#1
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.
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.
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
Updated On: 4/19/09 at 12:09 PM
He has such a beautiful voice. I'm glad he's in a musical again, even if only for a short time. 
