Stars of the Broadway show Ragtime autographed copies of the musical's newly released original Broadway cast album on April 29 at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, New York.

Ready with pens in hand were Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Friedman, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald and Mark Jacoby, along with composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens. The album, released on RCA Victor on April 28, was produced by Jay David Saks and engineered by James Nichols.

At the 11:30 AM starting time, a line of some 80 people snaked around the lower level of the record-seller. A promotional video from the CD was shown on one of the giant screens in the store, and announcements throughout the autograph session kept fans coming.

No official total of visitors was given, RCA Victor spokesperson Marilyn Egol reported that more than 600 were ultimately served during the 90-minute signing, of the store's most successful cast album signings ever.

April 30 was an especially busy day for Ahrens & Flaherty, whose animated film, Anastasia was released on video the same day. Immediately after the signing, the pair departed for the airport, en route to Washington DC where Ragtime was to have its premiere, also April 29.

The Broadway Ragtime opened at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 18, 1998.