The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
#1The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 6:43pm
The rumors about "Ragtime," which opened on Nov. 15 to mixed reviews, began in earnest early this month, as poor ticket sales failed to cover performance costs, let alone chip away at the producers�¢?? original $8 million investment in the show. Over the last two weeks, though, "Ragtime" as increased its weekly gross by 11 percent from that weak start. That said, the lead producers of "Ragtime" are veteran Broadway businessmen, and they say they will not keep the show running if there is clearly no audience for it.
Kevin McCollum, a lead producer, said that while he did not see a conspiracy to damage his show specifically with rumors, he believed that they were driven in large part by real estate competition.
"I think part of the online worry buzz is stoked by the fact that "Ragtime's" supporters are more ardent, embattled and likely to go on chat boards or post on blogs trying to drum up support for their show," Mr. Cote said, "but that has a backlash effect. It only highlights the fact that the show has niche support."
A very interesting read!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/26/theater/26ragtime.html?_r=2&hpw
Updated On: 12/25/09 at 06:43 PM
Brick
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
#2re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 7:17pm
Very interesting. And it does seem true of the Catch-22 of the discussion itself. Supporters coming out to promote it are driven by the rumours, and both the rumours and the supporters' cheers give the production buzz - but a production with an audience doesn't need Save This Show buzz.
That said, it seems some shows do truly build an audience. I remember Spring Awakening took awhile to find an audience, complete with New York Times article about their struggle.
whatever2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/25/06
#2re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 7:37pmso let me see if i've got this right: bobby steggert (who imho is both a terrific actor and a total babe!) tweets a couple of weeks ago that, "it's now or never" for Ragtime, yet simultaneously can't understand the internet rumors about a possible closing???
"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)
#3re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 7:41pmSo glad this article exists. Gave me hope. Positive vibes in the universe.
#4re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 8:25pm
while he did not see a conspiracy to damage his show specifically with rumors
Oh, the irony.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
#5re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 8:30pmDid Ragtime really open to "mixed reviews"? If I didn't know otherwise, this article might put me off the show ("It got mixed reviews and people aren't coming to see it...it mustn't be worth seeing").
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#6re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 10:02pmIt got almost across the board raves. It's nice to see that their weekly grosses & overall attendance are increasing. I'm really hoping for a huge number for this week. I just really want this show to stick around until the Tony's at least. It deserves at least a few awards.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#7re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 10:03pmBobby Steggert certainly deserves an award.
BillFinn
Broadway Star Joined: 10/26/03
#8re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 11:08pmI'm confused. I thought people thought Ragtime was closing because of Michael Riedel's article? Was it started by the chat boards or Mr. Riedel?
Bill Finn rocks. Woot.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#9re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/25/09 at 11:35pm
"They did not teach Broadway Gossip 101 at his Maryland High School"
I guess the writer of the article was not a member of a high school Drama Club.
#10re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/26/09 at 1:09amVery interesting article, indeed. I love this show so much and hope that it gets what it deserves come Tony time. All I can say is a nice "Keep up the good work!" to all of those over at the Neil Simon Theatre.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#11re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/26/09 at 11:28am
>It got almost across the board raves.<
I have to disagree with this. It had some raves, certainly, but the reviews on the whole were not anything close to "across the board raves". The reviews from the New York Times, New York Post, Newsday, Time Out New York, The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal - all major sources - were either qualified or mixed.
Looking at the current season, Finian's Rainbow and Fela! I would say got much more to what I would term across the board raves.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
Fanb
Featured Actor Joined: 12/4/09
#12re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/26/09 at 11:01pmThe New York Times, anyway, was mixed. But I definitely hope this show holds on. The score is spectacular and Christiane Knoll is luminous as Mother.
#13re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/26/09 at 11:05pmWell, "Ragtime" has its share of supporters. I was hearing Christine Pedi (in her radio show with Seth R. in the Sirius-XM "A Couple of Dueling Divas") today. She absolutely LOVES it and considers it her favorite show of 2009. from RC in Austin, Texas
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#14re: The NY Times on the RAGTIME closing rumors....
Posted: 12/27/09 at 11:18am
http://criticometer.blogspot.com/2009/11/ragtime.html
Looks like RAGTIME opened to predominantly favourable notices. 5 mixed, 0 negatives, and one pan (but from Matthew Murray at Talkin' Broadway, so it's not a legitimate review)
Beyond reviews, the problem is ticket prices. If all seats were at the rates they were 10 years ago RAGTIME, FINIAN'S RAINBOW and others would be selling out. In this economy people cannot afford $135 tickets week after week and it becomes a quarterly/semi annual experience for anyone but the mavens. And they support their habit with Lottery/rush tickets (or manage to get comps.)
I know Broadway shows have huge nuts to crack but until a show is established, the big challenge it to get the theatres filled and let people spread the word.
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Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
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