Kyle Riabko in Spring Awakening — Page 3

Christine Estabrook is back. I loved her as the Adult Women. I saw Kate Burton the second time I saw the show and didn't think she was even close to the level that Christine was on.

And Glenn is actually horrible. Every one of his characters is the same. His best part is being the creepy guy talking to Ilse, and that's one line.

I'm excited that they decided to make the hayloft scene darker. I can understand why the producers wanted it to be more ambiguous, but that scene always bugged me. And I just watched a few of Kyle Riabko's youtube videos, and I'm excited to see how he does.

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Blaxx, I love you.

I generally stay out of the "Is Spring Awakening any good?" debates, because they're pointless, and I loved the show and don't care if people on BWW did or didn't.

However, to say the show only appeals to tweens is an absurd statement. The critics that raved about it weren't tweens, nor is the majority of its audiences. The last time I was at the show (Groff and Michele's last performance), while there were a decent amount of teenagers there, the vast majority of the audience was adults, and they enjoyed the show every bit as much as the "tweens."

No, I don't think they're playing it as an "out and out rape," either. It doesn't sound that way, it just sounds closer to the original intention of Wedekind's text, which, if it's true and noticeable, I'm glad to hear. It wouldn't fit because the entire show is still tilted to romanticize the story; it's what the writers chose to do.

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I can't wait to see the show again with Kyle this time.

Sebastian,

You completely missed my point. If someone who's a fan of the show says that an older person can't enjoy it - then it proves my point: THE SHOW DOES NOT WORK. And this person who loves it but who's mom's, dad's, great-grandfather's uncle didn't like it? Well, then they don't even see the problem there

Does ANYONE get what I'm saying besides TDH?

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Aww, I'm glad to hear that Kyle's on Broadway...to a certain degree. Just worried how many times some people are going to try to maul him.

I remember my friend who saw him open at a John Mayer concert told me to listen to his CD a while back.

As someone who clearly qualifies in the "old" category in the age based part of the thread, I can say with certainty (if anyone still cares)that it is possible to be "old" and still love the show. My daughter and I have seen it three times (don't hold that against us as we live five states away) including Jonathan and Lea's final performance where we were both on our feet clapping nearly non-stop. The only acknowlegement of age was that my daughter also screamed while I settled for clapping my hands black and blue...

As an "old" person, I love the show for more than just the songs i can't stop singing, the energy and enthusiasm of the performers and the refreshing break from typical Broadway. I also love the show because it manages to bring up so many issues that will always matter. When I forwarded a link to one of the videos from that last performance to my "old" friends I explained: "It is a rock musical adaptation of a previously banned play on teenage angst, sexuality, homosexuality, idealism, depression, suicide, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, love, sex education, back-alley abortions, and parental expectations in an oppressive and conservative society – Germany 1891." The show manages to bring every one of those issues to the audience without ever lecturing or feeling overwhelming. The comic moments and the driving "in your face" songs take the edge off the heavier moments. It is rare that a show works on that deep an emotional level and an intellectual level.

Nothing works for everyone, but I'll be back. In fact, i found this thread because I was looking to see what people thought of Kyle's peformance.

I second that "old" emotion. I'm 40+ and thoroughly enjoy the show, and am looking forward to seeing Riabko as he leads the touring production. I imagine by the time the show reaches Toronto next year he will have well settled into the role. I saw Groff/Michele last month and thoroughly enjoyed their performances (having had the cast album since last year I had some idea of what to expect from the show, but was still surprised by a couple of things). What also impresses me is how the show is bringing young people into the theatre. If a quality piece of drama/theatre/music can turn on young people the way movies/video games/concerts/clubs can, than that is a truly great thing.

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I'd like to revive this thread to say that Kyle Riabko's acting is atrocious and at times laughable which is a shame since he has a gorgeous, gorgeous voice.

I saw today's matinee.

I saw tonight's show. Other than Kyle Riabko, the show is in great shape.

Alexandra Socha is lovely as Wendla, though she doesn't possess the big voice Lea Michele had. This made Whispering a bit anti-climactic (no one is ever going to do the "but he touched me and I let him love me..." bit as well as she did). However, her acting more than made up for quieter voice (which wasn't bad, just not as belty). I've seen her twice before when she was Michele's understudy, and she has continued to grow in the role. She plays Wendla very naive, much more innocently than Michele did. It also helps that she looks about eleven.

Blake Bashoff remains extraordinary, and at the moment, is giving the best performance in the cast. He makes several interesting, daring choices with his Moritz that makes it very distinctive for him. His voice has also gotten better during the course of his run. I can't speak highly enough of him.

As for Riabko....I'll echo the general sentiments at the moment. Wonderful voice, but really horrible, laughable, even, acting. The role of Melchior is ripe for over-acting and scenery chewing, in the hands of the wrong actor. Sadly, Riabko falls into both of those traps, probably because he's not a trained actor. Groff's performance (and even Jesse Swenson's, who I also saw once) was very nuanced and well-thought out. Riabko, sadly, is very one-note. Lots of yelling and exaggerated facial expressions. I didn't think anyone in the cast could over-act more than Glenn Feschler, but Riabko matches him. It's a pity, because his voice is fantastic.

My only other complaint tonight (besides the always horrendous Glenn Feschler) is that Christine Estabrook, whom I have always loved in the role, has gotten a bit hammy. She needs some notes from Michael Mayer about turning it down a couple of notches.

Oh, Gerard was on as Hanschen tonight. He was excellent. The interesting thing about that was that he was my 5th Hanschen. I've seen more actors in that role than other one in the show. I've seen Jonathan B. Wright, Drew Tyler Bell, Matt Doyle, Jesse Swenson, and now Gerard.

I also have to put in a positive comment for Skylar, who is still as energetic and entertaining as he was in the beginning. His energy level was fantastic.

Updated On: 7/10/08 at 12:12 AM

Everythingtaboo, check your PM's. The gent you were chatting with was me!

The interesting thing about tonight's audience was that as quiet as they were during the show, the response at the curtain call was quite enthusiastic. More so than it normally is. Maybe they were just holding it all in until the end.

Can't wait to go back next month to check out Hunter Parrish...