RAGTIME COMERCIAL! - Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 11:54am

Dagobert - Yes, but Doctrow also seemed to be trying to make a point about the continuum facing the problems of actually attaining that ideal for a more perfect union. It certainly was written with a tone of knowing demystification, unlike the tone of the musical, which gives the idea of 'America the melting pot' the visual of a happy ending with a new mixed family holding hands and walking off into the sunset, with the happy ghosts of those who've died watching on, relieved now that all the chaos has been 'settled'

The musical definitely removed a lot of the arch commentary of that ambiguous narrative voice of the original novel. Its a different animal so thats fine, but I do think that the flaws the musical does have are stemmed from trying to make the book fit a more conventional and patriotic ideal.

I don’t think this commercial knows what its trying to be.

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 12:12pm

The country's angry. Better not to associate with that.

I don't think the teabaggers would attend Ragtime unless it was rewritten with Willie Conklin as the hero.

But yeah, the ad's kind of a misfire.

[BwayBuff2]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 12:33pm

A.W.F.U.L.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 3:18pm

Did not like that. Badly executed. And I don't like when they don't use show footage either

[jpbran]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 3:42pm

When I try to watch it says "This video is private." Hmm...

[Scripps2]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 4:05pm

"The country's angry. Better not to associate with that."

But that is precisely one of the strong messages that Ragtime conveys: that great achievements are borne out of pain and strife. That there will be resistance, confrontation and discomfort on the route.

This isn't Hairspray.

The advert's execution may be weak (on the editing) but the conceptualisation is entirely appropriate.

[tazber]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 4:42pm

Just awful.

Embarrassingly bad.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 4:45pm

jpbran: It's on channel 3 of BWWTV, to the right.

[jpbran]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 5:13pm

SM2: Thanks!

But pretty bad... the mish-mash of network logos looks like a home-made fan video, as someone said earlier. They call it a viral video so it's probably/hopefully just mostly email 'til a real commercial is produced.

Lame.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 5:19pm

At least it's true to the story, what with the moon landing, Jackie Robinson and Ronald Reagan all playing such important roles in the show.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 5:49pm

The teabaggers aren't the only ones who are angry.

It's not necessary, and probably counterproductive, to invoke present-day politicians in order to get across the point that Ragtime is relevant and timeless.

Cardinal rule: stay away from politics and religion! You never know where people stand.

Edit: Of course, I meant in advertising, not in the show's subject matter. Updated On: 11/2/09 at 05:49 PM

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 11/2/09 at 6:40pm

loveclassics makes a FANTASTIC point.

Unless there is a necessary reason or purposeful urgency, and this is in extremely rare cases, you must must must stay away from both religion and politics in the marketing area of a Broadway musical. It's one of those "golden" rules.

Who's handling their publicity?? Yikes. Besides... this political angle wasn't really needed. I get what they're trying to do but it's not working - and they could have accomplished this same objective with a cultural or social approach; as opposed to a political approach.