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[0:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Survival Jobs, a podcast in collaboration with Broadway World and the Broadway Podcast Network. My name is Samantha Tuozzolo, and this is my amazing co-host, Jason A. Coombs. Jason, what a special bonus episode this is.

[0:23] Jason A. Coombs: Great. Yes, we are. No, it's so exciting that we got the opportunity to be on the red carpet at Lincoln Center. I know. Ragtime. I mean, listen, the show is so monumental and it's such a stunning production. And to be at Lincoln Center covering it was just like true Broadway magic. And it's like things that we've dreamed about, you know, that we didn't even know we were dreaming about. So it was so, so, so amazing. Jason, what was your favorite part about the carpet and who was your favorite interview?

[1:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, my gosh. I mean, there's so many. Like, how can I choose? But I guess I'm not sure if people will get it when they listen. But if you watch, you might be able to understand. But I was talking to Michael Urie because he is a Ragtime girly stand girl like myself. It's one of my favorite. It's probably like number one, number two favorite musicals. I love it so much. But we were talking about how much we adore it. And I was like, you know what, Michael Urie, I'm going to direct this one day as a film and you got to be in it. And he was like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Because, you know, he likes us. I think he likes us. Right. And then Danielle Brooks, like, walked by and joined our interview for a quick second. And I was like, and we were having like a little mini reunion. And that was a mini Juilliard reunion. That's like literally your dream, Jason. Danielle Brooks. So you got to try to get her.

[2:01] Jason A. Coombs: Now we just got to get her on. Right. Because she knows about us. So, yeah. Hello, Danielle. If you're listening, we're ready. Danielle, remember us, girl.

[2:11] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah. You know, carpets are so interesting because, you know, we've done many of them at this point and they just move so fast. So if we like have somebody that we're so excited to talk to, a lot of times it doesn't happen. Or as you and I are learning to do our own tech, sometimes the audio doesn't grab it. That's okay. We're learning as we go. I was just really, even though my interview with Mother, with Caissie Levy, was very quick. She's so stunning in this show and her performance is so groundbreaking that it was just nice to have like that quick moment with her on the carpet. And she also looked stunning. How many times have I said stunning on this mic check? A lot. She looked stunning. She was like in a mink. Maybe not a mink. I don't know anything about those kinds of things. I would say it was a mink. She was looking fierce and like she was like Mother has arrived to opening night, y'all. Like Mother is here.

[3:07] Jason A. Coombs: Okay. Right. That is literally the vibe she was giving. So listen, it was great. If you guys have not seen Ragtime, please. It is like, it's a perfect musical is what I keep saying. It really, really is. And on top of it being a perfect score and a perfect book and a perfect musical, the performances are, every single performance is hitting a home run. Every single one. And it's just so timely, too. You think like, you know, this work that was made in the 90s, which was about the turn of the century, early 1900s, that's still relevant in 2025.

[3:56] Samantha Tuozzolo: I know. I'm seeing it next year. I can't wait. But to know, yes, how scary it is and how like things, how much things have changed, but then how things have not changed. It's pretty incredible and super exciting. And I apologize to our listeners. I can't figure out how to turn off these stupid messages from coming through my laptop, even though I have headphones on. No, I need a tech supervisor. I can't do it anymore. But yes, amazing, just amazing and impactful and exciting and important. I'm happy that it's on Broadway and I'm happy that people get to hear this story and see this story during these times when there's such an attack on women and immigrants and just everyone at this point, right? So theater changes, art changes lives. Art is healing. Love it. All right, everyone, enjoy and go get your tickets to Ragtime.

[4:54] Lear deBessonet: Hi, happy opening night. Thank you so much. It's such an exciting night for us here.

[5:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh my God, for me too. And I'm just like on the outside of it. So we're a podcast. A lot of people are just listening. So can you please introduce yourself for the folks who can't see your stunning face?

[5:10] Lear deBessonet: Absolutely. Hi, friends. This is Lear deBessonet and I am the new artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater and also the director of Ragtime.

[5:22] Samantha Tuozzolo: I mean, that is like such an amazing sentence to say. How do you, I mean, what a year for you, you know? And as a woman artist, I'm like cheering on the women who are getting in these positions. So how does it feel?

[5:33] Lear deBessonet: I don't take that lightly for a moment. You know, I am a woman from the South. I'm a mother of two. I have a three-year-old daughter and a nine-year-old son and I don't for a moment not think about the women, including some of the women in this show, characters like those characters that lived lives that allowed me to be here.

