Lincoln Center Theater to Revive RAGTIME at the Vivian Beaumont, Fall 2025 — Page 5

I thought Cassie Levy at Encores came across as a little too bohemian for Mother. The journey of that character has to be that she starts in a place of extreme conservatism.  She did indeed also sing the score (IMO) with a little too much of a pop feeling to it.

Yeah, she is so boring in everything I've seen her in, especially Caroline or Change. I guess that's why everyone around me was asleep for that one. 

I thought Levy acted the role well, there was a warmth and kindness to her especially in scenes with the Little Boy and with Younger Brother that were lovely. Vocally, it was not the best fit but she has great technique and maneuvered it well (aside from Goodbye My Love which I think is just placed too high for her), and delivered a wonderful Back to Before. She would not be my first choice for Mother in a Broadway revival (Kate Baldwin, please!) but she was not my biggest problem with the principal cast at City Center (Colin Donnell and Nichelle Williams were).

I think Cassie Levy is a fine performer, but not for this role. I really do wish it was Kate Baldwin. But alas.

Kad said: "I think Cassie Levy is a fine performer, but not for this role. I really do wish it was Kate Baldwin. But alas."

Im so confused by this--theres no right answer, of course, but I thought Caissie was warm, reserved and then properly unleashed when I saw her at City Center. Her Back to Before stopped the show, except then Josh Henry stopped the show and beat it to death a few minutes later so she was overshadowed. 

Anyway, she appears to be enjoying quite a revitalized career--smaller parts in Leopol and Caroline (in which she was notably excellent)-- and now leading two major revivals, as well as her involvement in the Lost Boys. Kudos to her.

All that said, its Henry and Uranowitz that blew me away, so this is welcome welcome news in any event.

If the show extends through the tony season, curious to see who they’d replace Caissie(there is an “i” after the a) with considering she’ll be busy with Lost Boys

I would have loved to see Katie Rose Clarke as Mother-but I'm happy for her that she is otherwise engaged!

Sutton Ross said: "Yeah,she is so boring in everything I've seen her in, especially Caroline or Change. I guess that's why everyone around me was asleep for that one."

 

Now I have to agree with you 100%!

I was in college when I first saw this and most of you did not have the chance to experience Marin Mazzie - NO WORDS! RIP

 

Updated On: 5/8/25 at 07:17 PM

inception said: "
More power to you all who love it. But I'd say see it early, because it won't last long."

It’s a limited nonprofit run of a very popular show, and in this case it’s essentially a transfer of an already acclaimed and successful production. It’ll be fine. 

CoffeeBreak said: "Do we think Sarah, Father, Brother, Evelyn etc. may be diffferent or is this a direct transfer, assuming schedules comply? A second round of casting comes out prior to on sale dates?"

Casting notice has all roles cast except Evelyn, Little Boy and Little Girl. Whether everyone else is the same from Encores or not is not confirmed, but I would guess most, if not all, are.

inception said: "Ooof, I'm probably a complete Philistine,but finally listening to OBC album for first time. I've never been a fan of Ahrens/Flaherty and this reminds me why - completely earnest & totally boring. I think come Tuesday I will pass on tickets.

More power to you all who love it. But I'd say see it early, because it won't last long."

I know exactly what you are saying and I accept every other criticism of the score such as too many power ballads etc. as  true intellectually, but somehow I still find the melodies very unique and beautiful (e.g. especially Your Daddy's Son, Wheels of a Dream, Till We Reach That Day, Back to Before, Make Them Hear You), the harmonies in some of the big choral numbers are quite moving, and some very important OBC performances that all could win Tonys in the right year (Marin, Audra, Brian Stokes). I don't really enjoy much of Ahrens/Flaherty either (don't even get me started on how boring much of the score for Anastasia is) but I think Ragtime is well worth the investment to try and get to know....

There are many reasons why someone might not transfer with a show. Money, the size of the role, other jobs, creative differences, health/family/pregnancy, etc. Evelyn is a pretty small part, has basically no chance of awards attention, and Styles works on TV a decent amount these days. Committing to a 2-week run at City Center is much different than committing to a 14-week Broadway run + 5-week rehearsal process.

Here's the EPA notice, which also confirms James Moore (music director) and Ellenore Scott (choreographer) are continuing on from City Center.

https://playbill.com/job/ragtime-nyc-epa-05-20-25/4273ef24-5f37-42e6-a98e-370b9bf0184f

Updated On: 5/9/25 at 01:29 PM