Ragtime in Los Angeles - Review

I was thinking of checking this out. When is it running 'til?

Were you there today too? So was I, so lucky to have gotten a 4th row center seat, so I could really feel the excitement and passion of this show close up. I thought it was one of the finest "regional theater" productions I've ever seen. In fact, I felt I was seeing a show on Broadway, which I rarely feel even when a regional production is good. Spectacular performances by the always memorable David Jennings as Coalhouse, Eric Anderson a masterful Tateh, and the quite talented and also yummy Matthew Rocheleau as Younger Brother. Yes, I would have loved to see the originals Marin Mazzie as Mother and Audra MacDonald as Sarah, but Victoria Strong and Nicole Pryor did fine jobs each in these roles. Most of these performers (except David and Victoria) appeared a year ago in another production in Thousand Oaks, also directed by Paul David Bryant. That time I sat in the top balcony for Act 1 and it made a big difference this time sitting up close. The ensemble (which featured many well performed cameos) was top notch, and though the sets were simple, they didn't need to be anything more than what they were, a backdrop to powerful singing/acting/dancing. Ragtime. What a great show it is! I've been listening to the OBC recording these past two days and the music is dancing in my head even as I write this. Long Beach's Musical Theatre West also did an excellent She Loves Me earlier this season. Unfortunately I wasn't at all enthusiastic when next year's season was announced today: yet another King and I, Anything Goes (The Ahmanson will have the acclaimed London version this summer, so I'll pass on Long Beach's), and two "West Coast Premieres" which I've never heard of and don't sound interesting. So I guess I'll have to wait at least another year to see something there that really appeals to me. Anyway, for those in the L.A. area who missed this, you missed a good one!!!

I saw ragtime on saturday. I was also very impressed with the show. The cast was wonderful. David Jennings as Coalhouse was exceptionally good. The only critism I had was that although I loved younger brother's(Matthew Rocheleau) acting I found his singing didnt have the excitement that the obc younger brother had. There was nothing paticularly wrong with his singing it just didn't have the energy that his acting did.

david jennings was great in the vegas production of notre dame de paris!

I was going to try to see this on my last trip out there. I didn't know David Jennings was in the cast! Had I known, I would've certainly tried harder to see it. Thanks for your review.

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