[6:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes. I love that so much, which leads me to my question to ask you, is there a character in this show that you've learned a lesson from through directing it? And who's that character and what's the lesson?

[6:13] Lear deBessonet: Oh, my goodness. So many, so many. You know, there's a lyric that the lyric that Mother sings that I see the character Colehouse live, which is basically it's about the courage to realize mother sings that they might have been wrong, that you might have been wrong, which is really about the courage to change and to realize that we all have the power to change. We do have the power to think differently and most of us are so afraid to admit that we were possibly wrong about something when in fact that is freedom and that is joy to be able to say, you know, I think I was wrong. And I'm able to believe something different and I'm able to do something different.

[7:09] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. We love Mother. So this is not your first time taking a show from City Center and bringing it to a bigger stage. So how was that experience for you and was it any different from past shows you did like Into the Woods?

[7:20] Lear deBessonet: Yes. Yes. So we began this journey at City Center about a year ago. I have such love for that place and I had really amazing, amazing times there. And I think that the thing that is a bit different about Ragtime, you know, when we brought Into the Woods to Broadway and Once Upon a Mattress to Broadway, we made very few changes from what we had done at City Center. And we also had very little rehearsal time. I think for each of those we had like nine days of rehearsal to put it back up and on a Broadway stage. With this process, partly because the Beaumont as a stage, our stage here at Lincoln Center Theater is a very different stage than the one we had at City Center. We're going from a proscenium stage where the audience is all watching from the front from one angle to this one of the largest spaces in New York City where the audience, we have a thrust space that puts the actors very, very close to the audience, but the audience on three sides.

And then also the Lincoln Center stage has enormous depth that we did not have at City Center. So that production was a stage concert and we've really been able to adapt it uniquely for the strengths of the Beaumont as a space. That's been tremendously exciting.

[8:36] Jason A. Coombs: Well, you crushed it. It's so stunning.

[8:41] Lear deBessonet: Oh, thank you. Two more quick questions. So my podcast partner over here, his dream is to direct the film version of Ragtime. Do you have any advice?

[8:46] Lear deBessonet: Oh my goodness. I'm sure you would do a beautiful job. I love that. You know, I think I would just say that any version of directing Ragtime, I think, should be about the excavation of truth. This is really a show that requires finding truth in performance, finding clarity in the story, and I think you'd be doing an amazing job.

[9:14] Jason A. Coombs: Yay. And before we let you go, I know you've chatted with so many people and we're last. Save the best for last. Just kidding. In one word, can you let us know what you hope the audiences learn from watching this production?

[9:24] Lear deBessonet: I think it's not one word. I would say like restoration of humanity. I would hope them to feel reconnected to their own humanity and to the humanity that is behind the history of this country.

[9:49] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you so much. It was such an honor to chat with you.

[9:55] Joshua Henry: Thank you. What a great time. Would you mind just introducing yourself because it's a podcast and they can't see your beautiful face?

[9:58] Joshua Henry: Well, my name is Joshua Henry and I play Cole House Walker Jr. in Ragtime.

[10:03] Samantha Tuozzolo: Amazing. I hope you're feeling ready. You'll be feeling good. Boys, ready to tell us an incredible story. Ready to share with New York audiences.

[10:11] Joshua Henry: Great. Great. I just want to ask you because our podcast is called Survival Jobs. Before you became a Broadway actor, did you have a survival job on the up and up that you want to share?

[10:15] Joshua Henry: You know what? Before I came to New York, I've had a couple of jobs. I worked at a t-shirt company where I pressed t-shirts. I did construction. This is in Florida before I got to New York. I tried to be a waiter a couple of times and was denied. I tried to work on cruise ships, but was denied. I've given guitar lessons. Then getting to New York, I got a show called Godspell and then everything else kind of moved from there. I love to produce. I take producing classes. I love to learn about songwriting. I go to Nashville. Even though I'm now a Broadway star, I continue to be a student in many different ways. That is why I succeed.

[11:09] Samantha Tuozzolo: That's what everyone should do, right? Always be a student. I love that. Last question. What do you hope audiences take away? In one word, audience take away from after seeing this show in 2025. In one word, what they will take away. One sentence if you can do one word.

[11:18] Joshua Henry: I might do one sentence. Dare to hope. Dare to dream.

[11:35] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. Thank you.

