I had A LOT of build-up going into this show. Several of my friends had been big fans of it for years, and I’d always kind of been the one to say, “Well, it’s not THAT good.” I’m not quite sure why I never fell in love with the recording. I think it was partly because the story was just *so* American, and I have a natural aversion to things like that. Whatever the case, I was curious to see it, but not overly excited.
I was pretty much familiar with the opening scene, having seen it on the Tonys and other performances over the past year or so. It is really a wonderful number, and I love all the symbolism in it. I had never heard anyone but the original cast singing these songs, so it took a little getting used to, but overall I think the New York cast at this time was really wonderful. I especially enjoyed Donna Bullock as Mother, John Dossett as Father, and Monica Richards, the understudy, as Sarah. The visual aspect of the show was just amazing. One of my absolute favourite parts was the image of J.P. Morgan on the bridge crushing the immigrants beneath him. It is such a powerful moment!
 (at the Seussical cast party) |
I didn’t particularly enjoy the dancing in Gettin’ Ready Rag. It seemed a little out of place. However, the whole scene where Father comes home from the North Pole was hilarious! I hadn’t expected it to be quite so funny. Alton Fitzgerald White’s “No!” once Sarah was killed was one of the most chilling things I’ve ever heard. I almost started to cry during “Till We Reach That Day”. Overall, I enjoyed the first act, but I found it moved a little slowly. I’m not sure where they could have cut it though.
The pacing in Act Two was much better. Coalhouse Demands was a great scene, and What a Game is a nice little diversion. The Atlantic City scene just struck me as a little odd…I’m not quite sure why, but again, it just seemed like it didn’t quite fit. I really enjoyed the scenes with Mother and Tateh. Sarah Brown Eyes is a beautiful scene, and I think I cried there. Donna Bullock’s Back to Before was beautiful. |
I think probably my biggest disappointment of the night was Alton Fitzgerald White’s “Make Them Hear You”…he had been impressing me up to that point, but just when I was ready for a big finish it didn’t happen. I did, however, still cry when he got shot, and I *sobbed* at the end when the Little Coalhouse runs on stage…that is such a sweet moment!!
I didn’t stage door the show this night, but I did have the unique opportunity of getting to talk to Steve Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens about it after I’d seen it! And this is one case, where I will definitely eat my prior words, and say that I love Ragtime as much as everybody else does. 🙂
“I saw Ragtime last night!”
“It’s a great show, isn’t it? I wish I was in it.”
Me and Erick Devine, who played J.P. Morgan
“So what did you think of it? And don’t feel any pressure just because the composer’s in the next room.”
Someone else at the Seussical workshop, the next day
The cast: (in order of appearance)
|
The Little Boy |
ANTHONY BLAIR HALL |
|
Father |
JOHN DOSSETT |
|
Mother |
DONNA BULLOCK |
|
Mother’s Younger Brother |
SCOTT CAROLLO |
|
Grandfather |
TOM TONER |
|
Coalhouse Walker Jr. |
ALTON FITZGERALD WHITE |
|
Sarah |
MONICA L. RICHARDS |
|
Booker T. Washington |
TOMMY HOLLIS |
|
Tateh |
JOHN RUBINSTEIN |
|
The Little Girl |
ELIZABETH LUNDBERG |
|
Harry Houdini |
JIM CORTI |
|
J.P. Morgan |
ERICK DEVINE |
|
Henry Ford |
LARRY DAGGETT |
|
Emma Goldman |
JUDY KAYE |
|
Evelyn Nesbit |
JANINE LaMANNA |
|
Stanford White |
KEVIN BOGUE |
|
Harry K. Thaw |
COLTON GREEN |
|
Admiral Peary |
ROD CAMPBELL |
|
Matthew Henson |
DUANE MARTIN FOSTER |
|
Judge |
ERICK DEVINE |
|
Foreman |
TOM TONER |
|
Reporter |
JEFFREY KUHN |
|
Kathleen |
ANN VAN CLEAVE |
|
Policeman |
LARRY DAGGETT |
|
Doctor |
PAUL HARMAN |
|
Child Buyer |
PAUL HARMAN |
|
Policeman |
COLTON GREEN |
|
Sarah’s Friend |
TINA FABRIQUE |
|
Trolley Conductor |
GORDON STANLEY |
|
Willie Conklin |
DAVID MUCCI |
|
Fireman |
JEFFREY KUHN |
|
Brigit |
ANNE L. NATHAN |
|
Conductor |
JOE LOCARRO |
|
Town Hall Bureaucrat |
LARRY DAGGETT |
|
2nd Bureaucrat |
ANN VAN CLEAVE |
|
Clerk |
JEFFREY KUHN |
|
Black Lawyer |
DUANE MARTIN FOSTER |
|
Reporters |
ROD CAMPBELL, GORDON STANLEY |
|
Welfare Official |
ANN VAN CLEAVE |
|
Baron’s Assistant |
ANNE L. NATHAN |
|
Gang Member |
DUANE MARTIN FOSTER |
|
Pas de Deux |
JACQUELYN HODGES, KEITH LAMELLE THOMAS |
|
Charles S. Whitman |
GORDON STANLEY |
|
Little Coalhouse |
LANDEL THORMAN |
|
Ensemble |
JAMES D. BEEKS |