RAGTIME 2025 Reviews- Page 9

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 12/4/25 at 5:20pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "The full company performing "Prologue: Ragtime" on GMA this morning, pre-taped from the Beaumont:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/128105418"

They barely show the audience at all which is completely un-noteworthy unless you were at the taping. It appeared they hadn't come up with a plan ahead of time of where to seat the audience and a good chunk of time was spent reseating people. Including for shots that weren't used.     

[The Rural Juror]

Posted: 12/8/25 at 12:26pm

Saw this on Saturday night. I found the production incredibly moving from the very first moments. The energy on stage is absolutely electric, in no small part due to the incredible cast. It's such a privilege to see a collection of Broadway stars at the top of their craft doing such fantastic work. 

Joshua Henry is getting most of the attention, and deservedly so. His voice is just insane in the room. There were moments where I felt like they may have cut his mic as his voice filled the room adequately on it's own. I know Caissie Levy has gotten some criticisms here, but I was so invested in her portrayal of Mother. Such a lived in and compelling performance of the character. Brandon Uranowitz was incredible and endlessly likable. I wasn't ready for how different I was going to find Ben Levi Ross' as Younger Brother, but I haven't stopped thinking about many of his choices, in a good way. 

The show is long, but I personally felt like I didn't want it to end. I cannot imagine anything as entertaining and moving as what's going on at the Vivian Beaumont right now. It could have been five hours and I wouldn't have minded. 

There are issues with the book (as there have always been) that I'm probably just used to so wasn't bothered by. The only big issue I had was the staging of "Wheels of a Dream." The stage was just too bare for me. Henry and Lewis are selling the **** out of that number, but I really needed the titular car on that stage with them. It would have made the car's destruction a few scenes later more impactful. 

[binau]

Posted: 12/8/25 at 1:19pm

Does anyone know why in Feb and March there are a few dates without a Saturday matinee?

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:30am

Julie Benko will play Emma Goldman during Shaina Taub's leave of absence.

"In addition, Ellie May Sennett will take over the role of ‘The Little Girl’ beginning January 6, which she has been understudying, with Aerina DeBoer joining the company as the understudy for the role. Paul Slade Smith will join the company as ‘Grandfather’ from January 13 through February 8, with Tom Nelis who originated the role returning on February 10.

Beginning February 4th, Tim Semon will take over as Production Stage Manager."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Julie-Benko-Will-Join-the-Cast-of-RAGTIME-in-January-20251210

[CJRochester]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:30am

Julie Benko is a great choice!

Updated On: 12/10/25 at 09:30 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:31am

CJRochester said: "Julie Benko will join the cast in January, playing Emma Goldman. Shaina Taub will take a two month leave of absence. Great casting!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Julie-Benko-Will-Join-the-Cast-of-RAGTIME-in-January-20251210"

 

Isn't Benko a little too young for the role?

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:39am

ACL2006 said: "CJRochester said: "Julie Benko will join the cast in January, playing Emma Goldman. Shaina Taub will take a two month leave of absence. Great casting!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Julie-Benko-Will-Join-the-Cast-of-RAGTIME-in-January-20251210"



Isn't Benko a little too young for the role?"

Emma Goldman would have been mostly late 30's in the years that Ragtime takes place. Julie is 36 so her age is fine, it's just that she reads SO much younger than that. I feel like Emma needs some gravitas that Julie doesn't have, and actually Shaina needed some more as well, for my money. That said, I'm sure she'll do a great job and it does fit into this production's version of Emma.

[musikman]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:40am

ACL2006 said: "CJRochester said: "Julie Benko will join the cast in January, playing Emma Goldman. Shaina Taub will take a two month leave of absence. Great casting!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Julie-Benko-Will-Join-the-Cast-of-RAGTIME-in-January-20251210"

 

Emma Goldman was 37 in 1906.  Julie Benko is 36.  I’d say that’s pretty spot on!



Isn't Benko a little too young for the role?"

 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:49am

Taub is also 37. 

[CJRochester]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 9:53am

ACL2006 said: "Isn't Benko a little too young for the role?"

Actually I thought Shaina Taub seemed a little too young when I saw this last month. Her face looked pale and pretty, and she had a sweet, hi-pitched voice. Other Emmas I've seen look more weather-beaten and have a more gravelly voice. 