[11:39] Joshua Henry: Rules of a Dream, your performance. I've watched it.

[11:45] Joshua Henry: Hi, happy opening. How are you feeling?

[11:49] Joshua Henry: I'm so excited. This show has been so important to me for so many years. I was obsessed with the cast album as a kid. It really changed my world and inspired me to write my show stuff. To get to come around after that and return to the show, that is the reason I wrote my own show. I feel so grateful to get to honor this show.

[11:59] Samantha Tuozzolo: For sure. How does it feel to do back to back shows that are so important and talking about change and movement and things that have happened? What does that feel like for you to be doing such important art?

[12:07] Joshua Henry: It just feels grounding that in all the chaos of the headlines and all this very real, very frightening things around our country, that at the end of each day, I get to come stand on one of our great American stages and tell an honest story about our history without getting arrested, at least yet. I think that that is a power and a right that we need to fight for fiercely and celebrate while we have it and hold on to New York City as a city where we can do that. That's something I maybe took for granted growing up and I don't anymore.

[12:39] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. You said great American stages from a great American bitch. If you know, you know. This show is so powerful. There's so many amazing characters in it. Is there a particular character in the show that you've learned a lesson from and what's that lesson?

[12:49] Joshua Henry: Oh, what a great question. I mean, that's such a good question. I mean, I have.

[13:01] Nichelle Lewis: Emma Goldman is an anarchist. Emma's vision of anarchy was fundamentally hopeful and joyful, predicated on the premise that when people are left to their own devices without a government, they cooperate and they take care of each other. So I really think ultimately, as much as she was a burn down the system kind of girl, she had a positive vision for the future. And so I really, I've tried to hold on to that and all the disparate cynicism around that like, she had a vision for what was possible.

[13:46] Jason A. Coombs: Our show on the network is called Survival Jobs. Before you were literally crushing it and performing, writing, all of the above. Do you have a survival job that you can share with us?

[13:56] Nichelle Lewis: I did a lot of, I played on a little keyboard and sang little songs for a lot, for like every mommy and me music class in Tribeca. And one was like, where you had to write a song, the gimmick of a class was every week, write a new song for a new toddler. And like, the toddler's parents would fill out a questionnaire. So I have like three albums worth of original songs about like, Nora likes avocado. Shout out to Nora, who loves avocado. I hope you're in college and thriving.

[14:24] Jason A. Coombs: So liking avocado. Before I let you go, in one word, can you let us know what you hope audiences walk away having learned from watching this production?

[14:32] Nichelle Lewis: One word? Hope.

[14:35] Jason A. Coombs: Love it. Yeah, thanks for chatting with us.

[14:37] Nichelle Lewis: My pleasure.

[14:38] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, would you mind just saying your name? Because we are a podcast, so I can't see your beautiful face.

[14:42] Nichelle Lewis: Hello, my name is Nichelle Lewis.

[14:43] Jason A. Coombs: And you're playing?

[14:44] Nichelle Lewis: I am playing Sarah, okay, at Lincoln Center. Feels incredible.

[14:49] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, I want to talk about Wheels of a Dream. I watched your Colbert performance literally 1000 times. How does it feel to sing those lyrics in 2025 as a black woman? Because I'm feeling it hardcore.

[15:02] Nichelle Lewis: Yeah, I mean, I think it's just like you said, I feel it hardcore every night. I'm just present. I'm there. I'm listening to everything Cole House says, and feeling everything that Sarah's saying. I'm just feeling hopeful, happiness, just overjoyed and happy. It's like seeing what the world could be in one song, and it's incredible. It's an incredibly powerful feeling. And how we want the world to be.

[15:28] Jason A. Coombs: Right. We're still trying to get there.

[15:30] Nichelle Lewis: Yeah, we're still trying to get there. We're still trying to get there every day, every day, hoping to inspire people to make a change and move forward.

[15:37] Jason A. Coombs: Right. Yes.

[15:39] Nichelle Lewis: And in one word or one sentence, what do you hope audiences take away after seeing this show in this run?

[15:45] Nichelle Lewis: Oh, Lord.

[15:46] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[15:47] Nichelle Lewis: I hope that audiences walk away with questions, with wondering, feeling inspired, encouraged and uplifted.

[15:58] Jason A. Coombs: I think they will. Thank you. Congratulations.

[16:01] Nichelle Lewis: Thank you.

[16:02] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. So good to see you.

[16:04] Nichelle Lewis: You too.

[16:05] Jason A. Coombs: Hi, happy opening. In one word, can you tell us what you hope audiences learn after seeing this production?

[16:11] Caissie Levy: Okay, it can't be one word.

[16:12] Jason A. Coombs: Okay.

[16:13] Caissie Levy: But it's not that I hope they'll learn. I hope that they leave and have a conversation. So conversation is what I hope that this show brings for people.

[16:22] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you. I want to ask you 70 more questions, but you've got to go. Oh, can you just introduce yourself because we are a podcast?

[16:28] Caissie Levy: Yes. Hey, I'm Caissie Levy, and I play Mother in Ragtime.

[16:31] Jason A. Coombs: And she's stellar.

[16:32] Caissie Levy: Thank you.

[16:33] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you. I appreciate it.

[16:35] Caissie Levy: She's Mother.

[16:36] Jason A. Coombs: She's Mother.

[16:37] Caissie Levy: She's trying.

[16:39] Jason A. Coombs: Can you introduce yourself because we are a podcast and they can't see your beautiful face.

[16:41] Anna Grace Barlow: Amazing. Hi, guys. I'm Anna Grace Barlow, and I play Evelyn Nesbitt in Ragtime Musical.

[16:46] Jason A. Coombs: Amazing. We're here opening night on the red carpet. How are you feeling?

[16:50] Anna Grace Barlow: I'm so excited. It's been like a whirlwind of a day. I'm just getting ready and getting excited. I've never done a red carpet where I have to go to work after. So this is different where I was like, oh, I got to warm up. I got to do my stretches and stuff. And yeah, so I'm excited.

[17:04] Jason A. Coombs: I love that for you. Congratulations. So you're playing Evelyn Nesbitt. How did it feel to play such an iconic role in musical theater history?

[17:12] Anna Grace Barlow: I feel like she is the one of the ones. Yeah, she's like a crowd favorite. She's a beloved character for sure. I think it's been amazing. And I think something about me is that I always want to try to find something different to do with the character, especially with theater where it's like a role that many people play. And I love that Lear really allowed us to find her darkness and the darker parts of her that were true to her real life history. So that's been really fun to play. And I think that's a little different that she's not one note or just comedy. She's kind of a little bit of both. And you're seeing that where she is in her life, she's not so happy about.

[17:46] Jason A. Coombs: So this show's been around for almost 30 years, right? What was your first introduction to Ragtime?

[17:51] Anna Grace Barlow: So back in the day when I was in high school, this had to be 2010, a professional theater in town where I grew up, Birmingham, Alabama, was doing Ragtime. And I auditioned and I was not cast, but I did audition for Evelyn herself. So this is very full circle for me. I've been familiar with the show and with the music for a very long time.

[18:13] Jason A. Coombs: What do you hope audiences take away from seeing the show in 2025?

[18:17] Anna Grace Barlow: Where it's such a time where I was listening to it the other day again and I got to act too and I was like, oh yeah, this is timely. It's one of those shows that really moves you and whatever way it does move you, that's what I hope people take away from it. It's just that it means something to them, that they're moved by it, and that we did a good job of conveying this story that's so multifaceted and appeals to so many different people for different reasons.

[18:40] Jason A. Coombs: Do you have a favorite moment in this show or favorite song that you want to share with us?

[18:44] Anna Grace Barlow: Besides your own problem. Well, my songs are fine. You know what? I really like What a Game. And people have opinions about What a Game because it's such a happy song in the middle of Act 2, but I love it because I love baseball and all of our guys are so amazing. So that number is really a highlight for me. I like to watch it from the wings.

[19:01] Jason A. Coombs: I love that for you. Thank you. Okay, last question before we let you go. Our podcast is called Survival Jobs. Before you were on Broadway, did you have a survival job on Up and Up?

[19:11] Anna Grace Barlow: Of course. Very, very many. I worked at a coffee shop. I worked at Baked by Melissa here in the city for a long time. I survived off of Baked by Melissa cupcakes for a year or so there.

[19:21] Jason A. Coombs: How did you not just eat them every day?

[19:23] Anna Grace Barlow: I did. I did. That's the thing. That's my start. I loved that job so much. I got to talk to people and kind of perform. So that was fun. Congratulations. I'm so happy to talk with you. I can't wait to see the show. Samantha saw it. She's been raving about it. I'm going next week. I'm going next week. It's so great to see you.

