Who would you cast in a film version of the musical Ragtime?- Page 2

[Mattbrain]

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

bwaylvsong, the truth is, no one really comes to mind. I don't know if it's cuz I'm not trying hard enough but I just don't see Ragtime as a movie. This show was my first real emotional experience in the theatre and I don't think any cast or movie director could do it justice. I think it is a brilliant piece. It's one of my favorites if not my favorite. I think that casting a buttload of celebrities would make it all about them and not about the story. And how can you possibly replace the likes of Marin Mazzie, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Audra McDonald? It's almost insulting.

And, producer2, Mandy Patinkin WAS Tateh. He played him in the movie adaptation of the novel.

[PaintWordPictures]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 3:19pm

I'm a little flexible on most of the characters, but I agree that NO ONE but Brian Stokes Mitchell should be Coalhouse. This man gives me a musical orgasm every time I listen to this recording. Let's not be silly and try to change that. (Norm Lewis would be an interesting choice, but isn't he a bass? Coalhouse sings a bit more in tenor range...)

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:11pm

I love the ides of James Earl Jones as Booker T. Washington, Meryl Streep as Emma Goldman, and Victor Garber as Father!

[Jon]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:18pm

Mandy was wonderful as Tateh - TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. Now he's more like "Zayda" (grandpa).

Again - why does everyone want to cast it so old?

[JBSinger]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 9:05am

Mother- Toni Collette or Meryl Streep
Tateh- I like the idea of Robin Williams
Coalhouse- Jamie Foxx (if he can sing legit)
Sarah- Audra McDonald (she's got screen credits), but Anika Noni Rose would be a nice break through.
Father- Hugh Jackman or Ewan McGregor
Younger Brother- Anthony Rapp
Emma Goldman- Cathy Bates (though a Babs cameo would be fun)
Evelyn Nesbit- Kristin Chenoweth or Reese Witherspoon
Henry Ford- Steve Carell
JP Morgan- John C Reilly
Booker T. Washington- James Earl Jones
Sarah's Friend- Jennifer Hudson

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 9:41am

Was the OP's list a joke? It had to be.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:16am

Megan Mullaly is not at all right for Mother. She's also too old. Kate Winslet would be perfect.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:08am

Kristin Chenoweth is waaaaay too old for Evelyn. Actually, she could make a good Mother, possibly (though she's rather old for that role as well.) Remember that this is film, guys. Brittany Murphy would make a fantastic Evelyn (and judging from what I've heard from the movie Happy Feet, she can sing!) I like the idea of Toni Collette as well.

Nicole Kidman hasn't the upper register for Mother and as others have said, her voice isn't strong enough.

Mandy Patinkin is, as has been said, too old for Tateh now. As is Robin Williams.

LOVE the idea of NPH as Younger Brother.

What about Tracy Thoms as Sarah, possibly? From what I heard in RENT, she seemed to have very nice high notes.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:25am

PaintWordPictures, Norm Lewis played Coalhouse at the North Carolina Theatre of Raleigh opposite Michael Rupert and Julia Murney. I have heard nothing but good things about his performance, although there is no way he would ever land the part for a film adaptation (he is simply an unknown to mainstream audiences.)

I agree with Michael Bennett: Megan Mullaly is completely wrong for Mother. Athough I'd love to hear her take a shot at "Back to Before" (because I do think she could sing it,) she's just not a good fit with the part. Nicole Kidman's voice could never handle the score (although I think she fits the part alot better than some of the other mainstream celebrities being mentioned.) Kate Winslet sounds like a perfect suggestion.

SporkGoddess, Kristin Chenoweth as Mother? Please tell me you're kidding.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:33am

Well, I was thinking about her performance as Marian in The Music Man. But I suppose you're right: Kristin is really more of a comedic, character actress.

I wasn't aware that Kate Winslet could sing. :o If she can, that's a great suggestion.

And, yeah, I've seen a video of Norm perform "Wheels of a Dream" with Audra McDonald, and he was fan-friggin-tastic.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:40pm

I could kind of see Alison Lohman as Evelyn.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:18pm

Erinrebecca, my original post was not intended as a joke, but it ended up being one!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:27pm

Yeah I was gonna say Norm Lewis has performed the role. And Brian Stokes Mitchell is not exactly a tenor, though he has those high notes. But Norm can definitely hit those notes, no problem.