It's official! The Neil Simon Thatre, which was home to Hairspray, has found a new show ! The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' recent all-new and critically acclaimed production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Ragtime, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel, featuring direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, will begin Broadway previews Oct. 23 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Opening is Nov. 15. This is suppose to be an amazing musical and I'm glad the theatre that belonged to Hairspray will be home to a classic show.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/13073...oadway_Oct._23_

This is fantastic news - I'm already mentally casting.

Wasn't it only on Broadway like ten years ago? I think it may be a little soon.

Ten years isn't as soon as other shows that have been revived recently like Gypsy and Les Miserables.

^I had the same reaction with those too. I figured that Gypsy was only revived because of Patti Lupone.

^Ragtime had a very short run. Many (including myself) felt it should have lasted longer than it did. I agree that the revival of Les Miz was a little too soon (though I still went to see it when Lea Salonga arrived), but I don't think Ragtime's is at all, considering its all-too-brief run in the first place.

I don't know too much about the show except Brian Stokes Mitchel was in it and many people thought it was robbed at the Tony's. I thought it ran a little longer. But I think it will probaly get best revivial.

This is great news! I'm so excited to see this!

I am so thrilled to see this show return to Broadway!! I saw the original production (not the original cast though) and it was simply fantastic!! The score is unbelievably great, one of the best I've ever heard.

HECK YES!!!!!!!!

Casting has been announced:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/13230...way%27s_Ragtime

Love Stephanie Umoh.

Yes! I'm so excited for this!!

This one is a must see for my NY trip next year.

The ICBH

My dad said that he'll pay for one show a month so this is my october one..can't wait to see it! I loved their Broadway on Broadway performance and I can't wait to see Stephanie Umoh in it.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/ready-ragtime...ival-rehearsal/

Saw it tonight and I don't even know what to type. This production is astonishing. I thought that everyone in the cast was perfection. I know it's early but if this doesn't win best revival I will be so upset.

GO SEE IT!!

Amazing article on Stephanie Umoh http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/arti...ng_lady/?page=2

I listened to Ragtime for the first time yesterday, and I fell in love!! I totally cried twice, just from listening to the music, so I can only imagine how seeing it live is. The music and story is gorgeous!

I saw it again last night..i have a problem lol...if it was even possible it's better than it was a week ago..i'm having a hard time saying one bad thing about this production..i also can't think of a nicer cast..they're all so great. I was a sobbing mess at the end of both acts

Alex Brightman, Chelsea Krombach, Kenway Kua, Laura Woyasz and a few other cast members from WICKED were there as well as Peter Gregus and Dominic Nolfi from JERSEY BOYS

I never need to see another show again after seeing this.

I am really excited for this show. I really want to find out if/when they will be doing a cast recording!!!

Mamie Parris will be on as Mother 1/9 through 1/10. Of course, I get back to NY on 1/11. I have a feeling she'll be terrific.

I'm lottoing until I win that weekend and if I don't win on Sunday then I'm going to buy a rear mezz ticket. I told her I'd be there and I can't wait!

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/13554...ose-Jan.-3-2010

Ragtime will close on 1/3. VERY sad news.

Damn it. I was hoping to see it in March/April even though I knew it probably wouldn't be open then.

Love Never Dies will likely be the next show at the Neil Simon Theatre.

I'm shocked. I had no idea ticket sales were so low.

The ICBH

After just seeing Christiane Noll's performances on The View this news just broke my heart.

Such a shame... it was a beautiful show and deserved a longer run.
If anyone has the chance to see it before Sunday, GO.

legit can't handle this..i was around people when I found out and tried so hard to keep the tears in..devastating

This is the most ridiculous closing of a show all year, this does not deserve such a downfall.

I'll be at closing, sobbing hysterically through the entire show.

