RAGTIME 2025 Reviews — Page 2

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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

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.

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.

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.