61 posts
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Post by dgjbear on Oct 19, 2016 11:42:36 GMT
Which cast recording is the one worth buying, as there seem to several? Original Broadway Cast recording is the best |
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Oct 19, 2016 11:44:43 GMT
The Broadway OCR is the one to have. There is an earlier recording with basically the same cast - I think the Emma Goldman is different - that was recorded in Toronto (where it premiered) before it went to Broadway and it's of some interest because it contains a song that was later cut - a duet for Evelyn Nesbitt and Harry Houdini.
Is there a Broadway Revival cast recording? If so I haven't heard it.
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2,677 posts
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Post by viserys on Oct 19, 2016 14:33:44 GMT
The Broadway OCR is the one to have. There is an earlier recording with basically the same cast - I think the Emma Goldman is different - that was recorded in Toronto (where it premiered) before it went to Broadway and it's of some interest because it contains a song that was later cut - a duet for Evelyn Nesbitt and Harry Houdini. Is there a Broadway Revival cast recording? If so I haven't heard it. Yes, there is one from 2009 with Highlights. I much prefer it since I can't deal with Audra McDonald's overwrought shouting on the OBC. |
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Oct 19, 2016 15:11:44 GMT
Tempted to book for this after the positive reviews on here but I saw the Piccadilly Theatre production and didn't like it at all. So I was reluctant to sit through the show again. Clearly the problem was more with the production than the show itself?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 15:20:00 GMT
I think the ES 2 star review is being generous
It's like being slapped in the face by a civil rights movement
Too much of it is repetitive
The staging is generic low budget musical fayre
The singing borders on shouting
What a waste of a massive cast
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 15:24:33 GMT
PS
Left just now at the interval
Unbearable
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 15:46:35 GMT
The Standard review is a little harsh but I do agree with some of it. It's definitely too busy and the band can overpower the voices but it's certainly not a gruelling night at the theatre!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 16:09:30 GMT
Clearly the problem was more with the production than the show itself? Going by your experience, mine, and others on here, it does seem that the production really matters, yes, wickedgrin. Thanks dgjbear and mallardo for the advice, will do. So it's the 1998 cast CD with the Statue of Liberty on the front, right? Yes the OBCR has the Statue Of Liberty on the cover and is 2 cd's. |
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4,977 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 19, 2016 20:36:05 GMT
The Standard review is a little harsh but I do agree with some of it. It's definitely too busy and the band can overpower the voices but it's certainly not a gruelling night at the theatre! That's the Evening Standard and Fiona Mountford for you. She seems to bey very dismissive and condescing to small productions and over generous to the big budget musicals. But then again I suppose it is all those adverts that pay for the paper. |
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Oct 19, 2016 22:38:12 GMT
Looking forward to getting to see this during one of my upcoming trips. Even moreso after hearing from my friend that her son is friends with the MD of the show (so now I can't not go, and can't not enjoy it).
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41 posts
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Post by cathyfromlex on Oct 20, 2016 0:01:54 GMT
Going by your experience, mine, and others on here, it does seem that the production really matters, yes, wickedgrin. Thanks dgjbear and mallardo for the advice, will do. So it's the 1998 cast CD with the Statue of Liberty on the front, right? Yes the OBCR has the Statue Of Liberty on the cover and is 2 cd's. I saw this on Broadway with the original cast. It really was an amazing production and, pre broadway.com, etc., I didn't fully appreciate the magnitude of all the "names" I was so lucky to have seen until years later. |
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677 posts
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Post by westendcub on Oct 20, 2016 9:25:37 GMT
Going tonight, signed up for rush tickets on Todaytix!
I had £10 credit so going for a tenner in stalls row H - feels a steel, I do not this musical at all so looking forward to it!
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61 posts
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Post by dgjbear on Oct 20, 2016 12:26:17 GMT
Going tonight, signed up for rush tickets on Todaytix! I had £10 credit so going for a tenner in stalls row H - feels a steel, I do not this musical at all so looking forward to it! Please tell us what you think when you've seen it. |
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677 posts
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Post by westendcub on Oct 20, 2016 23:05:25 GMT
What a splendid evening that was!!
I can't quite believer how this score has escaped me before and the show in general has passed me by before, so glad I went on a whim and got myself a rush ticket this morning (great seat FYI).
The performances are strong here, and I love actor/musicians pieces and it's brilliantly done here.
Just like with 'Titanic' the set is creative and staging on a small scale is effective.
I had a few tears in its final moments, really infused and engaged audience tonight - massive standing ovation (oh and Shelia Hancock was in the audience this evening).
'Titanic' is still winning Charing Cross season for me, I look forward now to 'Death takes a holiday'.
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225 posts
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Post by madsonmelo on Oct 21, 2016 1:16:28 GMT
Only seats available are on rows L and M for the dates that I can (Dec. 1-6) and for £40, should I take? Or should I wait for day seats?
