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

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

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.

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.

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

No.

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I wouldn't make a Ragtime movie.

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.

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

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

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.

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I would.

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

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

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Mandy Patinkin as Tateh.

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.