 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 10:05am

CJRochester said: "ACL2006 said: "Isn't Benko a little too young for the role?"

Actually I thought Shaina Taubseemed a little too youngwhen I saw this last month. Her face looked pale and pretty, and she had a sweet, hi-pitched voice. Other Emmas I've seen look more weather-beaten and have a more gravelly voice.

"

Exactly. Julie Benko could really play Evelyn Nesbitt or Mother. I wish the casting for Emma was more distinctive. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 10:05am

This is very good casting. 

Didn't Benko play a similar Goldman-esque firebrand on stage in HARMONY?

Also, don't sleep on Paul Slade Smith. He was a very good Frohman / Hook when I saw him in FINDING NEVERLAND.

[malcs98]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 10:24am

EDSOSLO858 said: "This is very good casting.

Didn't Benko play a similar Goldman-esque firebrand on stage in HARMONY?

Also, don't sleep on Paul Slade Smith. He was a very good Frohman / Hook when I saw him in FINDING NEVERLAND."

She did. And as somebody who saw her both in Funny Girl AND in Harmony, she was fantastic. This is perfect casting and I cannot wait to see what she brings to the role. 

[inception]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 12:32pm

CJRochester said: "
Actually I thought Shaina Taubseemed a little too youngwhen I saw this last month. Her face looked pale and pretty, and she had a sweet, hi-pitched voice. Other Emmas I've seen look more weather-beaten and have a more gravelly voice.
 

I think that sort of casting might have been influenced by Warren Beatty casting Maureen Stapleton as Goldman in his film Reds.

 

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 1:04pm

inception said: "CJRochester said: "
Actually I thought Shaina Taubseemed a little too youngwhen I saw this last month. Her face looked pale and pretty, and she had a sweet, hi-pitched voice. Other Emmas I've seen look more weather-beaten and have a more gravelly voice.


I think that sort of casting might have been influenced by Warren Beatty casting Maureen Stapleton as Goldman in his film Reds.

I think that sort of casting is more influenced by how Goldman actually looked.  Google pictures of her....a sweet lil Julie Benko-type she was not.  But I'm totally here for the casting and excited I get to see Julie when I finally see this in January.  
"

 

[inception]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 4:54pm

Here's a photo of her from PBS's American Experience site:

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 5:35pm

The Rural Juror said: "Saw this on Saturday night. I found the production incredibly moving from the very first moments. The energy on stage is absolutely electric, in no small part due to the incredible cast. It's such a privilege to see a collection of Broadway stars at the top of their craft doing such fantastic work.

Joshua Henry is getting most of the attention, and deservedly so. His voice is just insane in the room. There were moments where I felt like they may have cut his mic as his voice filled the room adequately on it's own. I know Caissie Levy has gotten some criticisms here, but I was so invested in her portrayal of Mother. Such a lived in and compelling performance of the character. Brandon Uranowitz was incredible and endlessly likable. I wasn't ready for how different I was going to findBen Levi Ross' as Younger Brother, but I haven't stopped thinking about many of his choices, in a good way.

The show is long, but I personally felt like I didn't want it to end. I cannot imagine anything as entertaining and moving as what's going on at the Vivian Beaumont right now. It could have been five hours and I wouldn't have minded.

There are issues with the book (as there have always been) that I'm probably just used to so wasn't bothered by. The only big issue I hadwas the staging of "Wheels of a Dream." The stage was just too bare for me. Henry and Lewis are selling the **** out of that number, but I really needed the titular car on that stage with them. It would have made the car's destruction a few scenes later more impactful."

Yes agree about the car.   The direction just isn't strong and there is a real lack of creativity there.   The cast, full orchestra and "Sweeney Todd" reveal of the cast help.  Just wished we could have gotten a better direction on this great show and fantastic cast.  (We also would have replaced Lewis - who is fine but could be better in different hands).

[ELP]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 6:49pm

“Yes agree about the car. The direction just isn't strong and there is a real lack of creativity there. The cast, full orchestra and "Sweeney Todd" reveal of the cast help. Just wished we could have gotten a better direction on this great show and fantastic cast. (We also would have replaced Lewis - who is fine but could be better in different hands)."

If I may, who’s “we”?