SA: Go See Riabko or wait for Parrish?

Haven't seen Spring Awakening since Groff and Michelle left, and I'm going to be in NYC next week briefly and was contemplating revisiting the show, but I'm also going to be in NYC at the end of the month.

So I'm curious, SA fans, should I see it with Kyle Riabko before he leaves or just wait for Hunter Parrish to debut?

I've heard very mixed things about Riabko's performance...the biggest peeve being that he performs Melchior too mean...but I've also heard he's much better suited for the role than Groff was.

So what do you think? Should I stay or should I go? How did you like Riabko?

Whoopsies.

The Web site said he was finishing up the 12th...of course it wasn't the official Web site so it must have been a misspelling.

Sorry...maybe I'll see him on tour. Who's playing Melchior until Parrish starts on the 18th?

You're not alone in liking Alexandra, GlindatheGood. I prefer her Wendla to Lea's. Wendla is, after all, only 14. She has a very innocent voice and a very innocent way of acting. I think it's perfect for the role.

On topic: I've heard very few good things about Kyle. I have heard some good things, but the majority isn't. I'm eagerly awaiting Hunter's arrival. I love him on "Weeds."

Gerard Canonico is playing Melchoir in the interim

Joking, right? You have to be.

Matty S. or D.? I'm assuming S.

Wow, really? That's strange since Matt D. actually has a role now. Did Matt S. already leave? I'm kind of out of the loop on S.A. as of late thanks to college stuff.

Matt S actually left last night. He will be Georg on tour.

Gah- just saw the show! I'm mad I missed Matt Doyle. I really enjoy him in the show, and I would love to see his Melchior.

Riabko was a strong Mechior, and definitely not Groff like, in my opinion.

Alexandra in my opinion is not a strong Wendla. I say this with the fact that just because she looks like a little girl doesn't means she does a good job playing the role that way. She is much too quiet and internal to engage the audience. I had difficulty hearing her, and I sat in the second row.

I attended the show with a friend who had never seen it, and she had the same complaint. I'm sure it was difficult to follow the story if you could not HEAR Wendla. I've seen the show several times, and I still missed several lines and favorite moments.

Here's the thing with Groff and Michele age difference. Yes, they are supposed to be playing young teens, but society is far more used to seeing young adults play these roles. Look at any TV show, and you'll see 20 somethings walking down the halls of a high school. The fact that the producers are supposed to be casting closer to age is admirable, but, in my opinion, it creates some problems when the show was originally directed with young adults in the roles.

Regardless of my opinion on the ages, the sound issue with Alexandra is a major problem.

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Updated On: 8/3/08 at 04:55 PM

I got my wires crossed. Canonico is playing Moritz.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120017.html

That's the article on Riabko's departure.

Hunter Parrish walked past me on the street a few hours ago, and I swooned so much that it almost made me want to see Spring Awakening. If I was going to this show again, I would definitely wait for him, so I say do that.

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