SA: Go See Riabko or wait for Parrish?

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:08pm

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?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:09pm

Considering Riabko finished yesterday, I think the decision has been made for you.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:12pm

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?

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:13pm

It's a moot point now, but I thought Riabko was trying so incredibly hard to be Groff. His performance really left no impression on me. The real one to watch was Alexandra Socha. She played Wendla more like a little girl, which is how she should be played, IMO. I understand that I'm in the minority for liking her, but that's just my opinion.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:18pm

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."

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:18pm

Gerard Canonico is playing Melchoir in the interim.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:23pm

Gerard Canonico is playing Melchoir in the interim

Joking, right? You have to be.

[sgv123]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:25pm

matt and jesse are splitting the role.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:27pm

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

[sgv123]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:28pm

yes, matt doyle, sorry about that.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:31pm

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.

[sgv123]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:35pm

yes, matt s. is still there.

doyle has said that he will still understudy melchoir. this is what he has said about the next week-

"I will be splitting the time before Hunter Parrish starts as Melchior with my fellow cast member Jesse Swenson.

I will either be playing Melchior Thursday August 7th -Saturday August 9th or for the entire following week if Hunter were to begin later."

[jake6970]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:44pm

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

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:45pm

that explains it then

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:55pm

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.

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

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 4:59pm

I've never had a problem hearing her. I've seen her twice now. Once understudying when she first started and once after she took over. I never cried when I saw Lea, but I bawled during Alexandra's "Whispering."

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 5:00pm

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.

[...5678]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 5:12pm

Doyle updated his blog:

"UPDATE: It has now been confirmed that Jesse and I will split one week and I will be playing Melchior Thursday August 7th -Saturday August 9th."

[Raspberry]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 8:03pm

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.