| Goals |
The Raggedy Ann Revival Effort (or R.A.R.E.) is an online volunteer effort dedicated to preserving, archiving, and eventually reviving the 1986 Broadway musical Raggedy Ann/Rag Dolly.
Despite the disappointing response on Broadway, we have discovered that Rag Dolly has remained relevant in Russia, Ukraine, and the surrounding area after it played there for a cultural exchange. The show in its original state (or, close to it) is not a failure, it is still being performed to this day. We believe that this smaller-scale context is where Rag Dolly thrives, in the hands of community and school theaters where it can be accessible to all. We have no plans to return the show to a large stage like Broadway, and believe trying to do so is detrimental to the material itself.
Through our research and recovery of the show's scripts, footage, and press coverage, alongside our own interviews of several cast members, we intend to diagnose and avoid pitfalls that halted the original production. Our goal is to stay as true to the original form of the show as possible. We have many personal connections to the show’s themes of grief, loss, and overcoming hopelessness, and we will not be making any changes that soften these important messages. At the same time, we are taking measures to clean up any offensive material.
We are serious in our endeavor and are approaching the unknowns with curiosity and initiative. We have created a good relationship with the Raposo and Gibson estates. Recently, we were given authorization to perform a small concert of some of the music, and are in the process of attaining licensing for future workshops.
If you have any questions or would like to reach out on how you can help, send us an email at theraggedyannrevivaleffort@gmail.com.
| Meet the Organizers |
While we've listed individual roles, the majority of our work is highly collaborative and it's difficult to define lines between our different areas. The bulk of our work involving community event planning, making major desicions in the revival process, and especially script revision, is done with a consensus from all of the organizing party.
Gwyneth “Gwyn” Gaunt
Founder - (she/him)
Gwyn is a musical theatre major from Cincinnati, OH (and is obnoxiously proud of how much she loves her city.) She enjoys telling absolutely everyone she knows about RARE, and also loves drawing, building puppets, composing, writing, and making unique art!
Favorite Rag Dolly quote:
“A heart that’s filled with love is strong and always will endure.”
Presley Ellison
Treasurer/Archivist - (any pronouns)
Presley (sometimes known as Ronnie) is a performer and theater enthusiast from Wisconsin. When they are not seen performing on local stages, they enjoy knitting and crocheting, collecting dolls, and petting cats.
Favorite Rag Dolly quote:
“This cloud has a hole in it!”
Brooklyn Williams
Historian/Archivist - (any pronouns)
Brooklyn is a theater technician and artist who works in Portland, OR, where they design for masque and puppetry performances. They love coding, sewing, and seeing local theater, and are currently writing and directing their own play for a festival in October.
Favorite Rag Dolly quote:
"Thank goodness they at least have muzak in this dungeon"
Mckenah Rose
Interview Coordinator - (she/her)
Mckenah has been invested in a Rag Dolly revival since she discovered the show at 12. She’s now a doll artist with an online business (Rose Raggedys) and plans to one day create dolls and costumes for the revival. In her free time she enjoys sewing, cosplay, and taking care of her pet canary.
Favorite Rag Dolly quote:
“Dreams are as real as anything else”
Grey Lee
Mediator/Consultant - (he/him)
Grey is a university student in Maryland who loves theater, digital art, and all things Raggedy Ann. After graduation, he plans to teach theater arts at a private school in Florida.
Favorite Rag Dolly quote:
“Got any dynamite?”
| Appearances |
Links to the interviews and conversations RARE has had with original Raggedy Ann cast members can be found on our Archives page.
|
Raggedy Ann Rally experiences a renaissance among young adults
Read Ben Crane's article for The County Chronicle about our appearance at the Raggedy Ann Rally in Arcola IL. June 11 2024.
|
Rag Dolly Revue at the Raggedy Ann Rally, June 7th 2024
The Raggedy Ann Revival Effort's performance of a showcase of songs from the Rag Dolly musical, presented by RARE Theatricals LLC. The Rag Dolly Revue is also the public debut of new music arrangements and lyric revisions, with permission from the Raposo estate to use this performance as a test before discussing proper workshops. This is the first step towards our goal of a full revival.
The show was part of the festivities taking place during the Raggedy Ann Rally in Arcola, Illinois, a yearly get-together of Raggedy Ann fans that has been gathering since 1989. The organizers are very supportive of our Revival Effort and helping us get this performance off the ground."
|
RARE Livestream - Organizer Q&A
|
Revival Effort Speech at Raggedy Ann Rally Banquet 2023
Gwyn Gaunt and Brooklyn Williams were asked to give a speech about the musical, RARE-- how we began and our goals, at the Raggedy Ann Rally Banquet in Arcola, IL." Jun 12, 2023.
|
Raggedy Ann Revival Effort Q&A - hosted by Garrett Gilchrist (3-3-2022)
RARE organizers Gwyn, Ronnie, and Brooklyn answer questions from Garrett and the chat about digging up lost media, the lesser-known details of the early productions, and the effort's plans for a revival script. Garrett is a lost media archivist and restorer who has worked on countless projects including the 1977 Raggedy Ann and Andy film. This work led to him researching the Raggedy Ann musical along with fellow archivist Vinnie Rattolle; together building the foundation for RARE’s beginnings."
|
Lost Media Found in 2021 | blameitonjorge
|
Update on the Raggedy Ann Musical: FOUND MEDIA!
An update to Colin LooksBack's video from three years ago, Looking Back on the Raggedy Ann Musical (On Screen and Stage), now that the full show has been found. Sep 6, 2021.