RAGTIME 2025 Reviews- Page 2

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 10/16/25 at 11:39pm

RW3 said: "JOSHUA HENRY, THAT TONY NOMINATION IS YOURS!"

Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced 

[smidge]

Posted: 10/16/25 at 11:47pm

BJR said: "Kad said: "I agree- and Hofler just seems to take it for granted that everybody feels the way he does. It’s a bizarrely mean-spirited review."

And not to be ageist, but him opening the review re-litigating who should've directed the 1975 film version - 50 years ago????? I mean, talk about coming in with preconceived notions...!"

Novel was released in 1975. Film version was 1981.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 12:00am

https://nypost.com/2025/10/16/entertainment/ragtime-review-broadway-revival-still-misses-but-has-sensational-singing"

"All that said, this revival of “Ragtime,” barely directed by Lear deBessonet, goes back to before in one extraordinary area: its stupendous cast."

THIS.

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 12:01am

DTLI Consensus: A vocally splendid cast — led by Joshua Henry in a career-best performance — is one of the main reasons to see this timely Ragtime that mostly hits the spot.

14 positive (including the NYT), 3 mixed, 1 negative.

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/ragtime/

Updated On: 10/17/25 at 12:01 AM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 12:08am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "RW3 said: "JOSHUA HENRY, THAT TONY NOMINATION IS YOURS!"

Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"


He will be remembered and win.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 3:33am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

The expression quoted above is one that is regularly used when a worthy performance existed in a long-gone production. Are you suggesting that this exuberantly praised show will not be running on Broadway come Tony time? That seems like an exceptionally far-fetched notion.

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 5:52am

Theater Pizzazz: Ragtime Meets the Moment in a Thrilling Revival
https://theaterpizzazz.com/ragtime-meets-the-moment-in-a-thrilling-revival/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNe7kVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEOFlOdlZHZjB0aE1IZ3RlAR64legeI6EUATjbCa5oTIWWUN_rU1FlmDzjLmbxqPpO_-agZmYbn9Ao4sGZhg_aem_WI9-WfE65hsSCuIM-srrvQ

Updated On: 10/17/25 at 05:52 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 6:52am

MemorableUserName said: "NYP

2 1/2 stars. Doesn't like the show ("Stripping away the excesses of Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally’s 1996 musical amplifies its many, many flaws."), praises the cast.

‘Ragtime’ review: Broadway revival still misses — but has sensational singing

https://nypost.com/2025/10/16/entertainment/ragtime-review-broadway-revival-still-misses-but-has-sensational-singing"

lmao. Of course the post didn't like it. 😆 too woke.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 7:09am

HogansHero said: "DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

The expression quoted above is one that is regularly used when a worthy performance existed in a long-gone production. Are you suggesting that this exuberantly praised show will not be running on Broadway come Tony time? That seems like an exceptionally far-fetched notion.

In fairness, the show is only currently running through January 4. I hope and expect that it will extend a la Merrily though

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 7:54am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "RW3 said: "JOSHUA HENRY, THAT TONY NOMINATION IS YOURS!"

Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

I'd expect Ragtime to extend into June. Levy gets replaced. It's selling very well and now these near rave reviews. Also, LCT doesn't have the Beaumont booked for the Spring solely for the purpose of possibly extending Ragtime.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 8:30am

ACL2006 said: "DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "RW3 said: "JOSHUA HENRY, THAT TONY NOMINATION IS YOURS!"

Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

I'd expect Ragtime to extend into June. Levy gets replaced. It's selling very well and now these near rave reviews. Also, LCT doesn't have the Beaumont booked for the Spring solely for the purpose of possibly extending Ragtime."

If it extends, then that would give the show a stronger fighting chance to win Best Musical Revival.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 8:53am

It's interesting how, similar to some comments about Into the Woods, Lear isn't getting credit for shaping the cast's performances.  While I have yet to see Ragtime at LCT, what struck me at City Center was the care and meaning behind every word and every character - which is very much how I felt about Into the Woods.  To me, this is more important in a successful production than the visual bells and whistles folks often associate with "directing."

