Giving the Nation a new syncopation, the people called it Ragtime...

[neverwhere]

I just got back from the new London production of one of the best musicals ever made, Ragtime. I love this show. I saw the original Toronto cast in 1997 before the writers altered the script and changed a few of the songs for Broadway, and fell utterly, madly in love. The songs are just glorious, full of passion and meaning, and the story is completely engaging, ensnaring the audience and making you really care about every single person on stage. And there is no finer show for chorus numbers -- I love Les Mis as much as anyone, but it's nothing compared to Ragtime -- when all the people gather on stage it's not because the song would sound better with more voices, it's because they really feel the same anguish and joy and love as the others, the stage positively radiates with their shared emotions. It's an absolutely amazing sight. For the London production the entire show had to be re-staged, because there weren't any theatres large enough to accommodate the lavish sets of the original version. But I thought it was even better without them -- having a bare stage and the orchestra on a balcony above brought an intimacy that was lacking in the original, and made you focus more on the story, which is of course what it's all about. After the show there was a Q & A session with the actors who played Mother, Father and Tateh (who looked exactly like Adrian Brody *winks at brandybuck and mrs_puppethead ;-), and I got to gush at them about how wonderful the show is, and how they shouldn't worry about being compared to the Broadway version (as some careless person had asked about earlier), as both productions were brilliant in their own way, and I couldn't have enjoyed myself more, which made them all grin hugely and give me a round of applause. Wheee!
So that was fun. :)


I have a new toy that is completely taking over my life. Yes, that's right -- I am now the proud owner of a Playstation 2. Fear me. *giggles*
I was going to write a long ramble about my current addiction to Kingdom Hearts, but I just can't be bothered. Suffice to say -- it owns me. ;-)


Happy birthday ladydarkrose, and welcome new friend inblackink! *happy smooches*


WillnotthinkaboutBushBlairandinsanephoneywar. Nononono. *chants with fingers in ears*


Oh, and Kiss Me. I'm Irish. *beams proudly* :)

Comments

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

I'd love to be in any production of Ragtime, sucky or otherwise. *grins*

Who are you playing? I'd be a brilliant Emma Goldman. :)

Re:

[gilneas.livejournal.com]

I'm costume designing :) I made twenty-one skirts over my Spring Break and am about to dive into Mother's costume.

You would be an amazing Emma Goldman :) 'He Wanted to Say' is one of my favorite songs in the show.

damn, now I have to go listen to it.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

It's one of my favourites too! (Oh, hell, they're ALL my favourites ;-) It's just so passionate and truthful and utterly tragic...just like the whole show really. :)

You brave soul, making all those outfits. I could never do that, I always make sure to give the costumers lots of hugs (and usually alchohol ;-) to thank them for all their hard work.

Re:

[gilneas.livejournal.com]

Wow, would I LOVE the cast if they gave me hugs and alcohol.

Mostly they just tell me what their costume should look like, and then complain when it isn't what they want *sigh*

Re:

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Hehehe...well, I always save the really good stuff for the stage managers, as I've been one many times and know what a bitch it can be. But without them, there'd be no show! So they get whisky. *grins*