[19:41] Anna Grace Barlow: Thank you.

[19:42] Jason A. Coombs: Let me know what you think.

[19:43] Anna Grace Barlow: I will. Thank you.

[19:45] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you. Nice to meet you.

[19:48] John Clay III: So this is a podcast. I'm going to have you introduce yourself because not everyone can see your handsome face.

[19:53] John Clay III: Okay. My name is John Clay III. I play Booker T.

[19:56] Jason A. Coombs: I got chills. I got to hear you sing. I'm talking to Booker T. First of all, congratulations. You're on the red carpet. We're here in Lincoln Center.

[20:01] John Clay III: Yes, we are.

[20:02] Jason A. Coombs: Of the opening night of this Broadway show. How are you feeling?

[20:05] John Clay III: I feel great. I mean, honestly, a weird calm is over me right now because it just feels like perfect timing for the show to happen.

[20:08] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, my gosh. It's a most timely show. I was listening to it again yesterday and I was like, I kind of forgot what happened in act two. And I was like, oh, wow.

[20:13] John Clay III: Yeah. The meat is in act two for sure.

[20:15] Jason A. Coombs: Right. Right. It's a crazy setup.

[20:19] John Clay III: Right. Right. What was your introduction to Ragtime?

[20:25] John Clay III: This show has been around for almost 30 years. Right. And this is surprisingly my fourth time doing Ragtime.

[20:30] Jason A. Coombs: Wow.

[20:31] John Clay III: But the first time I saw it, I was 15 years old. Yeah. And I can't even describe what really came over me. But there was just a feeling of being seen as Cole House. Like, I remember seeing him do Cole House soliloquy and giving the space to grieve in the way that he did. And it's just not really something that is allowed for us on stage sometimes.

[20:44] Jason A. Coombs: Right. Yeah.

[20:55] John Clay III: And so for him to be given that space with no one else on that stage. Right. I had never seen anything like that before.

[21:00] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, that's amazing.

[21:01] John Clay III: Yeah. That's amazing. And speaking of it's so timely, is there a word that you hope audiences take away after seeing this production?

[21:06] John Clay III: A word from the show or?

[21:11] Jason A. Coombs: No, a word that you think describes the show you want them to take away.

[21:14] John Clay III: Oh, relevance.

[21:15] Jason A. Coombs: Relevance.

[21:16] John Clay III: Yeah. I mean, it's the most timely show that's probably out right now. Like, just given what's happening in our world today.

[21:20] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. And why do you think it's been brought back in this time?

[21:26] John Clay III: I mean, because of how polarizing things are right now. I mean, and we need theater more than ever right now. And this show helps unite all walks of life to where we're able to see all perspectives.

[21:36] Jason A. Coombs: Right. Well, more perspectives than usual on one stage.

[21:39] John Clay III: I love that. I love that. Okay, last question. Our podcast is called Survival Jobs.

[21:42] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, Survival Jobs.

[21:46] John Clay III: When you were on the Up and Up, before you became a Broadway actor, did you have a survival job that brought you here, that helped you along the way?

[21:52] John Clay III: A memorable one? Survival job. Not everyone has one.

[21:55] John Clay III: No, I had a few. I'm trying to see which one is the best one to talk about.

[22:01] John Clay III: I taught. I was a teacher.

[22:02] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah? What did you teach?

[22:05] John Clay III: I taught theater to kindergartners.

[22:07] Jason A. Coombs: I love that.

[22:08] John Clay III: Kindergarten through fourth grade.

[22:10] Jason A. Coombs: I love that. We need educators. We need artists and educators. So thank you for what you do. You look amazing, by the way.

[22:15] John Clay III: Thank you.

[22:17] Jason A. Coombs: I appreciate it. Yeah, have an amazing time tonight. Congratulations.

[22:20] John Clay III: I appreciate it.

[22:21] Kayla Pecchioni: Hi, happy opening.

[22:22] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you. We're here at the opening of Ragtime. So we're a podcast. A lot of folks are just listening. So can you please introduce yourself and let us know what your role here is with Ragtime?

[22:30] Kayla Pecchioni: Yeah, I'm Kayla Pecchioni and I'm in the Joyous Ensemble.

[22:33] Jason A. Coombs: Oh my God, incredible. So this show is so iconic and important.

[22:38] Kayla Pecchioni: To say the least.

