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Organization
Saratoga Drama Group
Saratoga Drama Group (SDG) is a community theater group that serves the South Bay Area with 3 fully produced musicals each year.
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Member Reviews
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Event Name: Ragtime
"5 Stars are Not Enough"
Review posted by: Paul from Mountain View, CA, Oct 07, 2008
This show is a real bargain. It is professional theater at community theater prices. Everything about it is top notch and it deserves a top rating!
This show is a real bargain. It is professional theater at community theater prices. Everything about it is top notch and it deserves a top rating!
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Hit or MISS!"
Review posted by: khearne from Mountain View, CA, Oct 07, 2008
Perhaps I'm coming from a rather jaded place, having seen "Ragtime" on the Broadway stage. But while I was very excited to see this show, I am sad to report that I was more than a little disappointed.... Expand
Perhaps I'm coming from a rather jaded place, having seen "Ragtime" on the Broadway stage. But while I was very excited to see this show, I am sad to report that I was more than a little disappointed. I honestly felt that nearly all of the principle characters were miscast. I have seen many wonderful productions that C. Michael has directed, and I know he's been in a lead or involved as an actor in several, so it was surprising that he struggled with his lines and his delivery throughout. Some of the vocals were strong, but they were NOT the "belters" that were such a necessary element in RAGTIME. While the role of Houdini was minor, I was actually pleased with the performance of Mischa Stephens. Perhaps it's unfair to compare this production to the B'Way show, but having seen many excellent productions in the bay area, many of them by this same company, I am sorry to report that this is one I could have "missed" without regret. Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"The BEST community show EVER!!!"
Review posted by: Joseph from San Jose, Cali, Oct 06, 2008
Although, this musical was 3 hours long, it kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. The set was beautiful, really big. The amazing cast and their talent really brought the house down,... Expand
Although, this musical was 3 hours long, it kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. The set was beautiful, really big. The amazing cast and their talent really brought the house down, The costumes, everything was really well done for a community show. I am trying to go see this production again, but it seems to be sold out. What my fav things in the production, was the opening, there was just so much people but they were all amazing, the music was breathtaking, the orchestra was flawless. I loved Atlantic City, henry ford, and ready rag song. The song that ended act 1 made me cry sooooo much, Paula Warren did such an amazing job, and was believable. Everything about this show was much better then the others i have seen, Saratoga has really made a impact on the shows i see there now. Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Great Production"
Review posted by: Afton Bolz from San Jose, CA, Oct 06, 2008
I am on the Board at SDG and am so thrilled to be a part of a theatre group that demonstrates such a commitment to quality - as evidenced by this production of RAGTIME. RAGTIME is an ambitious... Expand
I am on the Board at SDG and am so thrilled to be a part of a theatre group that demonstrates such a commitment to quality - as evidenced by this production of RAGTIME. RAGTIME is an ambitious show (to say the least!!) and this production delivers. I was particularly impressed by the beautiful sets and costumes - all which helped make the production quality top notch. And what a fun turn to see frequent director C Michael up on stage. Perhaps we will get him up there again someday! I certainly recommend this show to anyone looking for an enchanting evening - while learning a little bit of history along the way! Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Another Don't Miss from SDG!"
