RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010- Page 5
RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
#100re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 1:57am
I'm pretty upset about this. For my big Christmas present to my family, I bought tickets for all of us to see the show on the 9th. 
Hopefully I'll be able to get tickets this week. I really wanted to see this more than anything out right now.
~Steven
#101re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 2:28am
"RAGTIME is the best revival of a musical of the 2009-2010 season and it's too bad that the 2010 Tony Awards ceremony probably won't reflect on this fact."
I love this production too, WithoutATrace, but that's highly unfair considering... you know, every revival of the 2009-2010 has season has yet to open.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#102re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 3:03am
I am most saddened by the thought of how IGNORED this will come to be at Tony time. People SAY that most of the Tony voters have seen it, but I find it hard to believe. And even if it IS true, it's hard to fathom that the voters can keep any thoughts alive through APRIL. It might garner a few nods,but it isn't going to win. (although in my heart of hearts I'll be rooting for Bobby Steggart)
The out of town producers care about what's going to make them money on tour--sadly, this ain't it.
Good luck to the cast and crew.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#103re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 3:08am
"The out of town producers care about what's going to make them money on tour--sadly, this ain't it. "
You make them seem heartless - they have lost their (I assume) entire investment and shouldn't have to keep/risk losing even more money every week either..:-/.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Updated On: 12/29/09 at 03:08 AM
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#104re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 3:19am
"I just don't understand. How bad were the ticket sales? From what I heard, the theatre was packed every night. "
Tale of Two Cities similarly was said to have sold out every single night, with everyone on their feet every night. It's a ploy to get more people in without giving away half of the tickets as comps!
There's a large connotation that Ragtime is boring. After seeing it on stage live for the first time on Monday last week (having listened to the score since the original a decade ago!), I'd agree that the first Act has terribly slow moments. However, it's good enough to stick around for the second house, which is incredible. I'm sad that it's going to be over - especially so soon! I would have also been there January 9th!
I thihnk if you're going to revive anything this fast, it needs to be a notorious, exciting, jumpy story. First thing that pops into my head is Jekyll & HYDE. The story excites people, the music is pop-y and catchy to even today's listeners. Something like TITANIC (or even for you Wildhorn haters, The Scarlet Pimpernel wouldn't do great business either) I don't think would do so well. When I heard of Ragtime coming back, I was indifferent. So many people know about it and respect it, but it's still Ragtime. Personally fell in love with the story watching it live as opposed to the book!
#105re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 3:53am
I was hoping to see Ragtime when I planned to come over from London at the end of March, sad to see a critically acclaimed show not recouping, I HATE that and is very unfair.
Unfortunately Riedel has some very good sources, being right yet again. What mistakes were made by the producers, one could be reviving this show so soon, but if you are going to do a revival follow the blueprint to 'Chicago', would be a good hint, the New York Times described the producers as ecperienced business men, so must have some producing nouse in there.
Very sad news indeed.
#106re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 5:20amOh no, I'm really gutted about this news. I was so looking forward to seeing this production again in early February. But I guess I have to be happy that I at least had the chance to see it once. It was such a delight.
#107re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 6:10am
"Fences is not going to the Neil Simon and is not the reason why Ragtime is closing."
Ron Bohmer's message on his Facebook page indicated this was a reason for the closing.
Updated On: 12/29/09 at 06:10 AM
#108re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 7:58amI am very saddened by the news. This show was AMAZING. Maybe we will get lucky and someone smart will record the show for PBS. That would be the smart thing to do. The set it perfect for recording. If we can do a recording of Tale for PBS then why not RAGTIME which was 100x better.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#109re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 7:59am
>"Fences is not going to the Neil Simon and is not the reason why Ragtime is closing."
Ron Bohmer's message on his Facebook page indicated this was a reason for the closing.<
Ron Bohmer is wrong.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#110re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 9:16amWho is getting it Smaxie??? Do tell!
#111re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 9:24amWord still hasn't gotten around to Ticketmaster about the show's closing. They're still selling tickets well into April. LOL.
#112re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 9:45am
Very depressing news. I feel very fortunate to have been able to see this production, and I'll always cherish my memories of my time in the Neil Simon.
Best of luck to this very talented cast and creative team. I'll be rooting for Team Ragtime when the Tonys roll around!
#113re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 10:09am
"The out of town producers care about what's going to make them money on tour--sadly, this ain't it. "
You make them seem heartless - they have lost their (I assume) entire investment and shouldn't have to keep/risk losing even more money every week either..:-/.
qolbinau, she was referring to the Tony voters, not Ragtime's producers. The out of town producer Tony voters are heartless.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
#114re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 10:18am
I so wish I could be there for the final performance. Now I really regret not seeing it when I had the chance in November. I'll always have the fondest memories of the DC production, at least.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#115re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 10:40am
">"Fences is not going to the Neil Simon and is not the reason why Ragtime is closing."
Ron Bohmer's message on his Facebook page indicated this was a reason for the closing.<
"Ron Bohmer is wrong."
While I don't know for certain that Fences is the reason Ragtime is closing, I DO know that the producers of Fences looked at the theater right before Christmas. Also, Ragtime was evicted; the producers didn't choose to close the show. In general, theaters don't evict a show unless they have a tennant lined up. The Neil Simon's next known tennant, Love Never Dies, is almost a year away.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#116re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 10:59am
>Ragtime was evicted; the producers didn't choose to close the show<
This is a fallacy.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#117re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:06amAny chance they will extend the run by a week or two? Ticketmaster is still selling tickets for upcoming shows. I just did not now know if this one of those ploys to sell more tickets by announcing it is closing - and although it is still closing soon maybe they would extend the run by a little more time if sales picked up. I am nervous abou buying tickets for another show until I officially hear from Ticketmaster that i am receiving a refund. Thoughts?
#118re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:14amClopin, unfortunately no. Usually a ploy to extend would be to advertise "last weeks". No such case in this instance.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
americanboy99
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/06
#119re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:16amVery, very unfortunate news. I hope & pray that this show, especially its actors, are not forgotten come awards time.
#120re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:18am
No, it won't extend. January 3rd is official.
Very, very sad to hear this.
#122re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:26amMy heart stopped when I first read the announcement, even though I saw it coming... but it's a nice to see how much love Bobby Steggert is getting from this thread. When I first saw the show in DC, I thought, "That guy is the best part of the show," but no one else I was with thought he was anything special.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
i_love_megan
Stand-by Joined: 3/29/07
#123re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:44amIm going to the city this weekend, is it safe to say that lotto for saturday night/matinee will be packed?
#124re: RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010
Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:46amSchmerg, I loved Bobby Steggert's performance and think I even mentioned it in my initial review of the show. He was quite remarkable (IMO).
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
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