Ragtime at the Kennedy Center Review

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:09pm

******There are possible spoilers in my review******


I saw the production on the invited dress rehearsal this past friday, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I should note that it is not like the original production. Certain scenes such as "Crime of the Century" have been re-imagined. I enjoyed this new interpretation of the song, but it does have a different sort of feel than the original interpretation. And surprisingly, Leigh Ann Larkin does not look awkward with a brunette wig. I thought she would when I first heard her hair color was not going to be blonde.

I thought Bobby Steggert (Mother's Younger Brother), Quentin Earl Darrington (Coalhouse Walker), Christiane Noll (Mother), and Manoel Feliciano (Tateh) were the best members of the company. However, Bryonha Parha (Sarah's Friend) was heart-wrenching during 'Till We Reach That Day'.

The scenic design was gorgeous. I'd seen pictures beforehand, but I did not expect it to be that massive. From what I understand the stage is 40 feet high, and they certainly used it. The set has four levels, but it looked like the fourth level was only 7 or 8 feet higher than the third level, not 10. The use of minimal set pieces was very effective, and the lighting just enhanced it's beauty.

The lighting design was absolutely stunning. It was truly beautiful and though I would see a light or two suddenly come on during a scene, it was only because they were adjusting certain lighting cues.

I was actually able to hear the sound very well. The orchestra only over-powered a singer once or twice. For the most part it was very audible.

The choreography was excellent, but it didn't have the same spark that the original did. The set also limited the choreography of certain numbers, but it was still wonderful.

From what I understand, by the invited dress rehearsal the cast had only rehearsed on the actual stage two or possibly three times, and they hadn't run the entire show. However, I was told this before the last rehearsal before the invited dress rehearsal, and it seemed as if during the 12:00 rehearsal the day of the invited dress, they finally rehearsed the entire show. By the time I saw it, it looked as though they were starting to get comfortable with the set and their placement. I believe another show had been playing in the Eisenhower Theatre until about two weeks ago, and as soon as its set was struck, the set for Ragtime was immediately loaded in. This meant that the cast only had about a week and a half of rehearsal time on the stage, not to mention half of it was probably for teching the show.

The show was wonderful and I was thoroughly captivated, and considering the cast had only been rehearsing for a month and a half, it was excellent. So please, do not go into the show expecting it to be just as grand and detailed as the original, as there was not enough time or space to do so, but do go in expecting a wonderful and beautiful show, and a heart-wrenching evening.

Updated On: 4/19/09 at 12:09 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:56pm

Sorry, I was with you until you said Leigh Ann changed her hair color. I could NEVER get past that. I will have to skip this one.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:24pm

I'm seeing it next Sunday. How was the actress who played Sarah? Regarding Leigh Ann's hair color - wasn't she wigged?

[Kev]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:55pm

Leigh Ann was wigged and she looked wonderful. She was a solid Evelyn Nesbit.

Jennlee Shallow was Sarah and, for me, she was one of the standouts. Her softer moments were beautiful and "Your Daddy's Son" was thrilling.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:11pm

Oh, I'm sorry. I should've clarrified, Leigh Ann Larkin was wigged, but it didn't look half bad.

As for the actress who played Sarah: She was much more realistic than Audra McDonald. Though of course Audra was fantastic and my favorite Sarah, it was just the fabulous Audra playing a poor black woman. This actress was more believable, and she's very talented. I couldn't hear her at the end of "Wheels of a Dream" but I think it was a mic issue.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:32pm

What color is Leigh Ann's wig. I just can't see her with ANY other color.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:33pm

Can you elaborate more about Felciano? I remember people thinking it was sort of odd casting and that he was better suited for Mother's Younger Brother, so I'm glad to see that several people have noted him as a stand-out. I'll see for myself soon, but I'm impatient.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:38pm

I'm totally going to have to see this in May. I just hope I can get a ticket.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:44pm

Leigh Ann's wig is a brunette color, but it fits for the interpretation.

At first I thought both Manoel and Christiane were too young for their roles, but I was completely mistaken. Manoel's accent is wonderful and he has great chemistry with everyone onstage. I was also cautious about his singing voice, but it was stunning. He fit the part perfectly.

Christiane's voice was wonderful too, especially during "Back to Before" which I was also skeptical about. She was very believable as mother, but did not play it the same way as Marin Mazzie. Christiane played it much more innocent and sweet than Marin.

Updated On: 4/19/09 at 02:44 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:47pm

I was also cautious about his singing voice, but it was stunning.

Had you heard him sing before? That's the last thing to be cautious about! He has such a beautiful voice. I'm glad he's in a musical again, even if only for a short time.

I'm really so excited about this. I saw the show on Broadway (presumably with the original cast, which makes the upcoming confession that much worse) and was too young to really appreciate it. I know the music, though, and have always thought that if I had been old enough, it was a show I would really love. So I can't wait to see it again.

Updated On: 4/19/09 at 02:47 PM

[Kev]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 3:21pm

Felciano, singing legit, sounded glorious executing the score. His acting was full of life and paternal warmth. There was nothing odd about the casting.

And while Noll's acting was indeed sweet, there was also a bite to her character, which made "Back to Before" all the more effective when Mother finally let loose.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 3:27pm

I do agree with you Kev, Noll's character did have a bite. It was very interesting to see as I felt Marin played it almost the opposite: A bite with deep, underlying emotions.

Updated On: 4/19/09 at 03:27 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 3:30pm

Brunette? Wasn't Evelyn a red-head? This production sounds worse and worse with each detail.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 4:26pm

Sueleen, I think I love you.

Anyway, I'm seeing this in a couple of weeks. Ragtime is my all-time favorite musical, and I can't even express how excited I am to see a professional production. I saw the original Broadway production and it remains the most stunning theatrical experience of my life. This sounds very solid for a first preview. I'm excited to read more thoughts about this production! Updated On: 4/19/09 at 04:26 PM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 4:31pm

I don't think I can wait a week to go. I am trying to resist the urge to splurge on another ticket for this week.

Thanks for the review.

[drjohnpro]

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

I took my family to see Ragtime last night. We first saw the show on Broadway with the original cast. I must admit that after seeing this show, I was hooked. I think Ragtime is the best show that musical theater has ever offered. I saw the show several times before it was forced to close in NY and I brought everyone that I could to see it. I had very high expectations for this productions after reading about it in the Washington Post and I must say I was not disappointed. If you only ever see one show in your life, make it Ragtime. What a wonderful gift to bring this to DC. I know that this production is not as grand as the original but it is a terrific show with an excellent cast. The voices of Mother, Brother, Father, Booker T Washington and Tateh were REALLY outstanding!! You can't compare the voices of Coalhouse and Sarah to Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, however, both were more than respectable in their roles. The orchestra was first rate and the ensembles were also. Congrats to the cast and directors and thank you to the Kennedy Center for bring Ragtime to DC!!