Ragtime's Final Performance- Page 2

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 7:37am

I attended Ragtime Friday and Saturday evening and the final performance Sunday afternoon. I think my favorite performance of the trio was Friday night (Christiane's final). That being said, I didn't notice any "overacting" during the first act of the final performance though.

Mamie Parris was wonderful as Mother. I could only imagine the pressure she felt. It felt like her performance on Sunday afternoon was one of confidence. Her "Back to Before" was stellar.

I can not say enough about Bobby Steggert. His performance was absolutely heartbreaking. Just watching him made me want to cry (which I did on many occasion).

Quentin Earl Darrington was the heart and soul of this production (IMO). His "Sarah come back to me" during New Music gave me chills every time I saw this production.

Kudos to the 28 piece orchestra who played magnificently. I loved the orchestrations to this show, and I heard something new with each visit.

Ironically the performance I liked the least was Saturday evening when I sat all the way to the left in the orchestra. I felt very disconnected from everything. However, I loved my seats in the front mezzanine as there were some lovely "stage pictures" to be seen.

Someone must have heard me last week, as they were selling souvenir programs Friday evening. Sorry they didn't include the final pose in the opening number and the "New Music" photo that was in front of the theatre.

I'm kind of surprised that the swings, and Little Boy and Little Girl understudies were not included in the final bow (as I have seen at other closings).

I will miss this production of Ragtime tremendously. I have been attending Broadway shows for 32 years and never in this time have I seen a production in as short amount of time as I did with this show (9 times Broadway, 9 times DC). I am so sorry that this beautiful production could not find an audience to sustain a longer run.

Updated On: 1/11/10 at 07:37 AM

[GatorNY]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 7:44am

I splurged for a ticket after having listened to the OBCR throughout the week and it was worth every penny of the full price ticket. I think everyone was waiting for some sort of speech or announcement after the curtain calls. Steggert's performance was the standout for me too JordanC...I loved every minute that he was on stage. His performance was the most REAL, especially when he was standing with Mother at the end of the first act. I wish that I could have seen Marin in the original cast. This cast had some very big shoes to fill, and they all filled them in ways that they can be so proud of, and that fans like me will always be grateful to have seen. It's a real shame that so many theater lovers won't get a chance to see this wonderful production. New Music was is one of the best moments I have ever had in a theater.

[Anakela]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 9:34am

I'm kind of surprised that the swings, and Little Boy and Little Girl understudies were not included in the final bow (as I have seen at other closings).

I don't know the swings well enough to speak to them, but the Little Boy and Little Girl understudies did bow after Sunday afternoon's show. I was confused at first as to why the Little Boy and Little Girl were bowing with the ensemble, then realized that it was actually their understudies bowing then.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 9:38am

Thanks Anakela, I have no idea how I missed that!

[Huss417]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 9:47am

Funny after the curtain call. Two women in front of us walking out of the theatre mentioned the two other kids taking their bows. One said to the other. "Did I miss them in the show?" The other woman said. " I think they were friends with the two other kids in Atlantic City." ; )

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 10:18am

I'm kind of surprised that the swings, and Little Boy and Little Girl understudies were not included in the final bow (as I have seen at other closings).

Yes, the kid understudies bowed with the ensemble. They also put the swings into a couple of scenes during the show and they did bow with the ensemble as well.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 10:33am

Ugh, I always hated the throwing of the arms thing Noll did on the lyric "It never occurred to want more," too!

Sad to see a beautiful show end so soon. Best of luck to the cast and crew.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 10:38am

Noll was in Harrisburg singing with The Harrisburg Symphony.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

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

I won lotto which was absolutely incredible. The show was beautiful and i loved Mamie...perhaps even more than Christiane.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 1:52pm

Yeah, Dottie, I noticed James Moye in there.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 5:56pm

Ah I knew there were some different people when the three immigrants are standing against the railing before Journey On.