Ragtime... the Novel!!!

Ok, I really have to stop with these Ragtime related posts, but I just can't resist.  So I bought the book that the musical is based on, and the book is every bit as good as the show! With movies that are based on books, its almost guaranteed that Hollywood will bastardize the plot so much to a point that people will be forced to say "Well, the book is much better than the movie". But with live theater, I hold it true that the theatrical version of a book is always as good, if not better than the original.

Ragtime, for example, is EXCELLENT. Wicked by Gregory Maguire is an absolutely abhorrent novel, but the musical version is absolutely stellar (no matter how much of a sell-out it is).  Cabaret the Musical is based off of a play called I Am a Camera which in turn is based on a novel called The Berlin Stories.  The only exception I can find to this golden rule of theater was Lestat by Anne Rice, but the reason for that is that Elton John is the one who got ahold of the musical, so that's why it was such a red-hot tranny mess.

But back to the point, Ragtime the novel is excellent and the musical really worked to keep the original plot without missing very much at all.  The novel is so good because it really goes in-depth to show exactly how terrifying, yet exhilarating , a changing country can be.  I feel like it very much reflects the kinds of things that are happening in the US some hundred years later.

Creators of Ragtime

Here are Ahrens and Flaherty discussing the creation of Ragtime, my favorite musical.  Hopefully they will get that cast recording out for the revival asap!!!

Ragtime at Belmont University

Usually I wouldn't care about some college's production of Ragtime, but good God, is this good.  While it may not be very aesthetically pleasing, it sounds phenomenal.  Just watch the opening number:




Incredible! There is so much talent in this show, it almost physically ails me.  The girl who plays Sarah just blew me away with her performance of "Your Daddy's Son": 





And the act one finale is enough to make my head want to explode. It is so rare that you can find an amateur production of this show that actually has the vocal talent for all of these songs.





Now, the lighting designs are not my favorite.  A little too obtuse and in-your-face for me.  Although, there are a few that I think are extremely effective.  Check out the button at the end of "He Wanted to Say".  I really like how it looks.  





Ragtime is a musical that is based off a famous novel.  It is the story of three different families from three different classes all making their way through the turn of the century in the United States.  It's one of my favorites because the music is so pretty and powerful and it really takes a perspective look at the "American Dream".  It opened up on Broadway in 1998 with Audra MacDonald as Sarah Brown Eyes.  It closed eventually, after a successful run.  Luckily though, there is a revival in the works and will be opening up on Broadway very soon!  I couldn't be more excited about this one!  Here is the finale to the production at Belmont University.  Again, not very pleasing to the eyes, but it sounds phenomenal: