Rags the Musical at Goodspeed Opera
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
October 14, 2017 3:45pm CST
I have a subscription to Goodspeed Opera House. Many shows have launched from here to Broadway. Wednesday evening was our final show "Rags".
Before we got there I had no idea what the show was about. It is the followup to Fiddler on the Roof. We meet some people from the village as they travel to New York.
In some ways this was a very disturbing show. It features anti-Semetism as well as some very disturbing rhetoric about immigration. Let me just say that not much has changed in over 100 years. It was very timely considereing the debate that is going on in the United States right now.
Was it my favorite show? No but not becasue of the theme but rather the weakness of the plot. The music is catchy but none of it made me hum it on the way out. An entertaining evening out and a musical worth seeing at least once.
12 people like this
11 responses
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
16 Oct 17
My new daughter-in-law's theater turned it down for those very reasons. Fiddler on the Roof has always been a favorite of mine. She gives talk backs after performances and gave one today. I'm sure she'd have a lot of answers for Rags. At least you had an nice evening out!
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
I am very glad that I am being fair in my assessment, I always hate to be negative when the actors work so hard. I did have a great evening out and we always enjoy eating at the cooking company.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
@DianneN Oh no of course not, she will do the best job ever!!! Our grandchildren are above critique lol
2 people like this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
16 Oct 17
@BelleStarr I'm positive you've been very fair in your assessment. The next production we're seeing will be my granddaughter's off Broadway show. She was given a script and three big speaking, singing, and dancing roles. She's so excited! For her shows, I'm never ever critical. 
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
14 Oct 17
See it once, twice if you like it. I do enjoy theater, but can't afford to go. Heck, I can't even afford to go to see a movie. Too many bills to pay and too little income.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
16 Oct 17
@BelleStarr I wish I could afford to go now. So love watching a good performance.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Oct 17
There was a time that I couldn't afford to either and now I am enjoying the freedom that I have to see as many productions as possible.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Oct 17
Never heard of this one, but from the way you talk about it and make it sound, sounds like I am not missing much.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
24 Oct 17
Yes and no, I think you should see it once, it is not like Wicked, where you will want to see it again and again but it is worth seeing once.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Oct 17
Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a show in the opera house. Immigration is a standing hardship isn't it?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Oct 17
@BelleStarr .....What an experience. Put a new light on it when it is so close.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
The cast was in the aisles shouting and it was downright scary to think this really happened/
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Oct 17
No, nothing does change and people learn nothing which is scary for the future of the world.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
16 Oct 17
@BelleStarr I fully agree with you, we have a scary future in view.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
Funny, I have seen the musical several times but never the movie.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
The orchestra was very talented and sounded good but the music was not as catchy as it could have been.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
Its true, I think it is human nature and it just doesn't change.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
16 Oct 17
Sometimes the actual show isn't all that good but the evening out is enjoyable...Same thing happened with a movie everyone was talking about but I just couldn't like it but enjoyed the evening out
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Oct 17
Yes I agree, I go to this who with my daughter and my oldest friend, always a good evening out.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Oct 17
Given what a great musical Fiddler is, it was a little disappointing to have this be the sequel. But it was entertaining in spite of its weaknesses.
