RAGTIME 2025 Previews- Page 4

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 6:12am

Marin and Audra left impossibly big shoes to fill. This is the first time I’ve seen and heard Nichelle singing and if that performance is any indication…I hope she is prepared for some tough reviews. Glad to hear that at least some people are enjoying Levy. Whether she’ll bring tears to my eyes like Marin did when she sang Back to Before remains to be seen. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:09am

inception said: "I never understood the shows that waited so long to do TV appearances."

Lord knows shows TRY to get TV appearances early on (or even before previews begin)!!!!! Those decisions are not made by the show. The press agent can push and pitch as many angles as they like, but it’s all up to the bookers and producers. It’s not like a show can simply buy a slot on a talkshow.

(These types of performances also don’t usually move the needle in a major way, but at this early stage in the run it can only help!)

[heybaby]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 8:48am

A very minor quibble/question, mostly re: timeline--

Does anyone else find it strange that, though Tateh has had enough time to begin a film career and make two movies when act two starts, Sarah and Coalhouse's child is somehow still an infant? Was I completely missing something?

Updated On: 10/2/25 at 08:48 AM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 11:34am

heybaby said: "Does anyone else find it strange that, though Tateh has had enough time to begin a film career and make two movies when act two starts, Sarah and Coalhouse's child is somehow still an infant? Was I completely missing something?"

I don't think you're missing anything. I think we're supposed to accept that Tateh has had a very, very fast rise to success. Maybe so fast that it's gone to his head a little, hence his surprise that Mother and her family don't recognize his "name." I don't know if it's really believable that he's gone from zero to two films in a matter of months, but maybe that was an easier thing to do in those very early days.

Apropos of the same scene, I noticed that Tateh uses the term "silent movie" at one point. That term, of course, is a retronym that would not have been used before the advent of talking pictures, just as no one in 1950 would refer to a "landline phone." (Please note that I'm not actually complaining; it works in context and is not in any way intrusive. I just thought it was an interesting thing to note.)

Updated On: 10/2/25 at 11:34 AM

[steven22]

Posted: 10/6/25 at 9:30am

I have a LincTix ticket for the matinee on Saturday 11/8. Is there anyone that would be open to swapping for another date? I am flexible for almost any other date.

[rachelfran]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 11:22am

RexInLights said: "I am sad to say that I found this production quite unmoving. The material is incredible. Ragtime has been of my absolute favorite musicals since I first saw it in 1998. There is some very good singing and strong performances on that stage. Henry sings the hell out of the score, and I found Uranowitz, Ross, and Lewis very good. That being said, this production is completely listless. There is no energy or connection on that stage. I’ve never foundDeBessonet to be a particularly good director, and that’s so clear here. The Beaumont is such a beautiful and unique space and it’s used so poorly. The blocking and transitions lag. The design choices, lighting, and project left me utterlyconfused as to their intent. I frankly found it all quite ugly.


For what it’s worth, the audience was rapturous. There were 2 mid-show standing ovations. I’m sure the cast album will be good. But as staged, this is an unfortunate miss."

 

I saw this post and thought oh no -- couldn't be .. Reviews from audiences on reddit are over the moon and my only experience with the show is from the OBC and it remains in my heart as a seminal piece of theater that moved me tremendously.  I've been so excited to see this and usually wait to win a lottery but couldn't wait for this and bought a single off the theatr app for last night's show. 

Like you, I was hardly moved.  I was waiting for the tears and they didn't not come. I teared up minimally twice.  It felt overall muted to me.  The music either too loud (but it's not) and the voices too low even when everyone is singing in unison. I guess that's what you called listless.  There was so little energy.  Only Joshua Henry had command of the stage and his singing and should likely win the Tony for this performance.  The audience around me was really feeling it though so I was wondering what is wrong with me.  There were ovations by many (1/2-3/4) of the crowd. Why am I not connecting to this? 

Your Daddy's Son by Sarah -- literally could not understand a single word of the song. I could tell she had passion in the song and I don't know if it was a microphone issue or music too loud issue or what.  She was much clearer on Wheels of a Dream and I think early messages saying that JH was drowning her out have been fixed.  

I talked to the person seated next to me who saw the 1st or 2nd preview and had similar issues to me but liked it better the second time.  I may see it again -- if I win a lottery ticket I definitely will because the score is great regardless.

I am sure that some of my feelings are based on current politics and time of my own life. My last visit to the show I was more of an innocent with more of my life ahead of me than behind. Oh, how life can really change your perspective on a show.

 

[Ptero2]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 1:24pm

Any thoughts on who could replace Caissie if they extend?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 1:26pm

#GetBetsyToRagtime

[Kad]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 2:51pm

Kate. Baldwin. 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 2:56pm

Dreamboy3 said: "Marin and Audra left impossibly big shoes to fill. This is the first time I’ve seen and heardNichelle singing and if that performance is any indication…I hope she is prepared for some tough reviews. Glad to hear that at least some people are enjoying Levy. Whether she’ll bring tears to my eyes like Marin did when she sang Back to Before remains to be seen."

