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The Journey To Revival
Ragtime is based on the novel of the same name by Edgar Lawrence Doctorow and tells the story of a musician in Harlem, the matriarch of a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant family, and a Jewish Latvian immigrant. A number of well known historical figures, such as Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Booker T. Washington, and Henry Ford, among others also make an appearance in it.
The musical had a world premiere on Dec 8, 1996 at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto. This Centre is now known as the Toronto Centre for the Arts. The premiere was followed by its debut on Broadway on Jan 18, 1998 after a pre-Broadway tryout in Los Angeles. Ragtime was the first production at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, New York, after its renovation. The Ford Centre is now known as the Hilton Theatre.
This Frank Galati directed and Graciela Danielle choreographed musical ran for 2 years and closed after 834 performances on Jan 16, 2000. It was lavishly produced but was not successful financially. The production, with a budget of $11 million, included fireworks and a working Model T Ford automobile. The reviews of the time state that the production had problems with the script.
However, the musical was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, the highest nomination for any production in 1998, including for the Best Musical. It won 4 Tonys: Best Featured Actress - Audra McDonald, Original Score - Stephen Flaherty (for Music) and Lyn Ahrens (for Lyrics), Book - Terrence McNally, and Orchestration - William David Brohn.
The Return
This wonderful musical started its return journey to Broadway by its new production at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, Washington DC. This production, directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge ran from April 18, 2009 through May 17, 2009.
Following these performances, Ragtime took the stage at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway for its first preview on Oct 25, 2009.
The Tickets
Tickets for performances on Broadway are always at a premium and you would require booking them well in advance. It is difficult procuring tickets if the shows are popular and in high demand. Same is the case with the revival shows of Ragtime.
You can procure your tickets for this musical directly from the box office of Neil Simon Theatre. However, you can never be sure that they will be available by the time you reach the window.
Alternately, you can purchase your tickets for your favorite show through the licensed ticket brokers who deal with Broadway shows and other performances in New York. They will ensure that you receive the tickets for the show of your choice and get them delivered to your home.
Al writes online articles for New York City entertainment as well as Ragtime Broadway Articles. His articles provide reviews on shows and resource for getting seats to events such as Ragtime Broadway information and news.