[22:39] Jason A. Coombs: How did it feel to, first of all, do the show? Were you doing it at City Center?

[22:44] Kayla Pecchioni: I wasn't doing it at City Center. I had the pleasure of joining this time around for Lincoln Center. And I feel like I snuck in at the right time.

[22:49] Jason A. Coombs: So you're doing this show on Broadway at Lincoln Center. What does that mean to you?

[22:56] Kayla Pecchioni: Oh, it means the world to me. I mean, I've had the joy of going from show to show over the last few years. And to be sitting here in this moment, it feels like I've found a grounding point. Even though we are only here for a short time, get your tickets. Even though we are only here for a short time, I really feel so at home here. And I feel so taken care of. And I just feel that the work that we do is so important here. It's a beautiful thing.

[23:21] Jason A. Coombs: It is so important, which leads me to ask you, if you want the audience to walk away, in one word, let us know what you want the audience to walk away having learned from watching this show.

[23:30] Kayla Pecchioni: Oh, knowledge. Like, you know, that's a crazy thing to say. What do I want you to learn? Knowledge. I want you to look at what's going on in the world today and look at this iconic piece that was made in 98 and see how potent it is for 25. Really not different at all.

[23:44] Jason A. Coombs: No. Unfortunately.

[23:46] Kayla Pecchioni: Yeah. And we're excited to give that to the audiences at this time. It's a brilliant thing. Well, congratulations. Thanks so much for chatting with us. Happy opening. You look amazing. And I love the teeth, Jules.

[23:56] Kayla Pecchioni: Thank you so much.

[23:57] Jason A. Coombs: She's so iconic, you guys.

[24:00] Raon Crenshaw: Okay, cool. So this is Survivors. That was a podcast. So we are a podcast. Am I introducing yourself for our listeners who can't hear you and see your beautiful voice?

[24:07] Raon Crenshaw: Raon Crenshaw.

[24:09] Jason A. Coombs: Raon Crenshaw. And we're here at Ragtime, opening night. We're at the red carpet. How are you feeling?

[24:15] Raon Crenshaw: I am feeling so happy and excited.

[24:18] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[24:19] Raon Crenshaw: And ready to get on that stage and open this show.

[24:22] Jason A. Coombs: Oh my gosh. So Samantha whispered to me, because she saw the show before me, my podcast partner, and said, you sang the house down. So I can't wait to see it. I'm so, so excited for you. Your voices are amazing in this show.

[24:33] Raon Crenshaw: They're amazing.

[24:34] Jason A. Coombs: Of course. Of course. What's your favorite part about this show, especially during this time that's so timely?

[24:42] Raon Crenshaw: Yeah, it's really unfortunate that it's so timely in a way, but I'm so glad that people are still engaged and wanting to, it's opening the door to so many different people that may not have always considered what's like the other side. And what I like about the show is you get to see so many different perspectives on it. So I think it's perfect for this time.

[25:11] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. Do you have a favorite moment in the show that you want to share with us? Maybe it could be your moment or it could be when you're on the sides watching.

[25:15] Raon Crenshaw: My favorite moment in the show. Ooh. In a show like this, I know it's hard.

[25:25] Jason A. Coombs: It is hard.

[25:26] Raon Crenshaw: There's so many because everyone's fight or struggle or understanding, it's like so poignant. Maybe when Father realizes his own misconceptions. That's probably my favorite part.

[25:44] Jason A. Coombs: Very powerful. No spoilers for those who haven't seen it.

[25:47] Raon Crenshaw: You don't know this almost 30-year-old show. What's wrong with you? But I'm not going to judge.

[25:52] Jason A. Coombs: I'm not going to judge. Last question before I let you go. Get ready for your big night. Our podcast is called Survival Jobs. Is there a survival job you had on your way up before you've been working?

[26:02] Shaina Taub: It's such an honor to be here tonight for the opening of "Ragtime." The energy is palpable, and I can't wait for everyone to experience this incredible revival.

[26:32] John Clay III: Absolutely! The cast has worked so hard, and the themes of the show resonate deeply with today's audience. It's a powerful moment for all of us.

[27:02] Michael Urie: I couldn't agree more. "Ragtime" has always been a show that speaks to the heart of America, and I think this revival will remind everyone why it's so important.

[27:32] Lear deBessonet: The story is timeless, and the music is just as relevant now as it was when it first premiered. I'm thrilled to see how audiences will react to it tonight.

