Ragtime's Final Performance

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 6:25pm

I just got back from the final performance of RAGTIME and I know that a lot of people will say it was a life changing event in the theatre for them, to me it was a let down. It seemed most of the cast was of the mentality during the first act that "Its our last show lets just do it as big as we can!" so a lot of it came off as false and overacted. Maybe someone said something during intermission because Act Two had none of that and was much better. RAGTIME is one of my favorite shows, easily in my Top 10 but this revival (tonight and the other 3 times I'd seen it) was sorely lacking in so much of what makes it a great show.

As always, Bobby Steggart was fantastic and very emotional towards the end. He's been my favorite cast member of this revival. Mamie Parris as Mother was excellent and played the part much better than Noll ever has. Unfortunately though, she made the decision to copy Noll in a few ridiculous things she does such as laughing at herself during "Back to Before", a choice that consistently pisses me off.

Anyways, I'm heading out but I'm sure others will have a lot to say about the show today. I hope everyone else had a great time!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 6:28pm

Lykee OMG were there any speeches?

[AlfieByrne]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 6:39pm

Acting choices pissed you off?

k. whatever.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:28pm

Yes, they did piss me off because they appear ridiculous. Just like your screen name.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:30pm

May I suggest an anger management class?

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:35pm

wait, Noll didnt do the final show?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:35pm

oh, please. Everytime someone disagrees with someone on this board someone else comes on board and suggests an "anger management" class.

Plus I hardly have time between my AA meetings, Survivors of The Civil War (Wildhorn's version) meetings and my pottery classes.
Updated On: 1/10/10 at 07:35 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:38pm

wait, Noll didnt do the final show?

No, she had prior commitments that caused her to miss this weekend for a while.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:38pm

Just struck me that getting pissed off at a screen name was a little off the charts....no need to get upset - besides, it's Civil War.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:40pm

You're right! lol
And see, I also don't have time to take any other classes because apparently I need to go back to 3rd grade as well.

[maxximumvolume]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:41pm

I just got back too. It was a very emotional, beautiful night. The energy was great, and the cast was so grateful at the stage door. Watching Steggert try and hold it together was very difficult. And meeting the director and writers was simply perfect. I won't forget this night.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 7:43pm

OTOH, we could be said to be having a cavil war (okay done threadjacking now - glad you were able to attend the final performance).

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:03pm

I want to have a Caviezel war

[Huss417]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:05pm

Just got back also and won't comment on other opinions. I thought both acts were great.

I know someone asked but no speeches at the end. Bobby Steggert was very emotional during the curtain call.

Around us in the audience was Alan Alda and his wife. Lynn Aherns, Stephen Flaherty, Terrence McNally, E.L. Doctorow, Douglas Sills and others I am forgetting at the moment.

Audience was appreciative without going crazy. Extended applause in most of the places you would expect.

Perfect day of theatre.

Updated On: 1/10/10 at 08:05 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:11pm

Magnificent.

[Hank]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:35pm

I just got back too, and it was indeed emotional. An especially spirited applause came from the rear orch and mez. There were some standees in the rear but some of the obstructed seats at the ends of the front aisle went unsold.
At the final curtain only the cast came on and there were no speeches or anything, just a nice big standing o for everybody.
I sat up front and watched as the orchestra played through to the end, and conductor James Moore got very emotional as well.
There was a good sized crowd at the stage door, considering this show had no big name stars in, just a very talented ensemble that I'm sure will be remembered for some time to come.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:42pm

I also just got back from the final show. Ended up winning the lottery, which was decently crowded but also fairly tame considering it was the final show. I will say that it was emotional but the audience was very respectful. It was disappointing that Christiane Noll was not in but I thought Mamie Parris was excellent. Sad to see this gorgeous production go.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:48pm

I was there this afternoon as well. It was my second time seeing it (I lost lotto, so I got last row of the mezz). This production will be missed. it's a real shame that it had to close.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:37pm

What a wonderful performance of a wonderful show. This one will be missed.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 10:18pm

I was there as well...it was so sad to watch Bobby Steggert try to hold it together through the whole show. I thought Mamie Parris was a fantastic Mother. The stage door was pretty tame considering it was a last show, and the cast was so incredibly gracious and grateful to everyone.

There were no speeches at the curtain call, just lots of sobbing. I saw Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, Terrence McNally, E.L. Doctorow, Alan Alda, and George Takei there, though I'm sure there were many people I missed.

This production was truly incredible, and it will definitely be missed.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 12:08am

It was thrilling to be there today. Everyone around me was crying pretty much throughout the show. The performances were stellar. Congratulations to Mamie Parris for her beautiful interpretation of Mother.

I am going to miss this show, but I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to see it the 5 times I did.

[RoslynReynolds]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 12:19am

We can never go back....in the door.

[minicko88]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 3:19am

Go out and tell our story to your daughters and your sons... Make them hear you... When they hear you... I'll be near you... AGAIN!!!!

[onedaymore]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:24am

You wanna know another decision of Noll's that ticks me off? At the end of "Back to Before" when she says "It never occured to want more..." I hate when she does that little OMG The world is coming to an end! hand motion along with it. You know what I'm talking about? It makes absolutely no sense with the line she's singing. And also when she sings "You were my sky, my moon, and my stars, and my ocean...", she starts looking off into space smiling about the sky and the stars etc. That doesn't make much sense either, because she's indirectly telling her husband what he meant to her?

Mazzie still completely dominates anyone who's ever played this role in my book. Especially Noll.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:39am

I sat on the second row, and had an amazing time. I love going to closing performances, and the energy and vibe were great in the audience and from the cast.

I'm very sad to see the revival close. To me, the material holds up excellently and reinforces what I believed back in '98: RAGTIME was robbed at the Tonys by the overhyped LION KING.

All in all, I'm glad the show went out with a bang. Well done.