Ragtime Broadway Opening Night Video

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

"Ragtime is one of the most amazing pieces of music theatre in recent history-and probably ever. Montego Glover from Memphis A show with so much heart, and with a story to tell. It's our American history," says an excited Montego Glover on the red carpet opening for the Broadway revival of Ragtime. Ms. Glover has earned critical raves for her outstanding work in Memphis, and is quickly becoming a Broadway favorite. On a star-studded Broadway night, the new Ragtime revival opened and Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there to bring you some of the excitement.

"I've never seen the show," smiled Marin Mazzie with Brian Stokes Mitchell by her side. The two starred in the original Broadway production of Ragtime, and were on the red carpet at the opening of the eagerly awaited revival.

"I saw it once," recalls Brian with a smile, "but then I can't remember anything. It's going to be great watching it afresh."

"A lot of memories, I think," adds Marin, "A lot of memories are going to be flooding through us."

"I love this musical. I love the score. It's a wonderful musical, I've seen it like three times," says Mario Cantone.

"I love the play," says actor Richard Kind, who was part of an exceptionally festive red carpet opening.

"I hear word of mouth that it's ten times better than the original. I can't believe that-ten times better! That's exciting," enthuses beloved actress Doris Roberts. Ms. Roberts and other stars noted that both the original Broadway production and the new revival are finding success with different approaches.

"I've actually seen this before," says Congressman Barney Frank, "It's a wonderful combination of good politics and good cultural and economic history and wonderful theatre. Terrance McNally did a great job of taking a serious book which is also entertaining and translating it onto the stage."

The revival first came to life in Washington D.C., and national political figures such as Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi were on hand with the other stars to celebrate the Broadway arrival of Ragtime. Ms. Pelosi's presence was a point of interest for one of the red carpet stars.

"I had no idea that Nancy Pelosi was in the show.She comes in there's this amazing number in the second act, where she comes in to sing about the need for universal healthcare in the 20's," quips comedian Mo Rocca. For the record, Ms. Pelosi does not actually appear in Ragtime.

Mad Men star Bryan Batt has a unique connection to this production of Ragtime. Not only does he know some of the creative team professionally, he also grew up with one of the show's stars. Savanah Wise who plays Evelyn Nesbit grew up with Bryan Batt.

"I've known her since she was born," Bryan says on the red carpet.

"Tonight we're here for my good friend Marcia Milgrom Dodge," shares Kathie Lee Gifford. Ms. Dodge is the creative force behind this revival and has earned accolades from opening night critics for her ability to bring a fresh perspective to this epic musical.

"All I've heard is what she's done with this is incredible," Seinfeld star Jason Alexander shares on the red carpet, who also knows Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

"It's kind of wild to see the revival of a show that I saw when I was here beginning my career," Broadway great Brian D'Arcy James grins on the red carpet. Time flies! With a successful opening night and an arsenal of positive reviews, this revival of Ragtime is poised to be around come Tonytime.

Watch the entire video feature of the Ragtime opening night red carpet, right here on Broadway.tv.