[KrupYou]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 10:58am

CRITICS PIX......congrats

[Kad]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 11:06am

kidmanboy said: "It's interesting how, similar to some comments about Into the Woods, Lear isn't getting credit for shaping the cast's performances. While I have yet to see Ragtime at LCT, what struck me at City Center was the care and meaning behind every word and every character - which is very much how I felt about Into the Woods. To me, this is more important in a successful production than the visual bells and whistles folks often associate with "directing.""

Lear is often the recipient of a lot of criticism about a lack of competence, which I think is unfair (and, frankly, in line with consistent criticism of other contemporary female directors like Rachel Chavkin and Whitney White). It’s not like she just tosses the keys to the theater to a bunch of performers and designers and walks away. She certainly has ups and downs in her career, like any director, but I think she has had a very clear and consistent directorial vision over her career. 

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 11:55am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "RW3 said: "JOSHUA HENRY, THAT TONY NOMINATION IS YOURS!"

Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

I predict nominations for the three principles as well as for Nichelle Lewis and Ben Levi Ross.

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 12:52pm

https://nypost.com/2025/10/16/entertainment/ragtime-review-broadway-revival-still-misses-but-has-sensational-singing"

"All that said, this revival of “Ragtime,” barely directed by Lear deBessonet, goes back to before in one extraordinary area: its stupendous cast."

Olesinski (as usual) says a few glaringly wrong (and pretty stupid) things in his review, such as this little nugget:

"Playing her brother, a politically driven explosives expert, Ross is grounded, real and forceful as he defies his antiquated dad." 

So he thinks Younger Brother is both Mother's brother AND Father's son?  Are we in Chinatown?  

No wonder he thinks the plot is "too complicated"!

 

Updated On: 10/17/25 at 12:52 PM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 12:57pm

HogansHero said: "DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

The expression quoted above is one that is regularly used when a worthy performance existed in a long-gone production. Are you suggesting that this exuberantly praised show will not be running on Broadway come Tony time? That seems like an exceptionally far-fetched notion.

"

I guess that depends on how well it sells. The 2009 revival also had great reviews, but then ran for only 65 regular performances. This is currently a limited run, playing through the holiday season, in a theatre with a heavy subscription based audience.

Is it really a far-fetched notion to consider the possibility that the exuberantly praised musical, with a cast of around 40, may not still be running come awards season? By January, those who subscribe will have already seen it, then it's entirely up to regular Broadway audiences to traipse their way to to the Beaumont during the winter to keep the show alfoat in those lean months. When you consider that the last very well recieved revival of this show opened during those lean months (Jan. 10) and couldn't last through awards season. I'd say the comment isn't that far-fetched at all. There is also the possibility of those looming strikes to consider.

I love the show, and I hope this run has a long and healthy life with multiple extensions, but I know that, at this point,  it's not really far-fetched to expect it to only play out it's limited run engagement, and mocking others for that suggestion hardly seems reasonable.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 3:12pm

The last revival never had a chance.  It opened in the worst economic downturn since the great depression, in winter, with no names.  I can't prove it with actual facts off the top of my head, but I seem to remember that a lot of shows were hit by that downturn and were forced to close.

I think it is a valid concern that the combination of theatre location and the dog days of winter present a real challenge.  If in fact it does have a huge cast and orchestra-- I don't see it until next week -- that means that it is very expensive to run in a theatre that only has a little over a thousand seats; and, non-profit or not, if it starts hemorrhaging money, it'll close.  But, hopefully, it won't come to that.

On a positive note, maybe this time it will really thrive beyond the holidays.  If in fact there are very few new musicals opening in the spring (and one of them is Schmigadoon), maybe that will translate into more demand for a show a lot of people have heard of,,but have never seen.

[inception]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 5:36pm

Umm...for people who live on the Upper West Side, isn't Lincoln Center easier ​​​to get to than Times Square? And is it really that much harder to get to from the East Side, Brooklyn or Queens, or coming over from New Jersey?

Last year I flew into Newark and was staying in the UWS & it wasn't difficult to get to my hotel.

I dunno, I travel an hour each way on the train from the burbs to Downtown Vancouver everyday.  Our transit system is rated number 2 in North America after NYC, so I don't understand when ppl who live there complain about traveling in your city.  It always seems so easy.

Also if there is a strike, wouldn't that be in their favour since it wouldn't effect Lincoln Center?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 6:01pm

TotallyEffed said: "DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "RW3 said: "JOSHUA HENRY, THAT TONY NOMINATION IS YOURS!"

