My review of Spring Awakening matinee 4/26/08

Okay this was my second time seeing the show. And it was even better than the firs time, if possible.
The cast was:
Melchior- Jonathan Groff- really in his element tonight. incredible job. my god he can make me cry!

Moritz- Blake Bashoff- INCREDIBLE performance tonight. hilarious when necessary, SCARYINTENSE and serious when necessary.

Wendla- Lea Michele- her voice sounded even better than usual today.

Ilse- Emma Hunton- I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY HER. SHE IS FAR BETTER THAN LAUREN PRITCHARD. STRONGER VOICE, STRONGER ACTING.
*the producers told her to cut her hair like that, stop whining please*

Martha- Jenna Ushkowitz- really impressive. all the understudies impressed me tonight.

Thea- Eryn Murman

Anna- Phoebe Strole

Georg- Skylar Astin

Otto- Brian Charles Johnson- I hate to say it, but he sounded horrible tonight. He usually has a beautiful voice, but he sounded really sick I guess.

Hanschen-MATT DOYLE!- OH MY GOD I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOY. Perfectly captured the asshole which is Hanschen. Perfect replacement. Hottest kiss I've ever seen.

Blake Daniel-Ernst-So awkward. In a good way, hes so great.

Adult Man- Glenn Fleshler- I don't like him. Hes not funny or good at being serious. He needs to...leave.

Adult Woman- Christine Estabrook- SHE IS SO HILARIOUS!!!!!! Great comedic timing.

Ensemble- Jesse Swenson and Gerard Canonico.





This show never fails to make me cry, but these guys were so on tonight. I was crying hysterically from the first note of Mama Who Bore Me to the last bow. Everyone was so into it tonight and I got sucked in right away. There were no mistakes, not even any missed notes. It was a perfect Spring Awakening experience. =)

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Are we STILL reviewing this show?

Honestly.

Your wit astounds me.

Ooops...am I using words that are too big?

How bout this:

LyKe OmGgGgGgGgG! sPrInG aWaKeNiNg iS dA bEsT mUsIkaL eVaRrRr! Im BfF wIt ThE cAsT! tHeY eVeN aUtOgRaFeD mY rEsTrAiNiNg OrDeR!!!!

Thank you so much, snl, really =)

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Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it when you see it!!! Are you going before or after JonGroff leaves?

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Aw, thank you so much, really =) I'm glad i'm getting so many NICE people on my thread =)

Yeah, I do love Matt Doyle oodles. Not just because of SA, though. I was really moved by his performance on the Bare recording, thats what got me into him. I really want to see Jesse Swenson in a role, though! He was in a seat in the ensemble yesterday, but thats all I've seen him in. I can't wait to see him on Gossip Girl though!!

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I'd love to see him in it. Its funny, Matt Doyle seemed a lot like how Jonathan B Wright did it. He was really dark/funny if you know what I mean. Like so intimidating to Ernst it was hilarious. He was really really focused on Ernst and didn't smile. (except when they both started laughing by accident. That was pretty great). Haha, its kind of hard to put into words, I hope you get what I mean!

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I see. thanks.

"perfect" though? Unless you're talking about Audra McDonald or Patti Lupone, I can't believe it until I see Doyle actually do the role.

Haha good point. Although I'd rather see Matt Doyle as Hanschen than Patti LuPone :-P

Still though, I sure hope you write a review when you finally see Matt Doyle!!

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JBW went on auto-pilot recently, though. Matt brings a new "life" to the character

I've seen JBW three times now (off-bway, bway opening, last month) and he's changed a lot. It's not good.

I understand how hard it is to keep it fresh and new after such a long time but that's a responsibility every Broadway actor must assume.


A close friend has been in the HAIRSPRAY run for over 5 years now and she sparkles at every performance. Why? She discovers something new every night and finds little things to play around with... 5 years later! Absolutely fantastic!

I actually don't think JBW was on autopilot at all. Of the many times I saw him, he was different every single time. If you want to talk about autopilot, talk about Jonathan Groff.

If you want to talk about autopilot, talk about Jonathan Groff.

awww, well.. I guess I can kinda see how parts of his performance might be becoming a little auto pilot-y, but I think the thing that makes it not matter is that he's still so freaking EMOTIONAL, especially in act 2. Like... Left Behind imparticular was actually even much sadder last time a saw it recently than it was back when I saw it in December '06. It was so raw and innocent and heartbreaking. And Those You've Known was even a bit more powerful too.

So yeah, Groff can still turn on the emotion like WOAH, but I don't necessarily disagree that certain parts of his performance are pretty on auto pilot at this point. But I just don't really care because I don't feel like it makes his performance over all any less powerful :)



I DO agree with you though, Andrew, that JBW was fantastic comedically! :) He was just like.. really really perfect for that role. As much as I think Matt is absoltutely adorable and super talented, I think it would be slightly strange seeing him in the role just because.. he seems so soft and sweet, and JBW played it so domineering and hard edged. haha

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Updated On: 4/27/08 at 03:50 PM

I think his hammy overacting of some things (especially the graveyard scene) ruins the moment of scenes. I used to really enjoy his performance, but have recently thought to be nothing but overacted and phoned in.

I'm still a huge fan of his, but his performance is not good at this point. It's time for him to go. He needs vocal rest too.

Updated On: 4/27/08 at 03:53 PM