Deaf West's Spring Awakening Broadway Previews — Page 5

I guess that makes sense. There have been times when I've been sitting in a theatre and the music is so loud it feels like my bones are vibrating. It's weird to think that some of the cast can't hear the music but they can still feel that vibration in their body.

I saw it tonight. I liked it. I'm surprised that so many here are just raving about it. I guess I shouldn't have read the board before I went, because it was SO hyped in this thread (by most) that I went in expecting life changing. But, that said, I enjoyed it. I didn't absolutely love it, but it was good. I will say one thing, and this is not a criticism, so before I get yelled at, I repeat, this is not a criticism-- there's a bit of an amateurish quality in the atmosphere with this production, which makes it stand apart from the original. The production is not amateurish, and I'm not saying it is-- but there's a youthful hope, a naive energy, a genuine joy that often only comes from the unjaded (inexperienced). And that makes the production feel special. I feel like I said it well, but I think someone is still going to yell at me that I'm giving this show a backhanded compliment. I'm not.

Stunning. Not better than the original, nor less. It is incredibly distinct from the first production.

This is what a revival should be: a fresh take on previously produced material. Not for a moment did I feel as though ideas were recycled. Rather, I felt Arden went line-to-line to find his production. Not unlike a skilled Regie-opera director, he dissects the piece to find either a new meaning or, in this case, a new way to telegraph its meaning.

Jordan: I will admit I missed Leah a wee bit during Whispering (I duck at the vase you may be throwing at my head), but let's face it: if you were lucky enough to see the original cast, any other cast will probably pale by comparison. If the production had any faults, it was simply that these performances will not leave the same impression that their predecessors did nor make a better impression.

Other than that, this production is a prime example of why a revival should be produced soon after an original production's closing.

Easily, a must see revival of the fall (and it's the first!).

Updated On: 9/11/15 at 11:53 PM

I saw him as well.

^ a little over 2.5 hours including intermission.

Despite Andy M's tweet and the hype behind this show (including being a former best musical winner), there is sadly an abundance of tickets available. Is this show having a slow start?

"With crowds like that, we'll run till January!"

Anyone can cares whether a show is making a profit (I personally find it interesting).

Ok, I've been holding off on opening this thread until I saw the show. Just skimmed all 5 pages, and I agree with the majority of you. I enjoyed it a lot. I know many of these things have already been mentioned a lot, but I'd like to add my 2 cents as well, if you don't mind :)

What I loved:

-The ASL. I was worried it would feel a bit too gimmicky, but it doesn't at all. It feels so organic, and actually creates beautiful images on stage. It acts as its own form of choreography, and it's beautiful.

-The direction as a whole. Brilliantly staged, and often very emotionally powerful. I loved the interaction between the characters and the actors who do their voices. I also love the occasional moments when the deaf actors use their own voices. As others have said, it creates a striking balance of vulnerability and power.

-Krysta Rodriquez. In the second act, she plays Ilse much more mentally unstable than I've ever seen it played before. And it was indeed chilling. I had heard about the chilling moment when she used to take off her wig, and I wish they had kept it in. Maybe they decided to change it now that her hair is beginning to grow back? I'm she she had a lot of say in the matter, so obviously we should trust her own comfort level and opinions.

-Patrick Page. Terrifying, as he often is in his villain roles. (SPOILER) One moment that REALLY struck me was the moment that Arden (I'm assuming) had him mock the real voice of one of the deaf students. Horrifying and chilling (END SPOILER)

-Honestly, almost every cast member was really amazing.

Critiques:

-There was a very specific look to the LIGHTING of the original production, and this production looked much the same. I wish they had done something more unique with the lighting.

-Unfortunately, Marlee Matlin did sort of fade into the background because of the split characters, which was a real shame given her talent and prestige.

-That moment in Totally F*cked when Melchoir is like a rockstar and everyone is cheering for him? WTF was that? One of the few moments of direction that didn't work for me.

-(SPOILER) That ending moment with the trees was really interesting, but the one thing I was hoping/expecting they'd do was to SHUT those doors on the adults as they attempt to follow the teenagers through.

I can't imagine them making an audio recording of a deaf theatre production. I'd love a new cast album that doesn't sound as robotic as the OBC recording but I don't see them making a cast album unless someone has a brilliant idea to make it more inclusive with video content or something. Maybe just film it instead but that's costly too.

Excuse my extreme ignorance, but just to clarify do the actors with hearing impairment sing at all? How does it 'work'?

Updated On: 9/12/15 at 09:11 PM

This video might help you understand the concept a bit more. There are two actors, one speaking/singing and one signing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRMw1Axvwxg