theatermom, different opinions are good in a discussion and shouldn't necessarily be construed as argument.
The reason I commented was that I think it's important to remember that different programs have different focusses and Steinhardt's MT program is in the school of music so it's obviously not going to have the acting focus that Tisch would have. It wouldn't be possible for their students to have the depth of acting training that those in Tisch receive, just as the reverse would be true for Tisch students and music classes. That really was my reason for posting. (Another thing to remember is that this type of comment from students is fairly common when discussing Steinhardt and Tisch with students in each program, as there seems to be a fairly strong rivalry between the two MT programs, especially this year with disputes over performance venues, etc.) I would just like to comment, though, on Ragtime. It wasn't just the NYU community which gave the show rave reviews. There were reviews, both print and online, by theatre critics in the city who are not NYU affiliated, who thought the show was wonderful, as did, as I said, Ahrens, Flaherty, and Doctorow themselves.
Having said that, no show is going to be universally liked by everyone. Even the most popular shows on Broadway have knowledgeable people who have opposing opinions. Wicked is a good example of this. It reminds me of the discussion here about The Light in the Piazza which so many loved. Yet, I have two friends who do casting for Telsey who didn't enjoy the show at all with the exception of Victoria Clark's performance. I guess it is these types of vagaries which make me love live theatre. Every performance is somewhat unique and there's always the possibility if you don't enjoy a show the first time you see it, that you'll enjoy it the next.