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

Adrien lookalikes always of the good.

[mrs-puppethead.livejournal.com]

I have not a speck of Irish blood, but I've got some Scottish which makes me pretty close to Billeh (*cough*) so do I get a kiss back?

[linawen.livejournal.com]

Playstation 2 takes over everyone's lives....he he he...

Hm, it seems everyone is irish today... =)

[meretia]

I'm so glad it's got another chance! I adore Ragtime, and from what I hear, it died rather suddenly on Broadway. I never really understood why. I preferred the "Songs from Ragtime" concept album to the way it was staged in New York, but it was still a stunning show. I want to go to Mexico with Mother's Younger Brother, so that we can stage a very early Bonnie-and-Clyde-style crime wave on our way down. Because goldarnit, if I'm too late to corrupt him, I should at least be allowed to spend some time teaching him to indulge that corruption.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

I'm Irish everyday! I just don't get to shout about it. ;-)

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

I never understood it either, especially when shite like Cats runs for 25 years. *gag*

I prefer the concept album too, that's the show I saw -- the Toronto version, before they changed it for Broadway. The changes are mostly subtle, its true, but I still prefer the original.

*laughs* I'm sure Mother's Younger Brother would definately have appreciated the tuition. ;-)

Re: Adrien lookalikes always of the good.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

You would get a kiss back anyway! *snog* :D

[airemay.livejournal.com]

I'm trying veryhardnottothinkofthewar but it isn't working. :(

[silverowlwings.livejournal.com]

*kisses you because you're Irish and ever-so lovely* :)

[gilneas.livejournal.com]

oooh! Ragtime! I am very jealous :)

I've been watching "The Making of Ragtime" video a friend lent me over and over lately.. and wow. It is amazing. The production we're doing here isn't won't suck too much, I hope.

[jrivka.livejournal.com]

-kisses-

[illiterate.livejournal.com]

Weirdly, I have a friend who played the little girl in Ragtime. Bet you saw her in Toronto. That show holds such a special place in my heart because I know most of the original cast and because I saw it so many times. Oh... so wonderful. It left me with a burning desire to be Evelyn Nesbit.

[etesian.livejournal.com]

*plays Holly Valance - Kiss Kiss for Nevvie*

Kiss Kiss You, You're Irish *g*

[eyre-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

Ragtime was the last musical that I saw in Toronto, years ago. I loved it so much! I just wish I could remember it, because I seem to have forgotten nearly all of it, except that I loved it.

BTW, Happy St Patrick's Day!

May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
Quick to make friends.
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Then you must come to London ASAP and refresh your memory. ;-)

Happy St Paddy's Day to you too my sweet. Although you're Italian. So uhmmm, mangia! *giggles*

[anoronwen.livejournal.com]

Amen! Today we get to flaunt our Irish-ness! :D

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Eeee!

*nuzzlenosekissies*

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

*blushes happily*

Thank youuuuu!

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it. *sighs wearily*

Am tryingeversohard not to be terrified out of my mind.

[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.

[wreibyn.livejournal.com]

*does the happy Nevvie dance with Nevvie*

i'm not exactly sure how much Irish i have in me... but i've got some somewhere down the line, after all, my great-grandparents came from the UK.. okies...

*sends kisses to the Irish hobbity-lass*

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

i would love to play evelyn nesbit, too!

she's just the greatest part!

[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.

[mlfoley.livejournal.com]

*SAH-MOOCH!*

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

i saw ragtime at a theatre conference in february... done with a bunch of high schoolers. even with a bunch of high schoolers, it was SO AMAZING.

i would love to be evelyn nesbit. hehe.

ahaha, what's funny is that i have all of ONE irish guy in my ancestry, any you know what? he moved from scotland. to ireland. and then to georgia. how about THAT for irishman? lol.