of those musicals that peters out in the second act. Was it always so, or is it just this cast?"

It's an unbalanced show: Act 1 is overstuffed, and Act 2 has some filler. Act one feels like it's ending with New Music, then again after Wheels, and then finally after Till We Reach. In act two, you have an almost-consecutive 10 minutes of fluff between What A Game and Atlantic City. It lets the audience breathe, but drives the plot to a halt. (Buffalo Nickel is both a fun novelty number and a moment for the audience to cheer for Tateh.) Ahrens & Flaherty admit to writing Sarah Brown Eyes as an excuse to get Audra off the bench in act two, and some productions don't give the song more justification than that.

On top of that, the man set up as our noble hero in act 1 starts going on a rampage. It can be tough to root for someone fighting fire with fire. Tateh is also missing at the start of the act (deliberately). That puts a good chunk of runtime on the shoulders of the WASPs.

In this production, I didn't think the fireworks were big enough between Father & Younger Brother and Father & Mother's big act 2 book scenes, and Father is a deceptively tricky role. When everything builds off what comes before it, that means "He Wanted To Say" and "Back to Before" and the Morgan Library sequences don't land as effectively as they could have.

IMHO.

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 11/10/24 at 9:38pm

CoffeeBreak said: "...
It wasn't on par with the original Broadway cast, direction or production by any means - but a basic serviceable staged concert with a (mostly) strong cast."

You do realize that "staged concerts" are what Encores! does, right? Of course it won't have the same production values as a full-fledged show -- and the cast hasn't had the same amount of time to truly dig into their roles (yet). Though not surprised you didn't like deBessonet's direction...

Updated On: 11/10/24 at 09:38 PM