RAGTIME to Close on Sunday January 3, 2010 — Page 7

I had no problem getting the services charges back when Hairspray changed the date of their closing. In fact, I don't even think I had to place a call about it.

adamgreer, you mention the arrogance of the producers, well that arrogance was ever so apparent on opening night with some of their staff in front of the theatre (the ones handing out tickets).

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There were people from the production and PR office who were handing out tickets to those invited guests. I had been trying for about a month to get a ticket to the opening and unfortunately there were none for sale.

About two hours before the performance I saw them outside the theatre and politely asked if there would be any extras. The rudeness and arrogance I experienced was uncalled for. A simple, "I'm sorry we probably won't" would have been sufficient. Believe it or not, the vultures in front of the theatre were getting tickets left and right and I was left standing there with a "WTF" look on my face!!

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Updated On: 12/29/09 at 07:41 PM

They refund the $1.50 facility fee and the $7.25 convenience fee without asking. They do not refund the $3.20 order processing fee, because that's their fee for selling the ticket, a service they did provide, regardless of whether the show goes on or not.

It's clearly stated in their refund policy. And happened for me today.

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Updated On: 12/29/09 at 07:46 PM

This is to bad. I wanted to see this in mid-January, oh well. I wish the cast and crew the best.

Nooooooo! There is no justice in the world! I wish we could go back to before, when a good show could survive, instead of being buried in the ground. But till we reach that day when an amazing show like this rides on the wheels of success, this will be one of many crimes of the century.
Sorry, I had to. Seriously, though, I really hope I can see it tomorrow (by lotto, post-lotto rush, or SRO), as it would be my only chance to see this production. RIP

"THE END OF BROADWAY IS COMING!"

Though I loved "Ragtime", you're clearly being ridiculous. The end of Broadway? It'll end when "Wicked" stops making more than $500,000 per week.

I'd say they are far from the end.

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I just had a dream that Christiane Noll was the Diana replacement when Alice Ripley leaves Next to Normal. First I laughed, now I'm actually thinking about it.

What is the WORLD coming to? Really? And you are OUTRAGED? Be outraged about the denial of gay rights. Be outraged over child abuse. Be outraged over starving people in ANY country. But outraged over a Bway show closing? It happens.

Don't get me wrong, I saw Ragtime twice because I thought it was a stunning piece of art. Yes, it's a shame that it couldn't find an audience. Where does the fault lie? Hard to tell. Did they market it the right way? Was it bad timing with the economy? SHOULD they have waited until the spring? Who knows. We can speculate, but without access to alternative universes (universi?) we will never really now. Instead of bashing theater goers for liking drek (and I agree that some long running shows are just that) be grateful that there are enough people GOING to see b'way shows to sustain THOSE jobs. Some of them will venture out and see other types of shows. Who thought that the complex and beautiful Next to Normal would last this long? THAT had an uphill climb and IT found an audience.

Cursing America for getting what it "asked for" is silly. THEY are perfectly happy about it. Just like there are all sorts of movies, so should there be all sorts of B'way that appeal to ALL sorts of theater goers. NOT just high art or meaningful productions. In hard economic timmes, people want to laugh and tap their toes and smile.

Is it a shame? Yup. But I doubt that many of the actors are as "outraged" as are you. They knew it was coming, they saw the size of the house each night.

(BTW...someone said that Christiane tweeted something like: last night they (finally) sold out and were turning people away...where were all those people BEFORE the announced closing?)

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Gee, my paraphrasing was pretty darn close eh?

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I'm going to the Final performance.
I'm so happy that I am going to get to see this what looks to be an amazing show.

I'm seeing the matinee today, which is the only time I will be able to see it. I'm working during every other show. It was the second broadway show I ever saw, and still my absolute favorite. I'm just glad I have a last minute chance to see it. I was actually supposed to be out of the area through the end of January, but my plans changed. I'm so glad they did. I couldn't have missed the production, after my own personal feelings about it, the reviews, and the love letters from you guys about the show.

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I think the production's main problem was its' marketing team. Those TV commercials were crap and didn't tell you anything about the show. If I was a non-theatre goer and saw those commercials, I would think..."Man, what a boring show that must be!" The ads made it look like a show about history, presidents, war, etc...just bad.

Nothing about the ads was uplifting and inviting and I think this show has a lot to offer in that department.

Once again...it's just sad that a beautiful show/production such as this one won't get to go on to live a longer life. I wish I had a chance to see it again.

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