For Those Who Saw the Nero Reading

[esparza 333]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 11:30am

Do you think it is possible that it could sweep the tony awards and get the rave reviews Spring Awakening got?

[Chris92188]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 11:56am

I'm not sure how it would fare at the Tony awards just because it's VERY similar to Spring Awakening and thus not as "groundbreaking" in comparison, but I imagine it would be well-reviewed and have quite a successful commercial run.


The mood is markedly darker in this piece, and, fortunately, there's no super saccharine ending to redeem the despicable title character. It's a refreshing project from this duo, especially because Sheik's music proves much better suited to this darker subject. And, although it's a super transparent commentary on today's political climate, it's still an extremely effective one nevertheless.


I imagine the maturity of this piece will hold strong appeal for Spring Awakening's original but now-more-grown-up fans. Moreover, I'm confident Idina, if she stays with this project, will receive great reviews and probably a Tony nod. Her name, coupled with Shiek & Sater's, is more than enough to draw audiences for quite some time.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:06pm

Who does Idina Play?

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:08pm

His mistress.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 1:04pm

I think it could easily get raves and win tonys, I'm not really sure if it could be a huge finacial sucess though, as its much darker and sophisticated than Spring Awakening. But, I thought it was great and the cast was amazing, I really hope Idina, Lea MIchele, and Michael Arden will stay with it

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 2:27pm

What I saw at Vassar is no where near ready for Broadway or any TONYs at this point.
A lot of work has to be done on the book and they have to come up with a somewhat shell of a storyline, right now it is a series of one or two maybe three person scenes with no thru line and characters keep coming back as ghosts which was kind of confusion.
The actors sing mostly presentational, as in SPRING AWAKENING.
The story of Nero is definitely up Sater and Sheik's "alley", but what I saw is still on a journey, with much structurial work.
The cast was incredible.

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 4:34pm

Will they be doing this again? If so where and When? I'm so sad I missed it.

[Gary Indiana]

Posted: 7/20/08 at 1:30am

I agree with CurtainDullPower. Any staged reading is far from Broadway/Tony ready, so it's hard to predict this early in the game. However, I personally enjoyed it a lot and think that it has the potential to become a really great, and hopefully sucessful, musical eventually.

coolkid...last I heard, they were planning to do a workshop in the spring, but as far as I know the exact date and location are yet to be determined.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/20/08 at 1:37am

Is this about Laura, Franco or Emperor?