Rob me too..the opening image is going to kill me..and i completely agree with the rest of your post

Seriously, this is not funny. I'm coming to Broadway for the first time on the 4th of January, and suddenly all different kinds of shows are closing on the third

And I really wanted to see Ragtime. ARGH

Agreed completely. I'll be there on Sunday as well - it's going to be such a sad day.

OMIGOD, THAT OPENING IMAGE IS GOING TO KILL ME.



I hope to see you.

if anyone can help with lotto on Sunday (they pull at 1:30) i'd be forever indebted to you

I'll be at the lotto on Sunday, and would be more than happy to help.

And Rob, I hope to see you too.

From Christiane's Twitter:

Sold out tonight -- turning people away!! Where were all these people BEFORE we said we were closing! Thrilled to go out on a high though!


Edit:

Someone from The Guilty Ones posted this: I heard from a friend that today's lotto crowd covered an entire block, and people were turned away from entering the lotto. Insanity. This is why they should have given more notice that they were closing...

it's extending a week till 1/10..i can't post the article at the moment

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/13558...dway-to-Jan.-10

YESSSS. I may lotto late next week... though it'll prolly be insanely packed.

So, desperate need to see this show now!!! I'm trying to find tickets for the last show perhaps... Ticketmaster gives me the Front Mezz row E, 1-3 or row F 123-124. I can also get Orchestra O 16-18. Any thoughts? I don't want to depend on the lotto, although front row (?) would be unbelievable.

I went and saw this again the other day because I couldn't imagine it closing without going to see it one more time. I especially wanted to see Quentin as Coalhouse since I missed out on him the first time I went (though his understudy was really great). He was incredible and gives an extremely powerful and emotional performance. I know it's been said countless times but it really is a shame this is closing before more people could get to New York to see it. It was seriously one of the most captivating pieces of theatre I've ever seen.

And I'd like to marry Bobby Steggert, please. (:

Elphahaba: Go for mezz, so you can get the full view of everything from above. You could lotto, but who knows how many people will show up to lotto the final show on Sunday.

Updates:

I've been seeing the show a lot this week and this is what I know/have heard:

Mamie Parris is fierce as Mother and had her put in tonight.

I saw the understudies for the Little Boy and Girl Thursday evening, because Sarah and Christopher called out (and watched the show from the mezz) to let their understudies go on.

The show is being filmed for Lincoln Center tonight, which is also Christiane Noll's final performance.

No word on anything close to an extension, but I have a little hope still left in me.

Also, lotto has been crazy, but they have been offering 'lotto loser' seats for thirty-two fifty to all those who lotto and don't win. Location varies: I've sat rear orchestra and right mezz for that lovely price.

If you can, see Ragtime. It's an amazing show and deserves to go out with a bang. -BANG!- Weeee!

The show will be filmed January 8 for the for the Lincoln Center Archives.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/RAGTI...chives_20100108

I won the lottery for the Wednesday matinee and oh my god. It was phenomenal. My body physically hurt afterwards. I can't believe it's closing.. I'm just lucky I had the chance to see it at all.

If you don't win lottery, do the $32.50 seats. Amazing show.

Omg, Sara - you were there? Why didn't I see you!? Hahahah.

Only if I can marry Quentin ;-)

Saw the show last night, Mamie was wonderful as Mother. Going again today

Gahhh you were there? Were you at the lottery? I was the 2nd to last name called.

No, I overslept the lottery lol. Oops.
I was in the center front orch though. I can't believe I didn't see you!!!

Will the filming be available for us "normal" fans to see? Or just archiving? I'm a bit confused...

I ended up seeing the show on the evening of the 9th from ORCH P 5/6. AMAZING show. It was an amazing show and by far the best audience of the whole week (probably because it was closing the last day). From the moment the curtain rose and the whole cast stood there... unbelievable. Highlights for me were 'Your Daddy's Song', and the Mother in general, played by Mamie Parris. Also, I saw quite some children in shows this week, but this Son was by far the best.

I am glad I had a chance to experience this show with this cast live in the theatre. I wish everyone had a chance to see it.