It sounds to me like you have already made your mind up about these performances. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 2:59pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "#GetBetsyToRagtime"

Correct. Betsy Wolfe would be perfection. 

[okfromthetop]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 10:45pm

Kad said: "Kate. Baldwin."

She just sang "Back to Before" on Monday for the Ahrens and Flaherty gala....

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/8/25 at 10:59pm

kdogg36 said: " I don't know if it's really believable that he's gone from zero to two films in a matter of months, but maybe that was an easier thing to do in those very early days."

It absolutely was believable.  I think Ragtime ends up (epilogue speeches notwithstanding) in... 1906?  At the time silent films tended to be short, and if you look up the filmography of DW Griffith, for example, he was making between 14 and 46 (!) films each year before he slowed down in 1915 with Birth of a Nation and started making his epics.  But even then he often made 4-6 films a year.

 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 10/9/25 at 8:55am

Kad said: "Kate. Baldwin."

Let me just reiterate. KATE. BALDWIN. 
I am still thinking about her terrific show at 54 Below this year and wish she had released it as an album.  

[Kad]

Posted: 10/9/25 at 9:04am

okfromthetop said: "Kad said: "Kate. Baldwin."

She just sang "Back to Before" on Monday for the Ahrens and Flaherty gala...."

She also did it at the Leading Ladies of Broadway concert back in April and absolutely brought down the house. She’s been phenomenal for years but has been one of those performers that has never really broken out the way they deserve. 

Updated On: 10/9/25 at 09:04 AM

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 10/9/25 at 10:57pm

Just got an email that Josh Henry will not be performing on 11/2, which is a little frustrating since we bought the tickets back in May. 

[Sauja]

Posted: 10/9/25 at 11:16pm

Having seen the original production and the revival each multiple times, and having seen this cast at City Center, I was beyond thrilled with what I saw tonight. Joshua Henry is extraordinary. Cassie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz are wonderful. And Nichelle Lewis found a whole new level that she hadn’t yet achieved at Encores. Hosannas as well to Shaina Taub and Ben Levi Ross. This cast is on fire. 
 

While I would love to see a more fleshed out staging, I found every performance faultless. And oh, were there tears. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 10/11/25 at 8:43pm

This was my first production of Ragtime and I thought it was a total triumph. The story is so absorbing that the lack of scenery didn't bother me at all. There's still brilliant stagecraft like the opening elevator trick. 

At today's matinee there was a partial standing O for Wheels of a Dream and sustained applause for Back to Before and Let Them Hear You, all richly deserved.

Wow to the entire company, though the main trio is fantastic and my favorites in the supporting cast were Shaina Taub and Tom Nelis

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/11/25 at 9:13pm

As of yesterday…

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPpcn7YAGHB/?igsh=b2dlNGF1ZmE2dXFo

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/11/25 at 9:15pm

No notes.

[always bway]

Posted: 10/12/25 at 8:29am

Saw this last night and am reminded this is one of the most beautiful stories and scores in the musical theatre canon. Sure, nobody will ever forget Marin's take on the role nor will they forget the first time seeing this show, but LC version does a noble job of presenting the music and story with elegance and heart. We loved it. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/12/25 at 9:19am

TheQuibbler said: "Just got an email that Josh Henry will not be performing on 11/2, which is a little frustrating since we bought the tickets back in May."

curious who'll be on for him, Kent Overshown or John Clay?

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/16/25 at 11:33am

I'm sure that whatever I have to say has already been said.

When I saw this last year at City Center, I was blown away by the vocals and knew that if it came to Broadway Joshua Henry would win a Tony. But with the anxiety bubbling over the upcoming election, my heart felt a bit closed off. I didn't want to look at the horrors of this country's past too closely that week. I was white-knuckling my way through those months, terrified for what was to come and feeling little optimism. I felt run down and worn out.

Well, the American nightmare continued, as I expected it to.

You'd think I'd feel worse a year later seeing this show again with all the horrors we are currently living through. Minorities being targeted, immigrants being dehumanized and violently attacked, bigotry and fascism openly on the rise.

I was wrong. A deep well of emotions swelled up in me starting in the very first number, which brought to me to tears. The tears continued throughout the entire first act. The talent, the voices, and the passion on that stage moved me deeply. I can't imagine we will ever hear this score sung this well again. Joshua Henry's long, throaty plea to Sarah at the bottom of the stairs will be forever etched in my memory. Engrave his Tony now. He deserves it and he has earned it.

I do find Ragtime a bit Disneyesque i.e. cheesy, and I rarely listen to it. But damn, go see this production and just get lost in these performances, lost in the passion, and lost in the optimism.

 

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 10/16/25 at 12:06pm

Yes, Henry holding that "Sarah, come down to me" note is sublime

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/16/25 at 1:39pm