RAGTIME Reviews — Page 6

Marquise, does that really serve any purpose? The show is what it is. I'm not suggesting that it isn't fertile ground for criticism in any review, merely that a review should involve more than I don't like sentimentality and so I don't like the show. Musical theatre, particularly in its earliest forms was full of sentimentality -- actually what Sondheim rebelled against. Some like it some don't. Several of the reviews released last night are simply that -- I don't like Ragtime and do little to inform the reader about this production and what works and what doesn't, how were the vocal performances, how was the acting, how did it all gel with the stagecraft, and ultimately within the context of this particular theatrical framework, how did it play. I'd be happier if they said, you know the performances were fine but I don't think the show works and here's why. These reviews simply say I don't like sentimentality and I don't like the heaviness of the score, so the show sucks.

Oh don't get me wrong. I didn't say it was right or for that matter served a purpose. I personally love the show.

Ragtime Criticometer

I love that site. Saves me so much time from having to bother actually, you know, reading the reviews.

---

"Adam, having read the review again this morning I'm beginning to feel differently. Given his original review of the show, I kind of feel that this was as much of an about face as one was going to get from Brantley. I'd even suggest that the show might even be happy with his review given his distaste for the material. You do have to slog through it to read that he's found a warm spot for the show that he didn't before, but it is there."

I agree. Brantley obviously did not dislike this production, as evidenced by the fact that he has very few criticisms for the production itself (most of the negative comments are targeted at the material and original production).

---

I don't think that a Times pull quote is as important as it used to be. Brighton Beach Memoirs probably would have closed no matter what Brantley wrote about it, simply because it was hemorrhaging money and nobody wanted to see it. That said, Wicked has a built-in fan base that doesn't read reviews or care who is in the show. I don't think Ragtime has that. I'm optimistic, but I am also a bit worried.

---

I'm completely dumbfounded by the fact that Vincentelli thinks MEMPHIS is ***1/2 worthy but this production of RAGTIME is worthy of **1/2, the same rating she gave the insipid AFTER MISS JULIE and the horrendously crafted ROCK OF AGES, and only a half a star more than she gave the horrifically dreary GUYS & DOLLS revival.

They'll get something from Brantley.

top-drawer design team

With a tiered, skeletal set that suggests a majestic phantom railroad station, this Ragtime puts the emphasis on people

warmly acted

an animated history lesson

neither drags nor sags under its big themes

Mr. McNally's script is a marvel of compression and clarity

Ms. Noll, Mr. Steggert and Mr. Petkoff bring specific shadings of ambivalence to their roles that put bruisable flesh on silhouette figures and suggest the excited bewilderment of people looking for toeholds in a shifting landscape.

Mr. Flaherty's score, which weaves variations on the rag form throughout, gives the show a natural momentum and unity.

"Ms. Dodge [has] taken her cue from a description in Mr. Doctorow's novel...the expressive silhouette."

moments of piercing sensitivity

Ms. Dodge's production elicits glimmers of delicate beauty

---

Updated On: 11/16/09 at 02:05 PM

There's been discount codes since the first preview.

Of course there will be discounts in January. Right now, the only shows up and running that won't need discount codes in January are Wicked, Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot, and The Lion King.

ljay was perfectly fine in his response, whatever2.

YOU are the one being rude and making foolish comments.

ljay is an important part of this community, you on the other hand are not.

P