Evolution of New Ragtime Poster Art

[kyle.]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 5:41pm

I am very grateful the Times did this. I LOVE stuff like this. So interesting.

I personally like the 3rd poster that they show the best. I love the center image with the woman, and would have loved to have seen it with production photos in the background.

What does everyone else think? Which is your favorite and why?
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/09/13/theater/20090913-ragtime-feature.html

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 5:52pm

I like the 5th image the best.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 5:58pm

I like 2, 3 and 6 the best. It's odd that they had those options available and went with one of the worst ideas for the final art.

[DrewBill]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 6:07pm

I really like the final poster art -- I find it a terrific blend of the old and modern, and a near perfect representation of an era of "change" that the show (and the novel) represents. And it's certainly better than a lot of other Broadway advertising graphics these days (I'm looking at you, Neil Simon Plays).

But I also find it very interesting that a number of the rejected ideas would have worked great as well.
Updated On: 9/13/09 at 06:07 PM

[Select a Member Name]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 6:46pm

I like the 5th one the best.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 6:49pm

I like the second slide the best. Simple and direct but nice to look at.

But the one they came up with in the end is really nice, IMO.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:21pm

#2 & #5 are the best. The one they picked is still the worst.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:24pm

I like the 6th one. It's similar to the one they have now, but it flows SO much better.

I also like 2 and 5.
Updated On: 9/13/09 at 07:24 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:33pm

I love the 3rd one. How original for a period piece. It probably doesn't suite the production as well as the one they have now, but I think it's really interesting and def. would have caught a few eyes.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 7:48pm

I like both of the flag ones.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:07pm

What a wonderful feature... I'm still a fan of the final decision, but I think any of those pieces are suitable. I love that this is one of the few Broadway posters I can think of that could stand on its own as a piece of art. I'm also glad to see a Broadway poster that is creative, as opposed to a headshot of whomever is starring in the show. I'm very excited to see this production.

Updated On: 9/13/09 at 08:07 PM

[snowskittle]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:38pm

5 is the best of the lot, but it still needs work. I really like the flag and Coalhouse in the blue.

But the logo at the bottom needs work.

Still, I think it's the best of the lot.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:50pm

I can't stand the OBC artwork, but the first flag one shown in that feature is my favorite. I love the simplicity, and that it uses the flag without being so obvious about it. I do really like the artwork they settled on, though.

Updated On: 9/14/09 at 08:50 PM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 8:58pm

I also think they picked one of the worst sketches for the artwork. personally, I think they should have gone with the first flag one. The one they picked just looks like something exploded.

[broadway122]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 9:04pm

2 and 5 are my favorites. But I like the final art as well.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 9:07pm

"The one they picked just looks like something exploded."

Like an era?

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 9:23pm

The 2nd one was the best. I think the final artwork is WAY too modern.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 10:35pm

Is it bad that I want to go while it's in previews so I can have a color playbill? Ha.

[roseaddams]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 10:49pm

I like the second and fifth ones.

The final art bugs me but I honestly can't figure out why.

[kyle.]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 11:06pm

If I knew nothing about the show, the current art wouldn't make me feel like I need to see the show. For whatever reason #3 grabs me and pulls me in.

I'm just happy this modern masterpiece is coming back to Broadway. May it have a long, long, long run!

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 11:29pm

#3 wins it for me.

[morosco]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 11:47pm

I like #5 the most.

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 11:58pm

Gaahh...New York Times, I love you. I live for features like this.

#3 is quite striking. I agree with the way Kyle put it--it's the artwork that most makes me feel like I really need to see this show.

But I do like the final product. The artwork on its own is terrific--elements like the Obama-era "HOPE" button among all the early-1900s paraphernalia instantly make a case for the show's relevance in 2009. The only thing bugging me is their treatment of the title...the "big-small-big" lettering looks a little too funky to me.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 11:58pm

The final one doesn't really flow and seems off-balance. It reminds me of the latest Time Out New York cover.

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 9/14/09 at 12:01am

The final one doesn't really flow and seems off-balance. It reminds me of the latest Time Out New York cover.

YES. That's what it reminded me of. I still like it.

(Incidentally, I think a nice shout-out to "Ragtime" was included in that cover art...?)

Updated On: 9/14/09 at 12:01 AM