Customer Reviews

Rags, A New American Musical

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Rags," for the most part, has evolved into being no more than a footnote (if that) when discussing Broadway shows of the 1980's. In all fairness, its stay in New York was rather brief, and the show was largely dismissed by critics. However, the 1991 album, which features members of the original Broadway cast, turns out to be surprisingly pleasant. Julia Migenes sings the lead role of Rebecca with a soaring operatic soprano. While she hardly has the accent of Jewish immigrant, she is in fine voice and brings emotion and passion to her performance. Particularly outstanding is her signature song on the album, "Children Of The Wind." Terrence Mann is enticing as usual and brings raw sexual energy to "Wanting," one of the albums finest duets. Judy Kuhn also delivers an outstanding performance with her solo in the show's title number, "Rags." Marcia Lewis and Josh Blake are also in top-form, however, Larry Kent disappoints as Rebecca's husband, Nathan. He is neither convincing nor enthusiastic, much unlike his co-stars.

OK, so it was a Broadway flop with a run lasting a whole four days, but the storyline, characters and music will touch your life and stay with you. As a cast member of a recent production of this show I can say the music is not only challenging, but beutifully composed with a music theory that relates closely to the central themes of the play. This recording is very well done and includes songs that are no longer used in the production (Hard to be a Prince, Cherry Street Cafe, and Yankee Boy). I firmly believe this show would be a great success on Broadway with it's new script revisions and a strong cast.

When it first debuted on Broadway in 1986, the musical "Rags" was a major flop on all accounts: The reviews were savage and the show closed after only four performances. Written by Stephen Scwartz ("Wicked", "Pippin"), Charles Strouse ("Bye Bye Birdie", "Annie") and Joseph Stein ("Fiddler on the Roof"), "Rags" has one of the most beautiful and lush scores I've heard in the past 20 years. Thank God that a cast recording was made to preserve this breathtaking music!

The show opens in 1910, when Eastern European Jews fled to New York City to escape religious persecution and pogroms. Rebecca Hershkowitz (Julia Migenes for this recording; Teresa Stratas in the original Broadway production) arrives on Ellis Island with her son David (Josh Blake), hoping to find her husband, Nathan (the late, great Larry Kert), who has been in America for some time, trying to save up enough to send for them.

Also new to America is Avram Cohen (Dick Latessa) and his daughter Bella (a pre-"Les Mis" Judy Kuhn), who want a better life for themselves. Bella is in love with Ben Levitowitz (Lonny Price), who has also come to America in search of the riches the land is said to possess.

All of the immigrants go off to manual labor work at slave wages in sweatshops and with pushcarts. Saul (the wonderful Terrence Mann), a labor unionizer who wants to unionize the shop where Rebecca works, instantly falls in love with her, although the don't agree on any political issues. Rebecca is later reunited with her husband, now calling himself Nat Harris, who is working his way up in the ranks of the Democratic Party by doing dirty work.

Ms. Migenes, a trained opera singer, soars through the sweeping Schwartz/Strouse ballads, which are all thrilling. I did not see Ms. Stratas in the role, so I cannot compare performances, but I must say that Ms. Migenes sets the bar very high. "Children of the Wind" is harrowing and beautiful; "Blame it on the Summer Night" is sensual and breezy; and "Nothing Will Hurt Us Again" is heartstopping.

The rest of the ensemble, especially Ms. Kuhn (who has several knock-out numbers, including the title song) and Mr. Price, are all in top form.

Anybody who calls themself a musical theatre buff must own this recording!

I have not seen this show, and I've heard that the book was what made it flop, but oh, my! That music. I think "Rags" is my favorite song; Judy Kuhn is ridiculously talented. I've never heard so much sincere emotion poured into a song in my life, besides maybe John Cameron Mitchell or Bernadette Peters. I would recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys "epic" musicals with a bit of an emotional edge. I'm so glad I bought this CD, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite musical scores of all time. It has a bit of a Disney feel to it, which is unfortunate, but overall it's amazing, complex, heartfelt music.

This score is totally amazing! Terrance Mann is a God! I also adore Judy Kuhn's solo. Josh Blake sings rather well. However, the show stealer was none other than Julia! Just amazing! Buy it! The songs are so delightful, and the story is something that everyone can learn from.

I can`t understand that anyone could not like this wonderful and most beautiful score. I mean , honestly, which show of the 80s has provided such a great score, songs like "Children of the wind", "Rags", "The sound of Love". There`s everything included from lyrical Songs to Show-Stoppers. This Show should be revived as soon as possible!!

It took a couple years, but we have a recording of Rags! Not the Original B'Way Cast, but close [Teresa Sratas, nor Christine Andreas, her standby, have the lead]. I think this is one of Strouse's most haunting score. With melodies like 'Children of the wind' and 'Wanting', they stay in your head for days. There are still the show tunes like 'Three sunny rooms' and 'Yankee boy', but on the whole this is a wonderful CD for any musical collection. If you know Schwartz' work it's on a grand scale like 'The Baker's Wife', and his lyrics flow with Strouse's music very well.

I saw "Rags" on Broadway before its hasty demise and, yes, Teresa Stratas, did sing better than Migenes, who is pretty good. But the fact is that both are miscast as Eastern European Jewish immigrants who came to America in the early 20th century. I saw another supposedly rewritten "tighter" version of "Rags" several years later, off-Broadway. The book was slightly better, the score was the same, and the singing was uneven. But the crux of the problem is the muddle of a book. This was a mediocre musical with mobs of people on stage, mostly not knowing what to do. Despite the strong musical cues, there was no strong storyline. Certainly there is a wonderful germ of an idea for a great musical drama, but someone must write it. This great score deserves a show.

A marvellous piece of work which gives you melodious pieces of music ranging from klezmer to ragtime to marches and of course the standard Broadway showtune. Probably Charles Strouses most sophisticated score, since most his previous shows have been your regular tap along musicals like "ANNIE" and "BYE BYE BIRDIE." This C.D includes some exquisite performances by veterans like Terrance Mann, Judy Kuhn and Dick Latessa. Even though "RAGS" wasn't a success on Broadway, I'd highly recommend it, along with some of Strouse's other "flops" like "NICK AND NORA" and "IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN!"

This show's songs seem to have a cult following and it's easy to see why. The melodies are simply beautiful and/or catchy and the lyrics are often sharp. I think the political element of the show, as far as the CD goes, actually works. Nice and suprising to get some half-way accurate history; this isn't the usual Ellis Island idyll. I like the best of Webber and will tolerate even the worst of Sondheim (but only once in the case of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE), so that may help you decide if my tastes are trustworthy. That said, I can't imagine anyone who likes Broadway not enjoying this show.