“Welcome to Katz Reviews. This is Ed Katz of Katnip Marketing- marketing consultant by day; theater critic by night- bringing my weekly review segment, Katz Reviews, here for you on WICC 600.
Today I review Goodspeed Opera House’s new production of ‘Rags’- a musical from the mid-1980’s.
What? You say you never heard of it? That would mean you missed it’s run on Broadway. Well, it was easy to miss. You see, it ran for exactly 3 days before it closed. So, why revive a Broadway flop?
Director Rob Ruggiero and the creative team have done great work here overcoming several challenges, as they discovered Stein’s original story needed revamping to make it work. First problem? Stein died in 2010. So they brought in David Thompson and he, as Ruggiero noted, “refocused” the story on the character of Rebecca; played in a marvelous, captivating performance by Samantha Massell, who was on Broadway in 2015 in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ as Tevye’s daughter, Hodel. Massel is the heart of this show and her beautiful singing gives the musical score wings. She’s excellent!
While ‘Rags’ is an emotional roller coaster, it’s one you will want to ride on! The story is a winner; the best show of their season and worthy of a return to Broadway.
You won’t mind that it pulls at your heartstrings and, given it’s Halloween, I’ll add it’s no trick- it’s a real treat.
I give Goodspeed’s ‘Rags’ 4-and-a-half stars out of 5. It runs through December 10th. For tickets or more info, visit Goodspeed-dot-org.
Make the drive to East Haddam- see the fall foliage and see ‘Rags!’
Next week, with the holidays approaching, I revisit My Guide to Family shows on Broadway. I’ll tell you the shows to see with the kids- or grandkids- and two shows to avoid!
Catch my reviews right here this time each week and on my Facebook page and website, Katz Reviews dot com, where you will find all my WICC 600 reviews.
This is Ed Katz talking theater for WICC 600!”