Now is Our Time, Ragtime: The Official Ragtime Love Thread — Page 5

I saw it last night, and it seemed pretty full. Anyways, not to hijack the thread, or call the show out, but I just wasn't that impressed. I liked the direction. I thought what she did was great, except for the Model T. If they're going to do Poor Theater techniques and whatnot, why then have a replica of a scaled down version of a Model T? Why not be more inventive with it? Other than that, I thought she did a great job. I loved the set and the way it worked, and the costumes were fine.

The show itself was kind of hit or miss. I think the book is terrible. The whole talking in the 3rd person is ridiculous especially when they refer to themselves as "Younger Brother" etc. The score was okay. One too many power ballads, but they were okay. I think I expected some of the "bigger" songs to be better than they were so I was a little let down, but I loved the girl who played Sarah.

The performances all lacked that spark to me with the exception of Sarah and Mother's Younger Brother. Coalhouse had a great voice, but he just didn't transform for me. And Mother's "Back to Before" didn't quite do it for me.

The funny thing about Ragtime for me: when I first left the theater...I liked it. Maybe even liked it a lot. But the more I thought about it and both the story and the produciton sunk in, the more I really fell in love with it.

Going back next week. Can't wait.

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DottieD'Luscia: I totally understand that and the source material. But I would think while that works for literature, it doesn't work for the stage. I'm not saying he needed to give them names, but don't make them refers to themselves as such. Plus, I don't think past tense drama really works for the stage. Like with Irena's Vow last season. It's that old saying of show me don't tell me.

Yeah. I mean, would I see it again? Totally. But I just thought it had its flaws. For once I actually wish they had taken more liberties with the source material. And there parts that were not needed. Like the Model-T number and the baseball number. But when the show worked, it worked. I loved Sarah's song about her son. It was so beautiful.

FYI, in case anyone missed them on GMA this morning, they didn't perform. It was only a two minute plug and showed them helping with the coat drive.

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Yeah, and Quentin taught Sam Champion how to do his two-step that he does in the opening number... :P

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And the Little Engine that could: Ragtime's grosses up 11%, seating up to 75.5% up from 64.5% with a gross of $540,830 up from 517,741 last week. Keep it going! Surprisingly, Finian's dropped from $603,814 down to $518,196 this week.

Quite right. They had a 4.5% increase in weekly gross. Still, every little bit helps.

Good to see SOME improvement

I believe everyone is below the title. Sorry.

Can we discuss a little bit the differences between the original production and this production? I didn't see the original, and knew most of the music before I saw this revival.

There are some definite differences, even between the cd and what they sing onstage. Most interesting to me is that they cut the first scene of the second act (the dream?) from this production. Does anyone know why? Did it not work in the original? Also, are there any other major changes between the two productions?

EDIT: Not sure if this has been discussed yet, but well, I haven't seen it.

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Updated On: 12/22/09 at 11:29 PM

just saw it tonight and loved it. I want to see it again