Just got back from NERO...

The audience was specifically asked prior to the performance not to release any specific information about the work, the score, the storyline etc, because it would be unfair to the creators, specifically Steven Sater and Duncan Shiek. And therefore I'm not going to go into any detail with spoilers or specifics.

But I will say this. It has a HUGE amount of potential to meet, or even surpass "Spring Awakening" in terms of excellence. I was floored at how brilliant it was this early in development, and cannot wait to see the evolution of this production.

And the cast? Holy crap! Idina was phenomenal in her role and came near to stealing every scene she was in...I was shocked because it is a much darker role than anything she has ever done before and she nailed it...but I cannot say more about that. Let me just say that if she managed to make it in this production to Broadway, she would have at least three new songs that would be considered classics within her canon.

I would love to see Lea Michelle take this role to Broadway--she fit the production perfectly and managed to have such a grasp on the character despite having little time to work on it, and her role broke my heart and proved she can do more...much more...than just Spring Awakening--though no one sings Shiek balads like her.

In the lead, Jeffrey Carlson was a ball of fire and energy and could become a huge star if the show were to become a hit. He WAS Nero. The rest of the supporting cast was on the ball as well, specifically Michael Arden and Laila Robbins.

The one thing I don't really understand about the readings is that I didn't see anyone being asked to leave feedback or give specific points on their thoughts on the songs and production. I would have loved to have the chance to do that, but no dice, I suppose...

AH! I hope this comes to Broadway soon...

thoughts on Michael Arden?

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or even surpass "Spring Awakening" in terms of excellence.

People are posting such funny things today.

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Nothing against those who have already posted, but did anyone else see this? I'm curious if any other board regulars (whose taste I'm more familiar with) went and could give it a GENERAL thumbs up or thumbs down.

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"or even surpass "Spring Awakening" in terms of excellence"

...eh F*CK it...Blaxx beat me to it.

A friend of mine saw it and... Her reaction was completely different.

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Updated On: 7/14/08 at 07:53 AM

I feel the lyrics had a similar style to Spring Awakening, where they seem to go on poetically instead of getting right to the point, which some people consider make it "intelligent." There were definitely a lot of parts that I thought could have gotten offensive. It seemed as if they were trying to recreate language used in ancient Greek and Roman literature that is more explicit than we use nowadays. Regardless, I still found the music to be very beautiful.

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Another one laughing at "or even surpass "Spring Awakening" in terms of excellence"

I've been on a search in Manhattan for the BEST ITALIAN restaurant. I didn't think it was possible to "even surpass Olive Garden in terms of excellence". . . lol

Without saying too much and trying to be vague(its so early in the life of the show...)

The Good
1. Really interesting plot/concept for a musical
2. The cast - they were fantastic. Especially the woman playing the mother.
3. The orchestrations and the melodies of the songs themselves. Very lush.

Could use some attention
1. I'd get rid of all the lyrics, almost none advanced the plot - the action ground to a halt every time people started singng.
2. The dialogue was very stilted, sort of like an old hollywood... Roman... movie or something.

I probably shouldn't comment on this at all since I'm one of those people who didn't care for Spring Awakening. I do think they've got some interesting ideas though.

And again.. that cast... wow. Just wow.

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I don't like the idea of the "old school Roman" book idea. I always thought Spring Awakening was incredibly boring during its book scenes especially in the heavier German scenes.

Of COURSE this would turn into a "bashing Spring Awakening" thread.

How tiring...

I really wanted to honor the request of not expressing opinions in a public forum, it's almost impossible these days.
But these are the same people who Love the internet when it goes in their favor. And they charge for the performance, so
I'll be brief because it is obviously "in progress" and new material was being put in very quickly.
The book and the lyrics, I feel, need a lot of work, for many of the reasons stated above.
The music and arrangements were wonderful, a little more "modern" than SPRING AWAKENING., I loved the music and the cast sang it magically, especially Arden, Michele and Idina in drop dead red, singing her T*ts off. Her second Act ballad, which I was told was written 3 days ago, was beautiful.

A stronger plot and more dramatic action could help, but there is the bare bones of something great, if they can pull a story out of the legend.

Updated On: 7/14/08 at 01:23 PM