Rags the Musical

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 5:54pm

Any thoughts? I saw it at camp adnd loathed it but most people I know enjoyed it.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 7:55pm

I understand negative reaction -- the story never quite works, it slows down to dawdle undramatically over minor character moments, and rushes bigger events (the horrors in the triangle fire are presented as a way to kill someone off, in effect, rather indifferently). But it's ambitious and intelligent, and what a glorious score. Strouse's best work. Even if the songs are ill placed at times (the haunting "If We Never Meet Again" has been moved around from opening the show, to closing the first act, etc) I think much of it is lovely, and the overture is thrilling. It manages to synthesis the "sound" of the immigrant experience with classic Americana and great theater music. The numbers for the two lead women are challenging, and remember, written for operetic voices. Too bad it never quite comes together. The Papermill Playhouse made a semi-persuasive case for the show a few years ago (the score, certainly, soared), but it didn't solve its problems.

Updated On: 9/26/04 at 07:55 PM

[Jon]

Posted: 9/26/04 at 8:56pm

Mostly a great score, but weak book, with stereotypes instead of actual characters. I saw the original, and the new "revised" version is even worse - with the little boy narrating the story!

Like I said - mostly a great score - "Children of the Wind" and "Blame it on a Summer Night" are superb. On the other hand, "Brand New World" sounds an awful lot like "Join the Circus" from BARNUM, and the refrain of "Three Sunny Rooms" reminds me of "Bella Notte" from LADY AND HE TRAMP!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 10:07am

I'm glad I ran a search before I posted a question about Rags.

I'm hoping that Margo has something to add to this as well.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 10:32am

My Fair Lady...at what camp did you see Rags?

[tagiunagi]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 10:58am

OMG! I LOVE this show! So endearing, so heartwarming! I thought there were one too many reprises but I've never really quite seen the problems people find with the book. I simply love all of the songs, especially Three Sunny Rooms, Rags, and Penny a Tune.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 3:50pm

I love this show. The music is so lush and gorgeous.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 3:51pm

The music is so beautiful....The book was the problem...

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 4:00pm

I think the Overture was written just for the recording. I seem to recall that the show opened directly with "I Remember"/"Greenhorns".

Updated On: 10/20/05 at 04:00 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 4:02pm

Smaxie, you're correct. I saw the closing performance and there was no overture. It opened cold with "I Remember/Greenhorns".

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 4:09pm

When I saw it there was no overture either in Boston, and no Teresa Stratas either, I got to see Christine Andreas and she was simply amazing! There was also this great duet between Rebecca and Bella (Judy Kuhn) that was cut by the time I saw it again on Broadway...I keep hoping Christine will record on of the songs on her CD's.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 4:11pm

Teresa Stratas was horrible. Be glad you missed her. I'm so glad they recorded it with Julia Migenes. Her voice is beyond perfect for the score.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 4:18pm

Wow, it's so weird to see a thread I posted over a year ago...yeah, I still dislike the show, although I have a new appreciation for the music.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 4:30pm

A young woman did the title song from this in class this past summer and blew me away with it - I'd never listened to it before then - but I'd have to agree that it is some of Strouse's best work.