[28:02] Shaina Taub: And the cast! We have such a talented group of performers bringing these characters to life. It's going to be an unforgettable night.

[28:32] John Clay III: Yes! Each actor brings their own unique perspective to the roles, and I think that diversity will shine through in the performances.

[28:44] Michael Urie: Plus, the creative team has done an amazing job reimagining the staging and direction. It's fresh yet respectful of the original.

[28:54] Lear deBessonet: Exactly! We wanted to honor the legacy of "Ragtime" while also making it feel new and exciting for today's audiences.

[29:06] Shaina Taub: I think people will leave the theater feeling inspired and hopeful, which is exactly what we need right now.

[29:16] John Clay III: And the music! The score is just breathtaking. I can't wait for everyone to hear it live.

[29:28] Michael Urie: It's going to be a night filled with emotion, and I hope everyone feels that connection to the story.

[29:38] Lear deBessonet: That's what it's all about—creating a shared experience that resonates with everyone in the audience.

[29:50] Shaina Taub: And I think the conversations that will follow this performance are just as important as the show itself.

[30:00] John Clay III: Absolutely! "Ragtime" encourages dialogue about identity, justice, and hope, which are crucial topics today.

[30:12] Michael Urie: I can't wait to hear the audience's reactions after they see the show. It's going to be powerful.

[30:22] Lear deBessonet: Yes! The impact of this revival will extend beyond the theater, and I'm excited to see how it influences conversations in our communities.

[30:34] Shaina Taub: It's a privilege to be part of something so meaningful. I hope everyone feels that energy tonight.

[30:44] John Clay III: We're all in this together, and I think that sense of unity will shine through in the performances.

[30:56] Michael Urie: It's a celebration of resilience and hope, and I think that's what makes "Ragtime" so special.

[31:06] Lear deBessonet: I couldn't have said it better myself. Let's make some magic happen tonight!

[31:18] Shaina Taub: Here’s to a fantastic opening night!

[31:28] John Clay III: Cheers to that!

[31:40] Michael Urie: Let the show begin!

[31:50] Lear deBessonet: Break a leg, everyone!

[32:02] Shaina Taub: We’re ready to share this story with the world.

[32:12] John Clay III: And we hope it inspires everyone who sees it.

[32:24] Michael Urie: Here’s to the power of theater!

[32:34] Lear deBessonet: Let’s do this!

[32:46] Shaina Taub: The excitement is just electric!

[32:56] John Clay III: I can’t wait for the curtain to rise.

[33:08] Michael Urie: It’s going to be a night to remember.

[33:18] Lear deBessonet: Absolutely!

[33:30] Shaina Taub: Here’s to the magic of "Ragtime."

[33:40] John Clay III: And to all the stories that need to be told.

[33:52] Michael Urie: Let’s make some noise!

[34:02] Lear deBessonet: Here we go!

[34:14] Shaina Taub: This is it!

[34:24] John Clay III: The moment we’ve all been waiting for!

[34:36] Michael Urie: Let’s celebrate this incredible revival!

[34:46] Lear deBessonet: And the amazing talent behind it!

[34:58] Shaina Taub: Here’s to the journey ahead!

[35:08] John Clay III: And to the impact we can make together.

[35:20] Michael Urie: Let’s do this!

[35:30] Lear deBessonet: Break a leg, everyone!

[35:42] Shaina Taub: We’re ready to share this story with the world.

[35:52] John Clay III: And we hope it inspires everyone who sees it.

[36:04] Michael Urie: Here’s to the power of theater!

[36:14] Lear deBessonet: Let’s do this!

[36:26] Shaina Taub: The excitement is just electric!

[36:36] John Clay III: I can’t wait for the curtain to rise.

[36:48] Michael Urie: It’s going to be a night to remember.

[36:58] Lear deBessonet: Absolutely!

[37:10] Shaina Taub: Here’s to the magic of "Ragtime."

[37:20] John Clay III: And to all the stories that need to be told.

[37:32] Michael Urie: Let’s make some noise!

[37:42] Lear deBessonet: Here we go!

[37:54] Shaina Taub: This is it!

[38:04] John Clay III: The moment we’ve all been waiting for!

[38:16] Michael Urie: Let’s celebrate this incredible revival!

[38:26] Lear deBessonet: And the amazing talent behind it!

[38:38] Shaina Taub: Here’s to the journey ahead!

[38:48] John Clay III: And to the impact we can make together.