rOcKS @ 'Ragtime'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 1:09am

A brilliant production of a brilliant musical, this is the production I've been waiting for this season. Marcia Milgrom Dodge has stripped away all of the bells and whistles from the original production to just give us RAGTIME in it's simplest, rawest, and most potent and powerful form. And the cast is pretty damn spectacular.

I have to admit, I have some problems with RAGTIME's book, but the score is sensational. The book is still excellent and deserved the Tony but it's definitely not flawless. That said, this current production of RAGTIME is breathtakingly powerful, emphasizing the great things about the show and almost brushing the not-so-great to the side; what every great revival should do.

This review may sound like I'm gushing. And that's because I am. I really can't find one thing really wrong with this production. The direction is absolutely sensational and beautiful; especially the way the ensemble numbers are handled. Milgrom Dodge works great with large groups in this production. The stage never seems cramped or crowded; everything is very fluid. The last scene is just incredibly moving, as is Til We Reach That Day which left me in tears.

The cast is just incredible. A few highlights for me: Darrington, Umoh, and Steggert were all exceptional. Umoh is no Audra but she is a wonderful Sarah in her own right. Steggert makes the role of Younger Brother seem more important than ever. And Darrington is almost frighteningly real as Coalhouse; especially in the moments before Til We Reach That Day. The best performance in this great cast is coming from Christiane Noll, though, who is just brilliant in every way. Back To Before is stunning and her acting is virtually flawless. A truly fantastic performance.

The set is spectacular, the lighting strikingly beautiful, the choreography well-suited for the show, and the costumes lovely. The orchestra is one of the best I've ever heard; truly. I just kept thinking how excited I am already for this Cast Recording.

I know I'm basically just echoing what everyone else has said, but this is one helluva production. Incredibly moving, gorgeous, and even pretty funny at times, this RAGTIME is (dare I say it?) better than the original production. I really can't find any major flaws with the production; it's just an enthralling production that everyone should experience. I'm going again in November and can't WAIT. This is the production of the season and it's gonna be very hard to top it.

**** out of ****

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 1:14am

I agree with every word of this. So glad you loved it, too Rocks!

[KimmySwimmy]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 1:45am

I saw the show tonight and I agree with everything you said Rocks. I was a sobbing mess at the end of Act I and again at the end of Act II. I don't think I could describe it better than you...thank you.

I can't wait to see it again.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 2:05am

UGH! You lucky New Yorkers, or those that are closer than Detroit!! I cannot come to NY to see it. I am planning a NYC Theater trip for June/July for my birthday! Obviously Ragtime will be at the top of my list! Thanks for your review!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 2:07am

I have to admit, I have some problems with RAGTIME's book

What problems specifically, and do you have ideas on how they could be fixed?

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 2:18am

Great to see you and how much you enjoyed it! :)

[My Oh My]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 2:37am

I hope it is an improvement over the original production. I attended the American Premiere production at the Shubert Theatre in L.A. three times, and while it was a beautifully staged, incredibly spectacular production, it definitely felt cluttered and was visually overwhelming at times.

Looks like this production is neither minimalist or lavish but something in the middle, which I think is the best approach for a show with a very epic feel but that also requires focus on the many intricate characters and story lines that interweave with one another.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 5:10am

(SPOILERS) My biggest problem with the book is the abrupt and complete transformation that Tateh has from poor immigrant to wealthy film director. Yes, we get glimmers of the prospects ahead of him but when he is shown as the director during the Atlantic City number, it just seems very abrupt. To me, what happened in between is a bit too unexplained. That's my biggest issue with it.

How to fix it? Add another scene maybe at the top of Act II or towards the end of Act I for Tateh, giving us a little more info as to how this transition happened. I just don't know where, structurally, the scene would work. And I'm not gonna tell Terrence McNally how to tweak his Tony Award-winning book. Ha. It's a very strong book, like I said, but not without its issues. It's a bit rushed at times but overall does a wonderful job of adapting such dense source material for the stage.
Updated On: 10/31/09 at 05:10 AM

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 10:11am

rOcKS pretty much summed up my thoughts and feelings on the revival. Such a great theatre experience!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 10:38am

I've got this tonight. Have never seen it before.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 11:28am

I'm anxious to hear what you think, yankee!

