RAGTIME 2025 Reviews- Page 10

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/11/26 at 7:37am

Rentaholic2 said: "I don’t get some of the tepid reactions to Nichelle Lewis. Yes, she has a different style voice than Audra, but I didn’t think she was overpowered by Henry, and she performed the hell out of the role. Given how weak this year has been, I could honestly see at least 5 acting nominations."

I can see Lewis following a similar trajectory to Joy Woods (who coincidentally was originally cast as Sarah in the Encores! run) in Gypsy last year. This young breakout star in this juicy role who receives divisive reactions in this acclaimed revival, but still manages to make the cut for Best Featured Actress in a Musical based on the strength of the role itself.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 1/11/26 at 10:32am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Seeing it again now, it felt way creakier. 
Alot still works, and some of the design was lovely. But I guess what burst off the stage at City Center gets a bit swallowed up at Lincoln Center, and i was left cold(er)."

Not trying to invalidate your opinion at all - but I think this may just be a symptom of seeing the show multiple times and becoming more familiar with it. I remember seeing it for the first time in the 2009 revivial being blown away and thinking it was the perfect book of a musical - right up there with Gypsy and other classics. But then after seeing it at City Center and twice at Lincoln Center, it is a bit clunky and creaky. It's the same book as the first time I saw it but with repeated viewings I think you are able to analyze it more critically. I also don't think it gets swallowed at Lincoln Center because the venue is literally half the size. I thought it felt much more intimate, though i suppose that depends on where you are sitting. Just my opinion. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 1/11/26 at 3:07pm

FANtomFollies said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Seeing it again now, it felt way creakier.
Alot still works, and some of the design was lovely. But I guess what burst off the stage at City Center gets a bit swallowed up at Lincoln Center, and i was left cold(er)."

Not trying to invalidate your opinion at all - but I think this may just be a symptom of seeing the show multiple times and becoming more familiar with it. I remember seeing it for the first time in the 2009 revivial being blown away and thinking it was the perfect book of a musical - right up there with Gypsy and other classics. But then after seeing it at City Center and twice at Lincoln Center, it is a bit clunky and creaky. It's the same book as the first time I saw it but with repeated viewings I think you are able to analyze it more critically. I also don't think it gets swallowed at Lincoln Center because the venue is literally half the size. I thought it felt much more intimate, though i suppose that depends on where you are sitting. Just my opinion."

All opinions welcome. I saw the 2009 revival and was unimpressed; City Centers was a blast. But there is no question that without the spectacle/novelty of solid performances of the impressive score, the show itself is a mess. Its flaws were not as glaring to me, in 2024, for whatever reason. (Though yes, the venue is half the size of city center but the stage is not). But I am nothing but glad that others are enjoying this more, its certainly got its charms, and the cast is killing it without question.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/11/26 at 3:28pm

Yes.   Cast is strong - mainly Henry, Levy and Uranowitz.  Direction/production are average at best.