My Thoughts on SPRING AWAKENING - 3rd Preview - 11/18 Matinee

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 6:53pm

It was the 3rd preview, so an actual review isn't fair. These are just a few of my thoughts on Spring Awakening, now playing at the cavernous Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

Yes, the O'Neill is one of the smaller houses, but Spring Awakening is swallowed up whole. Perhaps the Helen Hayes would have been a better choice to keep the intimacy that I had been told about. The only people who can truly connect are sitting on the stage. The orchestra was mostly full, the mezzanine nearly completely empty.

Spring Awakening is not a perfect show by any means. Why it transferred is something I'd like to mull over for a few hours longer. It's perfect in an off-Broadway atmosphere. The show tries to be a mix of Rent and History Boys, both via staging (with characters playing the piano) and emotions. In comparing this with the early days of Rent, the emotions aren't even comparable. Rent wins out, no contest. In comparing it with the recent Rent casts, Spring Awakening wins.

The cast is still finding their footing on Broadway, can't really judge them too harshly. They had great voices, which made up for any acting problems some of them have had. Amongst the standouts are John Gallagher, Jr. as Moritz (who I'm boldly predicting will garner at least a Tony nomination), as well as the two Adult figures, Christine Estabrook and Stephen Spinella (in a part that seems designed to have Anthony Heald play it once). Estabrook and Spinella seemed the most at ease with each other and got the bulk of the laughs. Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele are very good, but not great. They have lovely voices, but they, like the rest, just aren't very convincing. As a whole, though, they work their butts off. For that, they should be commended. Kudos, also, to Lea who exposes her breasts on stage. The scene, at the end of Act One, was originally written as a rape; here it appears consensual.

Duncan Sheik's score is, dare I say, one of the best rock scores I've heard on Broadway to date. Amongst the highlights were "The Bitch of Living," and "Totally F**ked," the two songs the producers are banking on to sell the show. Many of the songs, it seemed, can stand alone, and, if the right Boy/Girl band or soloist takes them on, can be an off the charts hit. I believe that is another problem - the music is able to stand-alone too well and rarely connects with the story, which brings Steven Sater's book down.

Many of the scenes are too disjointed, others completely irrelevent, yet you can still seem to follow them. It could be the actors being unconvincing, but it seems that there are too many of the irrelevent storylines - Moritz and Ilse, Hanschen and Ernst. They come out of nowhere, don't further the plot (it seems the latter is there to show homosexual love rather than heterosexual, which is explicitly seen at the end of Act 1), and is severly underdeveloped except for one line here-and-there. I wouldn't have minded it if only it was expanded. Right now, they don't fit. It seems like they're only there because they were in the original version (and seemed to fit in just as poorly in that).

The story, with back-door abortions and teen suicide, is extremely relevent today. Perhaps they should have set the show in 2006. The 1890s Germany thing doens't do anything besides have a few constant jokes about character names. The problem with the modern wording and the setting, as I'm sure many others have pointed out, is the idea of "would they really say "Oh My God" or "You're Screwed" back in 1890s Germany?"

Kimberly Grigsby, as usual, leads a terrificly tight band. She's still dancing to the music and is fun to watch every now and then, perhaps moreso than the cast. The only difference is that she's fully clothed this time. Christine Jones' set is great, as are Susan Hilferty's costumes. Kevin Adams has spectacularly lit the show. They're all bound for award nominations.

The audience had no idea what to make of the show. They were nearly emotionless throughout except for after a few songs. They gave a near 5-minute standing ovation to an empty stage, though. Someone needs to tell the cast that when people applaud, don't leave them hanging.

The cast was extremely friendly at the stage door (didn't stay long enough to see if Stephen came out and Christine Estabrook ran away when nobody was looking). Also very friendly was another Christine, Christine the doorwoman who is always a joy to talk to.

I don't really know what the problems were, to be honest. I'm still mulling it over. There was just some shred of emotion it was lacking.





Updated On: 11/19/06 at 06:53 PM

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:15pm

Aw, that doesn't sound so good. I'm sure it'll get a little bit better, considering it's still in previews, but still...

I really did think that the setting would change the mood of the play as a whole, but I can't believe that it would be so noticable. It seems like they have a lot of fixing up to do before opening night! Thanks for the great "review", Yankee.

But question: I was really, really hoping to see this show when I go to NYC in the summer, and I was wondering how uncomfortable would it be to see with my sister? I understand that there's a sex scene, of course, but is it just a few scenes or like every-couple-of-minutes-type thing?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:17pm

There's an odd group masturbation scene (you don't see it) and exposed breasts that you can liken to Melissa Errico's exposure in Dracula.

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:23pm

Thank you!

I'm really surprised about Lea Michele. I heard fantastic things about her during the Atlantic run, but now apparently she's "iffy"? Hmm.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:23pm

well, i know i already talked to you about this on IM, but yeah, i might student rush this with my friend in December, but thanks for the review! if i see it, ill give my input
:)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 7:24pm

She's not bad. She's still finding her sea legs.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 8:02pm

The entire cast was wonderful when I saw it at the Atlantic. I was very impressed with the voice of the girl who appears to be the youngest member of the cast. Don't know her name but she was impressive.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 8:04pm

i didn't like it

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 9:07pm

uncageg - I agree. She impressed me very much.

[tmz814]

Posted: 11/18/06 at 10:56pm

I think you are speaking of Remy Zaken (who is the smallest girl in the cast, but not the youngest). She has a fantastic voice and looks like she is having a ball onstage.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 9:06am

Yes, that's it. They all look like they're having a ball. There's definately a lot of energy on that stage.

[JillyDrew]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 6:53am

yeahhhhhhhh remy zakennn!

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 7:22am

thats what i thought. The Helen Hayes would be perfect!

[educator06]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:06am

Spring Awakening is awesome entertainment no matter where it plays. Go see for yourself. I am 50 years old and absolutely LOVED it off and on Broadway!!!! Bottom line for me is (borrowing a line from Gladiator the movie) "Were you not entertained"?