RAGTIME to Begin Previews October 23rd at The Neil Simon- Page 3

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:08pm

I've heard multiple times that Leigh Ann declined Ragtime, and is up for Petra.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:11pm

Then I guess she is just excited for the rest of the production? Who knows.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:13pm

Yeah, not sure, lol.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:19pm

Larkin is indeed up for Petra in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, but I'm sure she's waiting on whether or not she got it before she declines RAGTIME (they haven't signed all of the returning cast members to their new contracts yet.)

[singtopher]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:27pm

Someone else has said it, but Mary Testa please for Emma.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:37pm

Are there any nice-sized pics of the set and costumes from the Kennedy Center production? All I see are the same couple of lower-res pics.

I'm very excited to see the show in a new light. As much as I adored the original production, I could also understand the criticism that it was directed to within an inch of its life.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:43pm

Ohhh I love the idea of Mary Testa as Goldman, though I say this every time she is cast in a featured role, someone needs to write a vehicle for this woman already!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 9:57pm

Leigh Ann Larkin in either Ragtime or A Little Night Music is fine with me.

[cglaid]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 10:31pm

Nothing is official yet for Leigh Ann. On either project. Stay tuned.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 10:35pm

Exactly, Leigh Ann Larkin on Broadway at all is good, and both are two wonderful shows. Of course I'd much rather see her as Petra which I think is a lot more interesting than Nesbit but as long as she's on stage, I'm a happy camper.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 10:37pm

Everything the Nesbit character sings in Ragtime is stinko.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 11:02pm

I am VERY happy that Quentin Earl Darrington will reprise his role as Coalhouse. And since Manoel Felciano is unavailable, I hope they offer Tateh to Jonathan Hammond, who understudied at the Kennedy Center because he was PERFECT.

It is thrilling just to think about seeing the Kennedy Center production of RAGTIME again! It's brilliant.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 11:26pm

I'm really hoping this does turn out to run for a while, because I don't know if I'm going to be able to make it to NYC in the fall...guess I'll miss a lot if I can't! Ragtime has long been a priority for me as far as seeing a professional staging of it.

[onedaymore]

Posted: 7/1/09 at 11:27pm

Leigh Ann is one of my favorite performers EVER. I think she's got a powerful set of vocal chords on her. Unfortunately they were not used to their full extent as Dainty June.

Here's the thing: If Leigh Ann can go from playing a twelve year old to playing someone as badass as Petra, she can do anything!!

"The Miller's Son" is one of my absolute favorite musical theatre songs of all time. I would absolutely love to hear her sing it.

But I would still be very happy if she did Ragtime, because that's also another brilliant piece of theatre. :)

[Actor2]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 1:44am

"Ugh, one of my favorite shows (Hairspray) moves out and one of the worst theatrical experiences I've ever witnessed (Ragtime) moves in? The magic of the Neil Simon will be gone."

First of all, I love Hairspray.

But, are you NUTS!? Ragtime is one of the most stellar, stirring, important pieces of theatre to EVER come into existence.

[onedaymore]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 2:06am

That IS a little crazy. Ragtime is genius, and personally I think Hairspray is GARBAGE compared to the well thought out brilliance of Ragtime *don't kill me please!*

[rjjn]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 2:10am

I agree with miss pennywise, I loved Jonathan Hammond when I saw him play Tateh, and I hope he gets offered the role.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 3:28am

They could do much better than Jonathan Hammond for the Broadway revival. I did not like his interpretation.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 5:35am

I really liked Jonathan Hammond's portrayal of Tateh. I would still love to see Norm Lewis as Coalhouse one of these days though (and I really loved Quentin Earl Darrington at The Kennedy Center).

[ceeejaye]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 5:53am

HI guys
Remember LaChanze did the role of Sarah in the out of town try outs prior to going to Broadway.

Some auditions were held yesterday with Stephen Flaherty.
And interesting enough, LaChanze missed her first song in the WIZ yesterday. But she was there for her last two songs.

Is there a connection, did she audition. She does have a history with the Stephen and Lynn.
Updated On: 7/2/09 at 05:53 AM

[Liverpool]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 6:50am

I'd rather they hire someone that will actually be there.


I vote Anika Noni Rose.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 7:41am

HI guys
Remember LaChanze did the role of Sarah in the out of town try outs prior to going to Broadway.

Some auditions were held yesterday with Stephen Flaherty.
And interesting enough, LaChanze missed her first song in the WIZ yesterday. But she was there for her last two songs.

Is there a connection, did she audition. She does have a history with the Stephen and Lynn.

LaChanze also played the role in both L.A. and Broadway.

They know she's in a show right now and could obviously schedule her audition around performances. I highly doubt there's a connection.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 9:44am

If LaChanze is cast in this production (yes, she's probably too old, but she looks amazing for her age), I would have to see this once a week. and pray for a recording.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 9:56am

LaChanze was wonderful as Sarah.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 7/2/09 at 10:17am

As much as I love LaChanze, it would be even more crazy to cast her again as Sarah than to cast Will Chase as Tony in Billy Elliot. Oh wait, yeah.