Who would you cast in a film version of the musical Ragtime?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 4:58pm

In honor of my production of Ragtime (my musical theater debut!), which opens at LaGuardia Arts HS (the "Fame" school) on Thursday, I created this thread.

To answer the thread title...(actor/dubber where applicable)

Mother- Julia Roberts/Celine Dion
Tateh- Robin Williams/ Michael Ball
Coalhouse- PDiddy/ Norm Lewis
Sarah- Beyonce
Father- Richard Gere
Younger Brother- Josh Groban
Emma Goldman- Barbra Streisand
Evelyn Nesbit- Catherine Zeta Jones
Henry Ford- Clay Aiken
JP Morgan- John C Reilly
Booker T. Washington- James Earl Jones
Sarah's Friend- Whitney Houston Updated On: 12/3/06 at 04:58 PM

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 5:20pm

To quote several recent threads . . .

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

I like two or three of those options, but its a little too star studded, I can't imagine some of those people acting (Josh Groban!?) and some of those people do not belong in a musical movie, period. I think CZJ would be interesting as Nesbit, though a bit too oll, but JEJ as Booker might work.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 5:32pm

The title isn't popular enough to be a draw without being star studded.

Groban studied acting before he became a singer.
With the exception of Aiken, they have all acted before.

And I only put him because I couldn't think of anyone else.

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 5:40pm

The title isn't popular enough to be a draw without being star studded.

True, but you can carry a movie on a few of the right names, not everyone needs to be an out of this world ***STAR***. I just think it might be a little too topheavy.

Groban studied acting before he became a singer.

Cool.

Updated On: 12/3/06 at 05:40 PM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 5:50pm

So many of those are kind of off-kilter though.

I'd LOVE to see this happen, so I'll bite and play the casting game.

I'd probably cast a few big names, and then some highly established Broadway folk along with others who are just breaking out.

soo...

Sarah: Anika Noni Rose
Father: NO IDEA.
Younger Brother: Matthew Morrison
Emma Goldman: Tricky.
Evelyn Nesbit: Kristen Chenoweth or Brittany Murphy
Houdini: Richard Gere
Henry Ford: Michel McKean
JP Morgan: who cares
Booker T. Washington: DAnny Glover, I suppose?
Sarah's Friend: Audra McDonald, as a cameo

As for the big leads, though, that's a tougher call.

I would choose:

Kevin Kline for Tateh
Coalhouse: Probably Norm Lewis
Mother: this one's REAL tricky...I'd say Ana Gasteyer.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 5:59pm

I could see Paula Patton as Sarah.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:05pm

bwaylvsong, I have only this much to say about your suggestions:

No.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:07pm

Clay Aiken would be the GAYEST antisemite ever

[Liverpool]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:18pm

I wouldn't make a Ragtime movie.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:23pm

The score for Ragtime is so incredibly detailed and difficult that I don't think stunt casting it with big names would be do-able. I would die to see Victoria Clark as Mother, whether it be on film or on stage or in my backyard..

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:56pm

Actually the score to Ragtime is not difficult at all, if it is taught well.
Henry Ford is not portrayed as anti-Semitic, although it is a historical fact; and, as I said, Clay Aiken is just a temporary spot-holder before I can think of someone else.
Mattbrain (I love your name BTW), I would be interested to hear your choices.
I would also love to see Vicki Clark in the role, onstage.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 8:09pm

I always thought Nicole Kidman would make a lovely mother.

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 9:13pm

Coalhouse Walker Jr. - ?! JESSE L. MARTIN?
Tateh - ROBIN WILLIAMS
Mother - LEA THOMPSON
Father - KEVIN KLINE
Mother's Younger Brother - NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
Sarah - HEATHER HEADLEY
Emma Goldman - KATHY BATES
Evelyn Nesbit - CHRISTINA APPLEGATE
Harry Houdini - HUGH JACKMAN?
Henry Ford - DAVID HYDE-PIERCE
J.P. Morgan - RICHARD GRIFFITHS
Updated On: 12/3/06 at 09:13 PM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 9:22pm

I love your choices, broadway86!!!

[Stitch_Stalker]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 9:40pm

All of these choices made me die a little inside...

If a movie were ever to be made (and it could be a nice movie if the cinematography was done well-I've often thought how cool it would be to direct it) I would want as much of the original cast as possible-honestly, Brian Stokes Mitchell or nothing! The show isn't as age-reliant as other shows (IE-RENT) and could get away with the cast being 10 years older...

Robin Williams as Tateh??? PLEASE let it be a joke!

Edit: Sorry... It took me two seconds to realize that might be a little harsh-I just hate it when people think of the most star-studded cast to ever exist when casting for a musical movie... I'm one who always has hopes for the unknown actor...
Updated On: 12/3/06 at 09:40 PM

[actormcfamous]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 9:42pm

Coalhouse: Jamie Foxx
Mother: Nicole Kidman [EDIT: Megan Mullaly. She is brilliant and SO talented outside of Will and Grace - she deserves to keep getting cast, and in roles that aren't Karen Walker.]
Tateh: Robin Williams (he would be brilliant)
Sarah: Jennifer Hudson
Father: Hugh Jackman
Younger Brother: Neil Patrick Harris
Evelyn Nesbitt: Renee Zellweger
Harry Houdini: Clay Aiken
Emma Goldman: Meryl Streep
Updated On: 12/3/06 at 09:42 PM

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 9:52pm

Nicole Kidman isn't a powerful enough singer I think to pull of Mother. But she's beautiful.

No one but Brian Stokes Mitchell for coalhouse.

Yeah I'm down with Robin Williams being Tateh.

For Sarah, they can just bring back Audra McDonald. Because she's amazing.

Father: ummm? Tough actually.

Younger Brother. I agree with Matthew Morrison.
I WOULD KILL SOMEONE TO SEE MERYL STREEP AS EMMA GOLDMAN! Ooooh good choice!
Harry Houdini: Who said Richard Gere? Good choise.
I feel like Catherine Zeta-Jones would be too old for the part. Not that she looks old but she's too mature. Someone like Brittany Murphy would fit in better.

But Ragtime is my 3rd favorite musical and my second favorite book so if they ever ever decide to make it a movie they better not screw it up. Too beautiful a show.

I think they just need to bring it back to Broadway.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:04pm

I agree that it would be better with unknowns or the OBC, but this is the real world. Without famous people, people wouldn't see the film!

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:11pm

I would.

There are no famous people that can do some of these roles. I forbid it.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:25pm

Victor Garber as father?

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:32pm

Heyy! Good one! I love Victor Garber I didn't even think of him!

[Jon]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:41pm

Why does everyone want to cast Father as a man in his mid-50's? He has an 8 year old son.

Houdini was a little middle-european Jewish man. Hugh Jackman??? Clay Aiken???

[Producer2]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:41pm

Mandy Patinkin as Tateh.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:54pm

Eddie Murphy

[actormcfamous]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 11:58pm

I don't personally see a problem with casting Williams as Tateh due to age because Hollywood can do amazing things to make people look younger - a beard (like on Broadway), a little touch-up/airbrushing, and voila. And it's not like a 50 year old man can't make a baby.

I would actually love to see Kelli O'Hara take on Mother, but I doubt that'd ever happen on screen.

I'm actually changing my vote for Mother from Nicole Kidman to Megan Mullaly. That woman is brilliant and SO talented outside of Will and Grace. People need to keep casting her so doesn't go down in history as being Karen Walker. Plus, she's a big enough name to draw some mainstream interest.