Wheels of a Dream - Ragtime

[kjtenorman]

Did the conductor realize how ridiculously slow he was taking this?

[puccinilover]

The Awkward Moment Renee Fleming sings with more soul than Denyce Graves

[ChicagoWizard1]

I love this song and musical... That lady was terrible.

[EileenMGray]

It's not that Denyce Graves is bad-my God, she's a stunning singer-it's that NOBODY will ever replace Audra McDonald. Her soaring vocals created a musical signature that will mark this song forever. BSM and Audra made more than music together---they made magic.

[vigilante1294]

she has a nice voice.... just not really suited for this p[articular song

[mstephens1992]

I just saw him sing this song live tonight! amazing!

[MrDIZZANATOR]

did u guys see brian stokes mitchell in sweeney todd thats crazy he put black and crazy on a whole new level ( i am black)

[MrMusicman25]

this girl cant sing this part for shit!

its not an opera sweetheart.

Go play mable in Pirates of Penzance!

[Ramahjones15]

Love this song. I sang it once

[tre103]

she's no audra mcdonald, shes terrible

[jacobdmarsing]

Brian Stokes Mitchell is the only evidence I need to prove to me that there is a god.

[dasteufelhund]

Glorious!

[Paulinrnke]

what a bunch of crap! the choir and the conductor felt they needed the spotlight just when mitchell builds to the climax. terrible, unfulfilling arrangement. i bet it was frustrating for mitchell too.

[JoshuaMars99]

I don't think Denyce Graves is bad, but I am absolutely not a fan of her musical style. I think her styling and voice could more appropriate for a song that is more operatic in nature, which this song is not. The rearranging of the song also does not to do it many favors. I believe a choir can be integrated, but not in that style. Also, the climax sounds distorted.

[dasteufelhund]

God damn....Mitchelll's voice is magnificent!

[musiccoloratura]

absolutly wow !!!!!

[mozartfan1]

Well, at least Denyce Graves doesn't try to flat out copy Audra McDonald, like in Renee Fleming's horrid version...

[TiffanyNewsNetwork]

I do NOT like her voice at all for the part.

[Singact02]

@TiffanyNewsNetwork I totally agree. Not disputing her talent at all, but she is definitely not the right person to be singing that song. She sounds like she's trying to sing Opera and there is a big difference between Opera & Musical Theater.

[CouncilMaster]

I can see what people from both sides are saying. What people need to realize however is that different artists have different renditions. They aren't really similar enough to say one is better than the other, because Denyce Graves for one is singing in a completely different octave than Audra.

[alexmz123]

Audra is Audra. Period. She is a goddess! LOL!

[musicismylifeals]

I was at this performance and was COMPLETELY blown away!!!!

[leadoff123]

I do think she has a great voice, just not for this song. She slows the powerful tempo. When I saw him, he made this a solo. It was amazing.

[jongzo]

The difference between Audra McDonald singing the part and Denyce Graves is that Audra was singing the song in context of the show. Denyce, likely given only the music and not much about Ragtime, is singing focused purely on the music not the character as Audra does. Ahrens &Flaherty write amazing music for character and if it were someone other than Brian Stokes Mitchell, because he gives us a context, people on this board wouldn't be insulting Denyce Graves and see how good the music is

[patriciazoeburke]

Well put!

[couturesixfour]

@jongzo i have never been a fan of Graves, but this honestly is not a good moment for her. i have heard her much better!! but, we all are human!!

[ginoseast123]

@jongzo Denise not know the story of the song is flat out not right...EVERY sings analyses the songs and the context in what they are singing, at least any professional does....and its RagTime! everyone who's in Musical theatre knows about it, especially if you are black....so Denise is not good at the sing AT ALL, her voice is NOT good....even for classical opera

[danefritz2006]

@ginoseast123 um denyce graves is an amazing opera singer...listen to her Habanero or Ave Maria....just because she isnt right for THIS type of music, does not mean she is a terrible singer!

[Dathan]

We could all have been there front row and left with varied opinions. I just don't think her voice is a good match with Brians. That might be in part because I have heard him and Audra sing together.

[liljohnm]

Brian Was much better during his orginal run in 1998-2001 in the original run with ragtime...

[ShawDAMAN]

Mitchell is the star here, he's fantastic.

[JoyceLicorish]

I have had the honor of working with Denyce on some Indidnapolis Opera productions as a member of the chorus and this WOMAN has an INCREDIBLE gift. You people don't know what you are talking about. I will agree this isnt her best performance but it is still breathtaking!

