RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
#0RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 8:28pm
I had the rare and honored privilege today of attending the second to last performance of RAGTIME - THE MUSICAL. The show played September 11-19 and was sponsored by both the Republican and Democratic parties.
As I attempted to enter Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, we strolled through a "Color The Sidewalk" Arts Festival. Many students, young and old, each had their own piece of sidewalk to color with chalk. And these were not pre-school "oh lets draw a kitty cat!" drawings. These were VERY talented kids doing some AMAZING artwork.
We entered the Auditorium, and NC Theatre's "Kids on Broadway" performed songs from upcoming shows, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JEKYLL & HYDE, and CATS. Quite good! Very talented kids there.
As you approached the doors into the theatre, there was a voting registration booth for both the Democratic and Republican parties. They asked if everyone was registered to vote on their way into the theatre.
Now, on to the show. WOW! I had never gave a standing ovation at the beginning of a curtain call, but I did this tonight.
The show used the same sets and choreography as the Broadway production, with minor changes here and there. Nothing more to comment, you know these parts of the show are good, having received Tony nominations for Costumes, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Choreography, and Direction.
And of course everyone knows how STUNNINGLY PERFECT the music is, having WON Tony Awards for Score and Orchestrations.
The only difference from this production and Broadway, were the actors (for the most part).
Stand-outs were Michael Rupert as Tateh, Norm Lewis as Coldhouse, (HOLY CABOLEY!) Julia Murney as Mother, and I don't have my program with me, but the actors who played "Mother's Younger Brother," "Evelyn Nesbit," "Sarah," and "Emma Goldman."
The actress who played "Emma Goldman" was the best performance, in my opinion. She had a VERY developed character and a very bold, booming voice. What a talent!
Runner up for best performance is Julia Murney as "Mother." Outstanding voice, very good actress.
RAGTIME was as excellent as ever. A remarkable show that should have never left Broadway in the first place.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#1re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 8:29pmJulia Murney is fantastic!
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#2re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 8:36pm
*cough*Coalhouse*cough*
I'm glad you liked the performance, Hook. That cast sounds fantastic. Well, what you posted of it. :P
#3re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 8:45pmI wish I had my playbill with me. I need to name these people. EXTREMELY talented. NC Theatre has some talented people! I can't wait to return to see their production of JEKYLL & HYDE.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#4re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 9:15pmIt's things like these that make me wish I was very rich and unemployed.
#5re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 9:26pmGlad you enjoyed it Capn... I wish I could've been there!
#6re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/19/04 at 9:48pmRagtime is amazing...and I agree it never should've left broadway. I'm glad you had an awesome time...Julia Murney rocks my world. :-P
"Because what is more like love than the ocean? You can play in it, drown in it. It can be clear and bright enough to hurt your eyes, or covered in fog; hidden behind a curve of road, and then suddenly there in full glory. Its waves come like breaths, in and out, in and out, body stretched to forever in its possibilities, and yet its heart lies deep, not fully knowable, inconceivably majestic."
MatthewAddison
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/04
#7re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 2:42am
Awww- one of my friends sent me the link to this post.
I had the HUGE honor of being in the ensemble of the show...I was so proud of the show and it's success.
NCT is a GREAT theatre company. Norm, Julia, and Michael were awesome--onstage and off--and I'm glad people in the audience could feel the magic. I think if this show were in NY--it would have been sold out for months in advance. We had a dream cast.
It's over...as of tonight! NEXT! :)
-Matthew
#8re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 3:27am
I'm so glad it was wonderful. I wish I could have seen it when I was in Raleigh, but I couldn't. C'est La Vie.
Can I get more details on Julia Murney? After all, I associate the role of Mother with a soprano which becomes a belt (aka Julia Murney). Julia Murney as a soprano? It's tough to imagine what it hears like, so a full description would be appreciated! She's wonderful.
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
#9re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:03pm
I saw Ragtime on Saturday and it was amazing. Particularly living in Raleigh, I was thrilled to see such a great production here. (It doesn't always work out that way and I can only get to NY so often!)
I especially went to see Julia Murney, who to this point I had only listened to on the Wild Party recording, and I was just blown away. Does anyone know how to contact her? I did a quick web search because I would love to send her a note but I couldn't find an address.
"She sang each word, the angels heard ... They closed her mouth and shipped her south. The woman's done."
#10re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 4:57pm
Let's see. Julia Murney...
Her first song, after the opening number, was "Goodbye, My Love." This song, to me, is boring on its own. Not really much you can do with it. It's a song, and nothing more. No action happens, nothing to keep your attention. It's just one beautiful song.
HOWEVER, Julia somehow kept my interest. My eyes never left her! She had the perfect inflections and great stage presence.
Next, she sang in the trio of "Journey On." WOW! Beautifully staged and how wonderful a song!
Next was "What Kind of Woman." Sorry, but I felt her acting was weak for this brief scene when she finds the infant in the ground. She says "Get Kathleen! Call the doctor!" She was surprised, that emotion came across. However, she didn't seem saddened by what happened, nor afraid about what to do without her husband. She has to make the decision of what to do for the household. Very brief, scene here that she wasn't too good in, but that is the only part (that she was in) of the entire show that I can find fault in.
She redeemed herself when she sang the song, accepted Sarah and the child into her household, and finished the song.
Later, Julia sang in "Nothing Like the City." Quite good in this!!
"The Courtship" and "New Music" was EXCELLENT!!! Best I have seen. They told the story perfectly, and Julia's emotions shined. What restrained resentment towards Father!
She was then in a scene before "What A Game" and was good in this.
I believe her last song was "Our Children" and again, she WOWed us all!
Something I just remembered! ACT II didn't open with Harry Houdini and his magic trick, espcaping from the box and appearing in the audience. There was no magic trick at all! Did they cut this scene?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#11re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 5:25pmIt can easily be cut and still make sense.
#12re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 5:32pm
How were "Back to Before" and "Wheels of a Dream"?
I really like Norm Lewis. I bet he was fantastic.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#13re: RAGTIME Takes A Patriotic Bow in Raleigh, NC - A Review
Posted: 9/20/04 at 6:28pm
yea, who played Sarah?
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