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I am planning a production of Ragtime with my youth company in Berkeley, CA next season. I was wondering if anyone can elaborate on the differences between the Broadway and London (referred to as version 2) versions available for licensing. I have read both scripts, and the only difference seems to be the orchestration (which is slightly smaller for the London version). However, I am told the London version is also much smaller scale in terms of the production, but it doesn't seem to reflect this in the script. Isn't this just up to the individual director and designers or is there anything inherent in the script (besides stage directions) that is different in each script. Any help would be much appreciated.

I realize this is not so much about the Broadway Jr. or Kids Collection titles, but I wasn't sure who else to ask). If you could direct me to someone who could answer my questions, I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance.

Dave Moschler

Berkeley, CA

Dave. Great question. I am also interested in the answer.

HI Dave and Rodney!  Jesse and I are both at NAESP for MTI and were discussing your great question. The main differences are the orchestrations.  Ragtime is the verrsion  that was done on Broadway, RAGTIME 2 is the version that was done in London and Papermill Playhouse.  In R 2, the script and running time are slightly longer and the orchestrations are more difficult and require a lot of keyboard patches. For more specific details about the differences, you can call MTI and ask to speak to the materials department.  They are the experts on all these details with full scores!  CR

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Hi, Cindy. Thanks so much for the post. I had assumed as much that the orchestrations were different, though it's good to know that the R2 orchestrations are more difficult (usually the case with reduced orchestrations, I've found). 

I will get in touch with someone at MTI that could tell me more details about the orchestrations (would you recommend anyone specifically, perhaps someone in the music dept.?). 

Also, I remember noticing a Harry Houdini scene/number was not in the R2 (or original) version, but I can't recall which one. Perhaps it had to do with the stagecraft/spectacle involved. 

Thanks again for all of your help!

Dave Moschler