Ragtime
Lincoln Center Theater's revival of the Ahrens & Flaherty turn-of-the-century epic.
- Theatre
- Vivian Beaumont Theatre
- 150 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023
- Opened
- October 16, 2025
- Run time
- 2h 45m
About Ragtime
Ragtime, the epic musical from the acclaimed duo Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, returns to Broadway in a new Lincoln Center Theater revival. This production stages at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, a distinctive thrust stage venue located in the heart of Lincoln Center at 150 W 65th St, New York, NY. The musical first opened on October 16, 2025, bringing its expansive narrative to a new generation of theatergoers.
Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century in New York, Ragtime weaves together the stories of three disparate groups: an affluent white family in New Rochelle, a Black pianist from Harlem, and a Jewish immigrant and his daughter. As their lives intertwine, the musical explores themes of class, race, immigration, and the American Dream during a period of significant social and economic change. The production is known for its complex score, blending period-specific sounds with traditional musical theatre elements, and its rich, multi-layered storytelling that reflects the diverse tapestry of American society at the turn of the century.
Audiences attending Ragtime can expect a powerful and sweeping theatrical experience. The production runs for approximately 165 minutes, offering a substantial and immersive journey through its historical setting and character arcs. The musical’s book, penned by Terrence McNally, is celebrated for its intricate plotting and compelling character development, derived from E. L. Doctorow's seminal novel. This revival at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre provides an opportunity to engage with a work that remains profoundly relevant, examining the foundational challenges and aspirations that continue to shape the United States. Its grand scale and poignant narrative make it a notable event in the Broadway season.
Seeing Ragtime live
What attending this kind of production is like
Theatre rewards attention to the room. Sound carries differently, entrances and exits are part of the staging, and the audience's collective quiet is something a recording cannot reproduce.
Seat position changes what you notice rather than only how well you see. Front-of-orchestra seats give you faces and detail but a steep angle on staging; further back and one level up you gain the full picture and choreography, which many productions are designed around.
The performance you choose matters too. Weeknight, matinee and weekend performances tend to draw different audiences, and casting can vary between performances in ways published by the production rather than by us.
Timing is unforgiving in theatre. Curtain times are firm, latecomers are seated at the house's discretion, and interval length is set by the production — so build the evening around the published start time.
Last reviewed 2026-09-08
Ragtime ticket buying guide
Understanding theatre seating language before you compare offers
Learn the vocabulary of the house you are attending. Orchestra or stalls seating sits at stage level; mezzanine, dress circle or balcony levels rise behind or above it. The same words describe different geometry in different theatres, so read the specific venue's layout.
Sightlines matter as much as distance. Overhangs, side angles and safety rails affect what you can see, and a well-placed seat further back often beats a cheap seat at an extreme angle.
Choose the performance deliberately. Matinees, weeknights and weekends differ in atmosphere and availability, and any casting information should come from the production itself.
Compare all-in totals for the exact number of seats you need, and check whether the seats you are considering are genuinely adjacent.
Last reviewed 2026-09-08
Ragtime ticket questions
Where is Ragtime currently performing?
This page shows only venue and city relationships we have verified and stored. It does not assert a current production location or run, and it does not publish performance schedules.
What is the difference between orchestra, mezzanine and balcony?
Orchestra (or stalls) seating is at stage level, mezzanine or dress circle sits above and behind it, and balcony levels are higher still. Each trades proximity for a fuller view of the staging, and the exact geometry is set by the theatre.
Will performance dates appear here?
Only when they are verified. Until then the inventory section stays empty rather than showing dates we cannot confirm.
Last reviewed 2026-09-08
Upcoming performances & tickets
Verified ticket inventory will appear here when available.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Ragtime about?
- Ragtime tells the story of three disparate groups—an affluent white family, a Black pianist, and Jewish immigrants—whose lives intersect in New York at the turn of the 20th century, exploring themes of class, race, and the American Dream.
- Where is Ragtime playing?
- Ragtime is playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, located at 150 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023.
- How long is Ragtime?
- The running time for Ragtime is approximately 165 minutes.
- Who wrote Ragtime?
- Ragtime features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally, based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow.
- When did this revival of Ragtime open?
- This Lincoln Center Theater revival of Ragtime opened on October 16, 2025.
- Is Ragtime a family-friendly show?
- The musical addresses mature themes of race, class, and social injustice pertinent to the early 20th century, so parental discretion is advised for younger viewers.