The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....

The rumors about "Ragtime," which opened on Nov. 15 to mixed reviews, began in earnest early this month, as poor ticket sales failed to cover performance costs, let alone chip away at the producers�¢?? original $8 million investment in the show. Over the last two weeks, though, "Ragtime" as increased its weekly gross by 11 percent from that weak start. That said, the lead producers of "Ragtime" are veteran Broadway businessmen, and they say they will not keep the show running if there is clearly no audience for it.

Kevin McCollum, a lead producer, said that while he did not see a conspiracy to damage his show specifically with rumors, he believed that they were driven in large part by real estate competition.

"I think part of the online worry buzz is stoked by the fact that "Ragtime's" supporters are more ardent, embattled and likely to go on chat boards or post on blogs trying to drum up support for their show," Mr. Cote said, "but that has a backlash effect. It only highlights the fact that the show has niche support."


A very interesting read!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/26/theater/26ragtime.html?_r=2&hpw

Updated On: 12/25/09 at 06:43 PM

so let me see if i've got this right: bobby steggert (who imho is both a terrific actor and a total babe!) tweets a couple of weeks ago that, "it's now or never" for Ragtime, yet simultaneously can't understand the internet rumors about a possible closing???

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while he did not see a conspiracy to damage his show specifically with rumors

Oh, the irony.

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It got almost across the board raves. It's nice to see that their weekly grosses & overall attendance are increasing. I'm really hoping for a huge number for this week. I just really want this show to stick around until the Tony's at least. It deserves at least a few awards.

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I'm confused. I thought people thought Ragtime was closing because of Michael Riedel's article? Was it started by the chat boards or Mr. Riedel?

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Very interesting article, indeed. I love this show so much and hope that it gets what it deserves come Tony time. All I can say is a nice "Keep up the good work!" to all of those over at the Neil Simon Theatre.

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The New York Times, anyway, was mixed. But I definitely hope this show holds on. The score is spectacular and Christiane Knoll is luminous as Mother.

http://criticometer.blogspot.com/2009/11/ragtime.html


Looks like RAGTIME opened to predominantly favourable notices. 5 mixed, 0 negatives, and one pan (but from Matthew Murray at Talkin' Broadway, so it's not a legitimate review)

Beyond reviews, the problem is ticket prices. If all seats were at the rates they were 10 years ago RAGTIME, FINIAN'S RAINBOW and others would be selling out. In this economy people cannot afford $135 tickets week after week and it becomes a quarterly/semi annual experience for anyone but the mavens. And they support their habit with Lottery/rush tickets (or manage to get comps.)

I know Broadway shows have huge nuts to crack but until a show is established, the big challenge it to get the theatres filled and let people spread the word.

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