RAGTIME 2025 Reviews — Page 13

It’s an odd situation for sure since LCT hasn’t had a revival that struck paydirt since THE KING AND I in 2015 and the economics of Broadway have changed A LOT since then. While they may be grossing a large sum of money, that show is definitely not cheap to run with a cast and orchestra of that size.

Awards wins will say a lot about the future of the show, but the brass ring that everyone is going for is Best Revival of a Musical, which (pending reviews) is likely in a dead heat with CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL. I do think the safest assertion is that, regardless of accolades, many of the principals likely won’t extend past August 2nd.

Anna Grace Barlow will play her final performance as Evelyn Nesbit on June 14th. Her replacement will be announced at a later date.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Anna-Grace-Barlow-Will-Depart-RAGTIME-in-June-20260325

Revisited the show again last night and while there are undeniably some incredible performances, I find the production itself less impressive each time and were it not for the work being done by the majority of those actors onstage, I do not think this would be doing the business it is.

Levy and Uranowitz have further deepened their performances and are just stunning from start to finish. Henry has broadened his scene work considerably, but the vocal performance and the gusto with which he delivers the songs is miraculous. Jason Forbach was on for Younger Brother and while the word "Younger" was certainly doing some heavy lifting in that role name, he gave an assured and nuanced performance akin to Bobby Steggert's pitch perfect one in the last revival. Nichelle Lewis in this role I will never understand, but the audience received her warmly and I understand I'm in the minority there.

The lack of vision or intent in the production is still glaring, DeBessonet's rather static staging -- how many times is the ensemble instructed to stand upstage choir concert style? -- does not work for me still.

And yet, I was still moved to tears just hearing this score and seeing this story unfold before me. It's nice to see a show I have always loved getting its flowers, although I have many quibbles with the production that brought it to this level.

getatme said: "Revisited the show again last night and while there are undeniably some incredible performances, I find the production itself less impressive each time and were it not for the work being done by the majority of those actors onstage, I do not think this would be doing the business it is.

Levy and Uranowitz have further deepened their performances and are just stunning from start to finish. Henry has broadened his scene work considerably, but the vocal performance and the gusto with which he delivers the songs is miraculous. Jason Forbach was on for Younger Brother and while the word "Younger" was certainly doing some heavy lifting in that role name, he gave an assured and nuanced performance akin to Bobby Steggert's pitch perfect one in the last revival. Nichelle Lewis in this role I will never understand, but the audience received her warmly and I understand I'm in the minority there.

The lack of vision or intent in the production is still glaring, DeBessonet's rather static staging -- how many times is the ensemble instructed to stand upstage choir concert style? -- does not work for me still.

And yet, I was still moved to tears just hearing this score and seeing this story unfold before me. It's nice to see a show I have always loved getting its flowers, although I have many quibbles with the production that brought it to this level."

This review is SPOT. ON. We also agree with Nichelle Lewis. The ROLE of Sarah is great. She's lovely but serviceable. She feels like Henry's daughter - not his love interest - and he eats her up vocally. It's just not there. Interested to see Forbach now. Steggert deserved his Tony nomination in that role. The Younger Brother now sings it well but there is something missing in the acting that Steggert had in spades.

The production is basic -- with Levy, Uranowitz and Henry doing the heavy lifting with strong work that elevates the basic & uncreative production. Debessonnet has been blessed to hand pick the Encores shows & casts (all big successful names) while going against the grain of the purpose of the series. It's no suprise those shows have been successful with the shows and casts being strong - it's her direction that has never been strong or inventive.

Updated On: 3/25/26 at 03:55 PM

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Video of the View and Whoopie Goldberg"

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Updated On: 3/26/26 at 03:07 PM

binau said: "
I don't think we can divorce the performances from the directing though. The director directs the performances in addition to staging the material. There seems to be an implicit assumption that were the director not there then the leads would have walked on stage and delivered the same performances as if all the choices they made was their own. I realise that this is often not the case."



in this rare case it is. those involved on stage (in this or her other shows), behind and in the orchestra would tell you differently.

Her only experience is in large community shows where she moves people around quickly to make a show happen. She heavily relies on good designers and actors to make her decisions.

WithoutATrace said: "Whoopi has dyslexia. She has spoken about it many times on The View. She often fumbles with celebrity names as she reads them on the teleprompter every week, however she always means well. And the way she praised the show was so great to hear. I can't wait to see it again soon!"

I did not know that. Thank you for your thoughtful reply!

Updated On: 3/28/26 at 12:45 PM

WithoutATrace said: "Whoopi has dyslexia. She has spoken about it many times on The View. She often fumbles with celebrity names as she reads them on the teleprompter every week, however she always means well. And the way she praised the show was so great to hear. I can't wait to see it again soon!"

She also praised the first revival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA3MGKorZbg

He was on today and was lovely.

I got to thinking after the performance - is younger brother actually Mother’s son? Sort of in the way it’s understood that Winthrop is Marion’s son in The Music Man but he’s called her “younger brother”?

Mother has such affection for Sarah, an unwed mother, and is so protective of Sarah and her baby when Father criticizes them. It got me thinking that Mother experienced the same sort of thing before she met Father? Could also explain why Father and Younger Brother have such a tense relationship.

just some food for thought…