Review posted by: Greg from Campbell, Oct 06, 2008
This is another don't miss from the Saratoga Drama who continually do some of the finest work in the area. I have never been disappointed with their productions and this one is one of their best. From... Expand
This is another don't miss from the Saratoga Drama who continually do some of the finest work in the area. I have never been disappointed with their productions and this one is one of their best. From start to finish, this production has the polish that is one of the trademarks of SDG's shows. The sets,staging, costumes, orchestra, lights, and most of all the cast are all top notch. Very Broadway as I heard one fellow audience member comment. The only complaint I might suggest is that the orchestra is a wee bit loud places and I had trouble hearing some of the performers. All the cast were outstanding with special mention to Barbara and Tim Reynolds, RaMond Thomas, Tracy Camp,James Creer Ruth E. Stein,Paula Warren and little Michael Thompson.There were certainly lots of people on stage, but I never felt like the stage was overcrowded as no one looked out of place.Find time to see this show as it will not be done again for awhile. Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Father Got the Shaft"
Review posted by: Tom Every from San Jose, CA, Oct 06, 2008
I thought this show was pretty good. I normally don't go see theater shows very often, but my wife drug me to this one. I thought the Father character got the shaft. The story made you want Mother to... Expand
I thought this show was pretty good. I normally don't go see theater shows very often, but my wife drug me to this one. I thought the Father character got the shaft. The story made you want Mother to leave him - like he was the bad guy. Oh well. But overall I thought it was pretty good - nothing like I was expecting. I really liked the sets and costumes. The guy playing Grandfather kept flubbing his songs, though. Well it was a pretty good show anyway. Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Pretty good ... could have been better"
Review posted by: Yolanda from Saratoga, CA, Oct 06, 2008
As a season ticket subscriber, I've come to appreciate high caliber performances from SDG. The show wasn't bad, but not as good as that last show they did (can't remember name?) or other shows I've... Expand
As a season ticket subscriber, I've come to appreciate high caliber performances from SDG. The show wasn't bad, but not as good as that last show they did (can't remember name?) or other shows I've seen on that stage. Paula who sung a solo at the end of Act I brought down the house. Coalhouse and Sarah were pretty strong and I loved their voices. The Pas de Deux in Act II was just stunning. Emma Goldman was wonderful. And that car they had on stage was so cool. On the down side, the woman who played Mother didn't belt her big song at the end but sang it in a head voice which was completely wrong for the part. It left me very disappointed. There were too many people on the stage. That or the set pieces were too big. At times it looked like chaos. Maybe it would have been more effective with less people? Also, the show was hard to follow in some parts. It was pretty long (3 hours) and the story jumped around a lot. Overall it was pretty good. Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Dazzling, Richly Produced Musical"
Review posted by: Enfant Terrible from Fair Oaks, CA, Oct 05, 2008
With its witty book by Terrence McNally and tuneful score by Stephen Flaherty, "Ragtime" was a hit with audiences and critics alike when it opened on Broadway in early 1998. It had a massive cast,... Expand
With its witty book by Terrence McNally and tuneful score by Stephen Flaherty, "Ragtime" was a hit with audiences and critics alike when it opened on Broadway in early 1998. It had a massive cast, more than 30 songs and extraordinary production values, and I'm delighted to report that the version currently being mounted by SDG is the closest you're ever going to come to enjoying a true Broadway experience in Saratoga. They've got a stellar cast, a first-rate orchestra and some of the best costumes I've ever seen on any stage. RaMond Thomas is perfectly cast as Coalhouse Walker, a Harlem musician whose tale is at once heroic, sympathetic and tragically disatrous. This is a handsome and unmissable epic augmented by an imaginatively choreographed "Pas de Deux" danced by the beautiful newcomer Denise Lum. Collapse
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Event Name: Ragtime
"Spectacular and moving production!"
Review posted by: Gillian from San Jose, Oct 05, 2008
A powerful experience from beginning to end, Ragtime got standing ovations opening night. Saratoga has done a wonderful job with all of the elements, from sets to costumes to lighting to orchestra... Expand
A powerful experience from beginning to end, Ragtime got standing ovations opening night. Saratoga has done a wonderful job with all of the elements, from sets to costumes to lighting to orchestra - and of course outstanding performers. It's hard to single out highlights among so many, but Barbara Reynolds as Mother was a tremendous singer and nuanced actress; Tracy Camp (Sarah) and RaMond Thomas (Coalhouse) were beautifully paired as ill-fated lovers; James Flaherty was utterly believable in his letter-perfect turn as Younger Brother; and Paula Warren brought the house down as Sarah's Friend in the Act 1 finale. The terrific, lively ensemble infused everything with life. The only issue was a few scenes that seemed too crowded with people. Still, it was worth crowding to hear the 55-strong cast sing together! A very special show - don't miss it! Collapse
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Event Name: Out of My Trunk, Out of My Mind, 3-D
"A Smorgasbord of Talent"
Review posted by: Dianne C. from San Jose, Jul 26, 2008
I went to this wonderful revue not knowing just what to expect. It was a relaxed and fun evening of a wide variety of songs which I had never heard. The talented cast was definitely having fun and... Expand
I went to this wonderful revue not knowing just what to expect. It was a relaxed and fun evening of a wide variety of songs which I had never heard. The talented cast was definitely having fun and it was nice to see the actual composer onstage as the host. There was everything from silly and hysterically funny songs, to some very serious works that will hopefully be produced in their entirety. The evening moved quickly and was very entertaining. The crowd wasn't very large but they enjoyed it, too. There are some songs here you probably won't see anywhere else, so I recommend going to hear not just the songs but the great singers, too! Collapse
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