I really like Ragtime, I don't know if in this actor-instrument concept will work for me.
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Oct 21, 2016 4:33:21 GMT
Only seats available are on rows L and M for the dates that I can (Dec. 1-6) and for £40, should I take? Or should I wait for day seats? I really like Ragtime, I don't know if in this actor-instrument concept will work for me.
Have no fear, the actor/muso thing totally works. The reduced orchestrations (Mark Aspinall) are brilliant and these actors can really play!
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2,041 posts
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Post by 49thand8th on Oct 21, 2016 16:06:03 GMT
The Standard review is a little harsh but I do agree with some of it. It's definitely too busy and the band can overpower the voices but it's certainly not a gruelling night at the theatre! I've only seen Ragtime once, years ago on tour, and that was basically how I felt about the show itself -- it's too much and tries too hard. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2016 17:10:59 GMT
I don't think the show is the problem, just the way the space was used with all the musicians. I preferred the Landor production and the was staged on the size of a stamp!
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968 posts
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Post by TheatreDust on Oct 23, 2016 11:16:01 GMT
I've now been to see this a couple of times. Although I haven't seen other productions of it, so have nothing else to compare it to, I absolutely loved it at Charing Cross - for me it has been one of the best things I've seen all year. I was a big fan of Titanic too, but this surpasses that in my view.
The actor-musician approach works really well and I particularly loved the way the two pianos are used throughout. The friend I saw it with yesterday generally doesn't like actor-muso shows because that aspect can feel a bit contrived, but said in this it works perfectly.
Others on here have commented on how full the stage was. Personally I loved how crowded and busy it felt - I thought that really brought to life the rush of immigration and 'nation building' that would have been happening at the time. The set was effective and felt as if it included a few signature touches from Thom Sutherland - moving sections with well-used upper levels.
I universally loved the cast - strong performances throughout. I've always loved Valerie Cutko and thought she was great as Emma Goldman; it was also wonderful to see Jennifer Saayeng as Sarah - I think I last saw her in Zanna Don't at the Landor. However, also wonderful performances from Anita Louise Coombe as Mother, Ako Mitchell as Coalhouse, Gary Tushaw as Tateh.
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637 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Oct 23, 2016 15:10:08 GMT
Having seen the matinee yesterday (22nd October), I have to (mostly) agree with the above post in how much I really, really enjoyed this. I have never seen the show before, but it has long been on my 'want to watch' list.
The running time absolutely flew by. The piece was absolutely beautifully directed (it was a delight to actually see Thom Southerland hovering around the theatre during the show), and I agree that the actor-musician concept worked brilliantly (though I am generally a fan of this). The score sounded so full. I did not feel that the stage felt cramped at all, and the staging matched the sprawling epic-ness of the material. The use of lighting was also atmospheric.
However, my one big qualm with the production is the singing. The score is lovely, and has moments of ravishing beauty, but I did not feel that the cast had the voices to do the songs justice. There were more than a few times that I felt that some of the performers were shouting rather than singing, and that this was replacing genuine emotion. This took me out of the show a few times, which was a real shame.
TITANIC is still winning for me. That had a beautiful production, beautiful score and beautiful singing.
4 stars.
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4,977 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 23, 2016 16:00:07 GMT
Cheers guys
Going to listen to this on my afternoon walk now.
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171 posts
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Post by musicalfloozie on Oct 25, 2016 18:50:11 GMT
I saw this last night and whilst I enjoyed it I didn't love it. Performances from Coalhouse and Mother were stunning and the staging was good, although sometimes as said previously a little busy on stage,it just didn't blow me away like Titanic did. I just can't put my finger on what was missing, maybe it was just me being slow but it just seemed very bitty with the storyline and as didn't flow easy in my mind maybe I missed something!! All in all though an enjoyable evening watching people give there all to a production.
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Oct 28, 2016 4:50:48 GMT
What's the running time please - sorry if this has been asked before 😀
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1,819 posts
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Post by stevej678 on Oct 28, 2016 7:08:36 GMT
What's the running time please - sorry if this has been asked before 😀 2 hours 40 mins including the interval.  |
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571 posts
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Post by westendwendy on Oct 31, 2016 23:27:03 GMT
Saw this tonight.
It is over staged, a tad too loud and in your face, too many cast on stage always, runs at 160 mph and doesn't really breathe but goodness THIS SHOW WAS AMAZING.
It was a sensational night at the theatre - wow wow wow!!!!
The singing wasn't perfect, the odd miss casting (Ako Mitchell as Coalhouse) but goodness there are talented people on this Charing Cross stage.
At 17.50 for the benches - it was the best musical of the year. 9/10
I've booked again to see it.
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