"He Wanted to Say" from Ragtime

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 3:41pm

I've read that this song is often cut, which seems really unfortunate to me, since I find it to be one of the most powerful songs in the show. Is there a particular reason for this? It seems pretty controversial, but you lose so much of Younger Brother's character arc without it.

I'm also curious about which version of the song people prefer. Personally, I prefer the bridge from the Toronto concept album to the OBC version, although the tie-in to "Journey On" in the OBC is pretty brilliant.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 4:07pm

<-- Having played the role, I agree that the song is necessary for his character, and should be left in. And I prefer the Broadway version.

With the song cut, the scene plays with the dialogue as-written, then with the handshake, cuts to, "Two men meeting..." (the Journey On reprise). The only argument I've heard in favor of cutting it is that some feel the song is power-ballad-heavy, and the song stalls the momentum of the show.

I disagree. :)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 4:14pm

I have always liked the song and feel that it is needed in the show to give balance to "Night that Goldman Spoke..." I believe one of the reasons they cut it is simply for time's sake. And as MYB has pointed out, there are a few too many 11:00 numbers in the show.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 5:24pm

I understand that , but WHY is it controversial? A bunch of the other songs have the N word in them, when "TMM" has none of that.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 6:01pm

The song was VERY powerful on stage, and it really puzzles me that anyone from the creative team would think of cutting it.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 6:04pm

I don't know, I've always thought that the terrorism aspect might be a little controversial -- it's dealt with elsewhere in the show, obviously, but not in such a... celebratory manner? Of course, the more logical explanation has to do with length/pacing, I just wasn't sure whether there was another reason. "He Wanted to Say" is such a brilliant way to convey what MYB is feeling and why he joins Coalhouse's gang, though.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 7:07pm

In all honesty, I think "The Night That Goldman Spoke..." and "He Wanted To Say" are two of the most perfectly-musicalized dramatic moments in musical theatre -- right up there with "Tonight" from WSS. Those two songs are what made me want to play the role, just for the chance to not only sing them, but ACT them as well.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 9:38pm

I happen to love "He Wanted to Say." I don't find it power-ballad-y. It's a shame it is cut often because theatrically and musically it's perfect.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:05pm

i think cutting the entire song is stupid.

I think cutting the bridge is a good idea.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:41pm

I was in the tour in which the song was first cut. It was cut for 2 reasons-First it kept the show under three hours. Having the curtain come down after 11 would ahve meant that the local IATSE crew members would have went into overtime. The Local promoters did not want to have to pay overtime so they requested a sub 3 hour run time.
"He wanted to Say" was cut because the second act was so Ballad heavy and they wanted to get the show moving along with the more uptempo Atlantic city numbers. Since there was already material that was written that was much shorter and provided the audience with the same information, it was the obvious choice.
That being said-when the show was cast, they went so far as having the women called back for Emma Goldman sing "He wanted to say". The first Emma Goldman didn't know the song was cut until the first rehearsal.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:46pm

They didn't cut the bridge -- the bridge is the only part that remains in the version where it's cut, it seems.

Heh, that must've been a pretty frustrating surprise for the actress who played Emma.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:54pm

Without getting into too many specifics-it was.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:57pm

Without "He Wanted to Say", you lose Younger Brother.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:00am

There still was a scene that explained Younger Brother getting hooked up with Coalhouse. But instead of a song, it was done with a short monologue by Emma Goldman. It still ended with "I know hoe to blow things up"

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:26am

I was in Ragtime in 2005 and the MTI script says that the cut is the "author’s preferred version". I wondered then and still do now how accurate that actually is...

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:29am

Yes, that is accurate-Ahrens and Flaherty were instrumental in the change. They were very hands on in the producition of this tour. The MTI books were made from our Stage Manager's Script. They were of the opinion that the second act was a little Ballad heavy and like the more streamlined version.

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:30am

I was in Ragtime in 2005 and the MTI script says that the cut is the "author’s preferred version". I wondered then and still do now how accurate that actually is...

Was it a suggested cut? Because I was in Ragtime in 2005 as well, and I know we had in my production cause I was a member of the gang.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:40am

you can use it, both versions are included, and we also performed the full song, it just said in the script that one was the original Broadway version and one was specifically the authors preferred version, and it was not listed as the tour version or anything like that. I guess by calling it "authors preferred" it would persuade more directors to leave it out without actually forcing them to.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:50am

It was interesting- we were going through a lot of markets that had gotten the show before and there was a press packet that included an interview done with the authors explaining the changes and why they thought that this was a stronger choice. Personnally I like the full version of the show, but I do understand their concerns with the show not needing another ballad in a second act that had 2 11 o'clock numbers (Back to Before and Make Them Hear You).
Nevertheless, in my opinion, by that time of the show the audience is invested enough in all of the characters for them to accept another ballad. I also think that the song, while slow, has a lighthearted payoff at the end. It is quite funny that they talk about all the things he wants to say and all he can say is "I know how to blow things up" It was a great use of a line of Dialogue to break some tension. I think they should have kept it in-But I did like getting back to the Hotel earlier :)

Updated On: 12/16/06 at 12:50 AM