Everyone really seemed to enjoy it last night. Roaring applause after Til We Reach That Day, Wheels of a Dream, the opening, Your Daddy's Son, Make Them Hear You, Back to Before, and New Music. And an immediate standing ovation from the orchestra the second the curtain went down after Act II. The theater looked pretty full too; an empty row or two and scattered empty seats at the back of the orchestra but I didn't see the mezzanine.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 2:16pm

Re: Tateh's story. Yes it does get lost for quite a while and then suddenly re-emerges in Act Two. But we see the start of Tateh's entrepreneurial spirit in the scene after "Gliding" where he sells the first book of animated drawings. But it is a bit of a jump, and yet since Mother is the anchor of the show - she is the one that connects everyone - in a way it makes sense since she only meets Tateh briefly in Act One and the re-encounters him in Act Two.

I watched the DVD of the movie RAGTIME just this week, and it gets a lot more wrong than right.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 5:05pm

I have tickets for the day after Thanksgiving, and shaky plans....I hope they don't fall apart!!!!

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 5:11pm

This revival is dreary---unimaginative in every department and devoid of emotion---and it reveals the flaws of the material at every turn. All the narcissistic shills in the audience indulging in their own hysterical psychodramas can't deny the fact that this production is just plain dull.
Updated On: 10/31/09 at 05:11 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 5:19pm

K, thanks.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 5:55pm

I agree with everything you said rOcKS. This show was only one of about 3 or 4 times I've been really moved in a show. There's such energy & passion in everyone's performances. It's absolutely brilliant!!!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 7:15pm

I honestly agree more with Enchanted Hunter on this one. As someone who saw and adored the original, I was severely let down by this production. I LOVED the concept, but thought the execution was incredibly sloppy. Of all the principles, only one stood out as above average to me. That was the brilliant Bobby Steggert as Younger Brother. Otherwise, the rest of it was just blah. It's hard to make Ragtime bad because the material is so strong. But I honestly felt like I had seen high school productions that were higher quality in terms of the actual performances.

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 9:45pm

I am beginning to think I better see this production of Ragtime. I saw Ragtime when it first opened on Broadway in 1998 with the original cast and love the cast recording. I will be in New York City this December and have time to see 2 shows. I just don't know if I should see Ragtime because I saw the original or see something that I have not seen.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:45am

I agree with My Oh My about the original production of RAGTIME being cluttered and visually over produced. If I had the time and the money I would see the current production to give it another chance. Perhaps if it is still around in May, I will have another go of it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 10:52am

I can't even put into words how much I loved this production. I will say though that the only thing that disappointed me was Noll, who I usually love. The part just seemed too big for her. Maybe I'm just too used to the utter perfection that is Mrs. Mazzie, but after "Back to Before", I was unfortunately very underwhelmed. But a flawless production, nonetheless.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 11:04am

Mazzie might be perfection on the recording, but I had great issues with her live performance in the original. Her Mother lacked any warmth or caring. Her replacement, Donna Bullock, who I enjoyed more, was a better actress, but didn't have the voice.

Noll, who is now my favorite of the three, has the voice, and the requisite warmth and charm.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 11:07am

adam, while i completely respect your opinion, it's completely wrong. lol (just kidding). :)

I actually loved Mazzie in the role and live, on cd, on bootleg dvd, I just find her to be the best. I'm so happy everyone's loving Noll though because I really do love her and am excited to see what she does with Mother as time goes by.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 12:16pm

"My biggest problem with the book is the abrupt and complete transformation that Tateh has from poor immigrant to wealthy film director."

But doesn't this serve to emphasise the point that Tateh's experience is the American Dream, particularly in contrast to Coalhouse's experience?

Ragtime deals in metaphor - I have tended to assume this is one of them.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 8:28pm

This productions really does sound exciting. I'm glad to see that it's in excellent shape. This show deserves to have a minimal production that let's the score, book, and performers shine. It is looking to me like that is exactly what it got. Was the cut verse in "Crime of the century" put back in?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/1/09 at 8:37pm

So, everyone who likes a show that you don't is a shill? I'll make note of that.

I'm glad that people are enjoying this revival. Based on reviews we may have some serious competition for "Best Revival" come June between this and Finian's.