[9546aw]

If anyone does not think Denyce Graves is a good singer, please watch her rendition of the Lords Prayer at the National Prayer service after 9/11/2001. She is an absolutely spectacular mezzo soprano, World class. Some of the comments here only demonstrate ignorance of what a superlative singer should sound like.

[gudork]

She sucks!!!!!!!

[fasted227]

i mean.. she's a beat behind the entire song! lazy mezzo

[fasted227]

wow. she's awful. opera singers are the worst with realistic vocal expression.

[mvdominicansinger]

i disagree just because she is bad doesnt mean all opera singers are bad with expression i dont even think she a good opera singer if she even does any opera

[pluper222]

If she does any opera?? That is Denyce Graves for god sake.

JEEEEZZZ!!!!!

[dubbsakamelodee]

Really? Is that your expert opinion? Audra McDonald, the original performer of this song with Brian, is a trained Opera singer that ended up becoming an actress.

[jojoyoyo2006]

Geesh, that woman destroys the song....I know Audra was busy with Private Practice, but come on....better casting please!

[jaibright]

That was denyce graves...i don't think anyone can tell denyce graces how to sing ragtime.

[BroadwayKeepsMeGoing]

Well apparently they can she shouldn't ever try Alto ever again!

[jaibright]

if u knew anything about her you would know she was a Mezza Soprano..she was raised in the alto section.

[jaibright]

*Mezzo Soprano

[BroadwayKeepsMeGoing]

Actually sweety I knew that.

But like I was saying her voice does not fit this range at all. I love her, but this was not a proud moment.

[jaibright]

Oh ok...to each his own

[nofiov]

SHAME YOU CANT HEAR IT

[sonofjuliet99]

This video is an exerpt of the choir's weekly broadcast called, "Music and the Spoken Word." The broadcast was a highlights version of a concert we did (i'm in the choir) called The Tanner Gift of Music. I have to say that this was probably one of my most favorite concerts I've ever done. Stokes and Denyce were absolutely the most gracious performers you can imagine and so humble. Stokes was the original Coalhouse in Ragtime when it won the Tony, so he absolutely fits this song woody!

[theBestArts]

Thanks for commenting! I really enjoy these performances...

[Beaslby]

I love Brian Stokes Mitchell but I don't like Denyce Graves with this song. Her voice just doesn't match the song for me. Audra McDonald's voice fits with his so much better!

[woodyhighwhiteboy]

i dont like this guy... its not an opera

[beffcow]

I don't think anyone can tell Brian Stokes Mitchell how to sing Ragtime.

[neb20210]

hi bestartsmusic can u ask them for the clip where she sings alone, cuz thats where she really shined in this show.

[theBestArts]

As I replied to your earlier message, I don't have any more clips from the show. Sorry!

[theBestArts]

P.S. - theBestArts and BestArtsMusic are 2 of our 8 YouTube channels...

[neb20210]

hi bestartmusic Denyce Graves also sang a solo on this same program called "going home" (am not quite sure if that is the title but those were some of the words) can u post that song plz

[theBestArts]

I wish I could - but this video was sent to me by someone else to post and I don't have any of the rest of the concert. Denyce is wonderful...

[shadeanddeath]

I was at this performance and it was amazing!!!

[JessyeNormanFan]

There's another wonderful performance on DVD by Renee Flemming and Bryn Terfel.

[dreamerjj]

Mindblowing.... it's inspirational!!

[imapimpette08]

ew. she's literally....terrible. and what is this arrangement? AND WHERE IS AUDRA???? lol

[sunrisesunset51]

Denyce Graves obviously has a wonderful voice, but it's not right for this song at all. I'm not too keen on the arrangement, either.

But it's a beautiful song and Ragtime is one of my favorite shows. And I am, as always, quite keen on Stokes. Very much so. XD

[kiaketa]

Perfect!I love his voice.

[verliezer69]

thanks for posting another great song/performance...i never heard of ragtime before, is it any good and is there a specific production of it I should watch?

Thanks again, I really enjoy your channel.

[BestArts]

Glad you enjoy our channels - try our website.

Up against incredible competition, ("Lion King", "Cabaret), "Ragtime" received 12 Tony nominations and won 4. Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald and Marin Mazzie all received Best Actor/Actress nominations, with Audra winning the award.

I'm not aware of a "Ragtime" production available on DVD, but watch for YouTube videos including any of the above stars.

A new production will start in Apr/May 2009 at the Kennedy Center in DC.