RAGTIME Critic Performance

I re-visited Ragtime last evening, and from the plethora of notepads surrounding me, it was clearly the big night for critics. This is my third viewing of the show, and it just gets better and better. I have been shocked many times by the unpredictable critics, but I cannot imagine this production getting anything but a pile of RAVES. I am assuming Ben Brantley took this assignment? Anyone know? If that's the case, the last musical he reviewed was the horrific "Birdie". Bodes well for this stunning show.

I did a search but I couldn't find if the Times reviewed the show in DC, they usually send the same reviewer back.

Don't "assume" anything.

Beat me to it--yes, he was there.

He didn't like how overblown the original was. I think there's a good chance he'll like this one...

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The "source" material is IMO one of the best books I have ever read.

I meant the source material as in Doctrow's book AND (more so) the material itself. Sorry, I misworded it.

I did not know a producer can pick, who reviews their show?

They don't. Presumably the poster meant IF the producers had their choice, they'd rather have Isherwood, given Brantley's past review of the show.

Just out of interest how often does a reviewer go and see a show before writing the review?

I assume they are provided with one pair of comp tickets to one performance.

"Just out of interest how often does a reviewer go and see a show before writing the review?"

Wouldn't a critic also have to attend on press night, I guess without notepad.

I would of thought a critic would see a show several times, to get a more rounded review.

"I did not know a producer can pick, who reviews their show?

They don't. Presumably the poster meant IF the producers had their choice, they'd rather have Isherwood, given Brantley's past review of the show."

lol, I guess the producers would prefer Isherwood for the fact he gives good reviews, think he is glad to just go to a Broadway Theatre!

I saw Brantley at the performance of next to normal he reviewed, and he didn't have a notepad then, either. He spent intermission bellying up to the bar, not sitting in his seat consulting notes.

Yes, they used to come on Opening night and then they would run up the aisle during the curtain call, type up their review and get it to the presses ASAP, yes, type on a typewriter.

Curtain, then how could someone start a review thread 24 hours in advance if reviews weren't printed until after opening night?! What else was there to do with your time if you couldn't post that the Mercer County Weekly Gazette was mixed-to-positive?

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Very famously in the late 1960's Stanley Kauffman reviewing for the Times asked to be allowed to cover the final preview so he could put more thought into the review.

David Merrick didn't like this and refused to issue comps, so the NY Times bought Kauffmann a ticket. (I believe the play was PHILADELPHIA HERE I COME but I am not at home to check the Best Plays book...I may correct this line later.) Anyhow, Kauffman arrived at the theatre and there was a sign up saying that the performance had been cancelled and people could get refunds or exchanges at thw box office. Yes Merick refunded 1,000+ tickets JUST to keep one critic out of the theatre.

By the early 1970s Hal Prince began offering critics a choice of several late previews so the cast wasn't under such great pressure on the official opening night. (If you read Ted Chapin's FOLLIES book Clive Barnes attended a Wednesday matinee a few days before the show opened, but he was also invited to come on opening night if he wanted to see the show. By then of course the review was on file.)

With RAGTIME I expect the New York press will be in all this week and those of us coming from out-of-town (like me) will see it next week.

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What night did you see it? She doesn't just sing it she belts it -- I don't mean to suggest power singing, but its in the meat of her range and she just builds the song and hits the last seats. Must have been an off night for her.

Noll is giving an absolutely breath-taking, brilliant performance (the strongest in a very strong ensemble of actors). I expect she'll get a chorus of rave reviews tomorrow evening.