RAGTIME 2025 Previews

It was the music of something beginning…

On the wheels of a dream (and a highly praised production at Encores! last year), a second Broadway revival of Ragtime takes shape at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Leading the cast of the historical epic are Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz, with featured turns from Colin Donnell, Nichelle Lewis, Ben Levi Ross, Shaina Taub, Anna Grace Barlow, John Clay III, and Rodd Cyrus. Ragtime features a bombastic score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, with a book by Terrence McNally; this production features choreography by Ellenore Scott with direction from Lear deBessonet. Previews begin tomorrow (September 26) before an October 16 opening; it will run through January 4.

“Ragtime is a sweeping musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel that follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th century: Black pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and his beloved Sarah, Jewish immigrant Tateh and his little girl, and a wealthy white family led by matriarch Mother. All grasping for the same dream, if only they can hold on to it.”

Who’s excited?!

Is he required to conduct this score?

The Bandstand said: "Is he required to conduct this score?"

What????

My best friend and I have center orchestra seats for late October and I’m counting the days! I’ve been pleading for this show to be revived for years and there couldn’t be a more perfect time for it or a more perfect cast. It will be my first performance at any Lincoln Center venue as well! 

FYI, they're not offering rush tickets this weekend per the box office. But I'm planning to try next weekend.

ACL2006 said: "FYI, they're not offering rush tickets this weekend per the box office. But I'm planning to try next weekend."

 

Alll 3 performances sold out this weekend

EDSOSLO858 said: "As discussed before, this revival will feature a 28-piece orchestra, making it the largest band on Broadway at the moment."

This prompted me down an IBDB rabbit hole. Does WICKED still have 23 + conductor, same as when it opened? If so, that's the next-largest orchestra on Broadway, followed by a few shows in the 18-20 range (Aladdin, Lion King, DBH, Great Gatsby).

MERCH

Was talking about Wicked

Dying for reports.

She’s not much of a director and has often had artistic help from ghost “artistic” types.  Usually a director or stager on top of a choreographer.   She is more of a managerial director.  This tracks

Updated On: 9/26/25 at 10:51 PM

I cannot assess Lear deBessonnet’s other work, but I thought her handling of Into The Woods was fine. She had an excellent cast, from start to the end of the tour, but she was smart enough to let them shine. Unlike Thomas Kail with Sweeney Todd, she trusted the material and made it work.

I don’t know how she will do with Ragtime, of course. And I won’t know unless it extends.

 

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "As discussed before, this revival will feature a 28-piece orchestra, making it the largest band on Broadway at the moment."

This prompted me down an IBDB rabbit hole. Does WICKED still have 23 + conductor, same as when it opened? If so, that's the next-largest orchestra on Broadway, followed by a few shows in the 18-20 range (Aladdin, Lion King, DBH, Great Gatsby)."

The Lion King also has 23 + conductor. A great resource for current Broadway orchestras is broadwaymusicians.com.