Review: Ragtime (2025 revival)

I saw Ragtime in Los Angeles in 1997. I liked it a lot but I remember being slightly annoyed by some of the songs that Tateh and Houdini sang.

I few weeks ago I saw the Tiny Desk concert of the cast singing a few songs and it was incredible. Tickets were extraordinarily expensive for a Friday showing at the Vivian Beaumont Theate at the Lincoln Center but I decided it would probably be worth it.

My dad recommended I also read the book. So I listened to the audio recording in the weeks before show. The audio book was fantastic and I enjoyed the narrator. Later I learned that E. L. Doctorow actually narrated it himself.

Every single member of the cast was a star. I have never seen a show where absolutely every cast member was so incredible. Joshua Henry was on another level though. Hard to describe how good he was. But there were multiple standing ovations during the show- not at the end of the act or the end of the show- but mid-act standing ovations!

I liked Tateh and Houdini much better this time also. And one of their songs from 1997 has been cut in this version. I didn't remember the opening song being so emotional and staged so well. Lion King is the only other musical I can think of with such a strong opening. Unfortunately Lion King is pretty horrible after the first 10 minutes. Ragtime stays great the whole way through.

Review: 2025/2025