Let’s hope he’s remembered by the time the Tony noms are announced"

He will be remembered and win."

He will still have to beat, at leas,t Kris Kollins in PURPLE RAIN - but it's possible.  Too early to tell.  Definitely Mr. Henry's best work and fit to date.

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 6:04pm

kidmanboy said: "It's interesting how, similar to some comments about Into the Woods, Lear isn't getting credit for shaping the cast's performances. While I have yet to see Ragtime at LCT, what struck me at City Center was the care and meaning behind every word and every character - which is very much how I felt about Into the Woods. To me, this is more important in a successful production than the visual bells and whistles folks often associate with "directing.""

Oooo.  Disagree.  Her staging, for one, even if a concert (or concert turned LCT show) is very bland and uncreative.  She gets to cast well because actors want to work these venues and shows but no.

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 11:09pm

As someone who’s worked with her on a production for the entirety from pre-production to opening night, I’ll say she is excellent at casting and managing a rehearsal room for a large-scale production and cast. She also is great at utilizing her pre-pro time with the creative team (choreographer, associates, assistants, SDCF observerships, and interns) to workshop the entire show and staging to notate in Stage-Write with non-EQ actors and dancers and college students prior to the start of rehearsal. 

 

I’m not sure how she works with actors individually and the table work/notes given to an actor individually…. but from my experience,  her work is best at creating stage pictures, with some ambitious ideas and creative imagery; and using her team to create what gets put on stage… while utilizing the talents and strengths of those around her. 

 

But I give her so much credit for being an awe-inspiring hustler. Her ability to come to NYC and work her way up to running three huge New York institutions (PublicWorks, New York City Center and Encore’s, LCT) deserves mad respect. To get to create an amazing initiative with PublicWorks at The Public at such a young age without the degrees and years of experience directing and working her way up to running these storied institutions deserves some mad respect…. And she’s terrifying. 

Updated On: 10/17/25 at 11:09 PM

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 11:25pm

Every director has strengths and weaknesses. While Lear may not be the most inventive in terms of blocking, staging & stage pictures, I think the fact that this (to be fair, I haven't seen Ragtime yet but going on what I have read) and Into the Woods (which I did see with the original revival cast) have had such exceptional performances from the cast is no fluke. We have seen star-studded things underwhelm or even fall apart many times. She deserves credit for the cast being as good as it is when put together.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 11:30pm

inception said: "Umm...for people who live on the Upper West Side, isn't Lincoln Centereasier​​​to get to than Times Square? And is it really that much harder to get to from the East Side,Brooklyn or Queens,or coming over from New Jersey?

Last year I flew into Newark and was staying in the UWS & it wasn't difficult to get to my hotel.

I dunno, I travel an hour each way on the train from the burbs to Downtown Vancouver everyday. Our transit system is rated number 2 in NorthAmericaafter NYC, so I don't understand when ppl who live there complain about traveling in your city. It always seems so easy.

Also ifthere is a strike, wouldn't that be in their favour since it wouldn't effect Lincoln Center?"

I know that sounds ridiculous, but I know a lot of people in NJ who really hate to go to Lincoln Center compared to Broadway.  They cite the fact that, for most Broadway theatres, they can walk to the Port Authority, GCT and Penn Station after the show, not having to deal with the subway or trying to get a cab. I don't know how significant that it, as a segment of the ticket buying audience, but I really do know people who never went to see South Pacific or TKAI or MFL because they didn't want to go to Lincoln Center.  They also never attend off-Broadway theatres that are not in mid-town.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/17/25 at 11:38pm

Of course it’s just a preference, but I now come in from Philly (Go Birds 🦅!) and it really doesn’t make a difference to me.  I did a half-day last weekend  to see the Kentridge piece at Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn (great venue and amazing piece, btw), and thought nothing of it. I’m relatively younger, I suspect, than the groups you’re citing and also have no issue taking the train, which I did to and fro. 

I’m also a member at the Met Opera, so going to Lincoln Center is nothing for me. It’s maybe my favorite part of the City…except for the dearth of good restaurants, of course 🙄

Updated On: 10/17/25 at 11:38 PM