SPRING AWAKENING is going, going, going....almost GONE!- Page 2

[auggie]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:31am

I saw the show in March 2007 and January 2008 and the carry over cast memebers did look out of it but the show still moved me. I think it will peter out some time in the fall when the tour starts to kick in and all the hard core fans can truck to locations closer to home to get their fixes.

[broadway86]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:34am

I saw it at the beginning of winter break, and not have been more disappointed. Other than Blake Bashoff - whose performance was fresh and full of emotion - no one else's performance did a thing for me. Flat line readings, uninspired song delivery, lifeless dancing... On top of that, I felt the show itself was seriously lacking. Overall, not a great experience.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:43am

From what I've seen, the new cast isn't that bad, except for Glenn Fleshler. Hated hated hated his performance. I've never seen Kate Burton's performance, but isn't Estabrook coming back soon? As for Emma, the only reason most people don't like her is because of her stupid haircut. Her performance was different, but not bad. Slap a wig on the girl and let's get over it.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:47am

Well..now that it's SPRING again, I'm sure attendance will pick up!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:22am

Nielsen leaves at the beginning of April. I know Estabrook is returning, but the Hollywood writer's strike has delayed filming on Desperate Housewives, so she may be out in L.A. longer than anticipated.

The only onstage performers I've noticed looking "bored" are Lilli Cooper and Remy Zaiken. I once sat next to Cooper onstage, and her boredom was palpable.

[steven22]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:32am

Lauren_T...wtf?..are you talking about?..I saw the show March 16th and thought it was amazing..along with everyone else..the theater was packed and the actors got standing ovations..wtf are you on?..go die in a hole

[East Village]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:37am

The show was in especially great form this past weekend. I don't know why this thread got started?

[steven22]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:41am

yea..the replacements have all been top notch except for Glenn. Blake Bashoff is much better than John Gallger Jr...This is not meant to start a debate but..the cast rocks, the show rocks, everything in that theater does..

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:42am

Isn't Estabrook's Desperate Housewives character dead, though?

[Tom148502]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:51am

I saw the show on Mother's Day in 2007. No comment. Thank God that night I went off-Broadway to see IN THE HEIGHTS, which was really worthwhile.

[kittykate6227]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:57am

i saw the show in jan 2008 with gerard as georg, phoebe as isle and socha as anna. All the newer cast members were full of energy and emotion. The only cast members who seemed bored and tired of it all were Phoebe Strole and Lea Michelle. I sat on stage and when she came ans sat next to me she seemed bored beyond beleif. Groff performace however was inspiring and so emotional especially during the scene where he discovers that wendla has died. his tears where so real and heartbreaking.

[steven22]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:07am

out of the 3 times I've seen SA..Phoebe has looked bored out of her mind 2/3 times...Probably b/c she hasn't gone on as Wendla in Months

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:11am

That's a shame.

[SarahNYC]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:19am

I don't think the show is going anywhere, but it's definitely not at the top of its game. I think it has to do with the new cast members (particularly the adults, who are suffering from over-acting 101) and the distracted/unenthused remaining OBC ensemble.

I've seen the show many many times and although I love it, it has lost a certain spark with each OBC member's departure as I believe all shows do. I don't think the general public notices it as much as people who've seen the show multiple times.

The one thing that might be noticeable to John Q. Public, and could be a downturn for the show in general, is a lack of energy from the remaining supporting OBC cast members. While Lea Michele and Jon Groff retain their energy and spark, a lot of the other ensemble members look bored out of their minds when sitting on stage and that boredom is definitely bleeding into their performances. Case in point, when either one of the Blake replacements are on they have huge energy bursts which are not even remotely matched by the other boys. I think this is just symptomatic of being a young actor in the same role for over a year. Maybe in June when more of the OBC leaves the energy will benefit from the departures, but right now there's just a certain spark missing.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:21am

My sister-in-law saw the show Saturday night and really liked it. I guess if you have nothing to compare it to, you wouldn't notice what audiences from repeated visits notice.

[Junie]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:28am

I saw it last month when I was in NY and thought it was energetic and exciting. I have nothing to compare it to, since it was my first time seeing it, but it sure got me hooked.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:51am

"out of the 3 times I've seen SA..Phoebe has looked bored out of her mind 2/3 times...Probably b/c she hasn't gone on as Wendla in Months"

I don't think they EVER put her on as Wendla anymore. It's usually Socha, and occasionally Murman.

Of the remaining OBC, Groff is easily still the most committed. His performance remains breathtaking.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:53am

They're worse than the original cast?? How is that possible?

[steven22]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 12:41pm

does look very into the show and very into Lea when she is doing mama..he must really love the show..and her...who couldn't?..lol..

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:00pm

I was there Saturday night and it was the first time I was dissappointed...not horridly, but it was my least favorite.

Bashoff is indeed the best thing on the stage and his consistencly is great.

JBW was in rare form on and off stage.

But...it is definitley time for some of them to move on: Skylar, Brian, Remy....and I think most of them will be leaving over the summer.

BTW: the theater was packed.


As far as Emma: it was the producers that HAD her cut her hair. I don't get it, but she is quite good althought I prefer Laurens voice...but Emma's acting beats her by a mile. It was the best Moritz/Ilse sceene I'd ever experienced...and the first time I'd seen ANYONE but Lauren play the role.

Also: full ensemble that night...and all four of them were TREMENDOUS and pulling new moves.

Groff and Lea were....well....predictable and not on top of their game.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:08pm

I love Blake in the role of Moritz. He is amazing-and I thought John Gallagher was terrific. I really wish Blake could stay past his May date. He really gives the show so much energy.

Jonathan Groff seems to maintain his energy level nicely. I actually think Lily Cooper is still very strong-and the Dark I Know Well with her and Emma is excellent.

I think Lea Michele's energy level is the lowest of anyone's on the stage. I saw it with Alexandra Socha and she was amazing. I can't wait for her to take over permanently. She's fresh and energetic in the role of Wendla.

I only hope they can find someone as good as Jonathan for Melchior. He is really amazing in that role.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:09pm

Socha is taking over for Michelle? Is that official?

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:11pm

I don't remember which thread-I'll search in a minute-someone said Kate Burton told them she was. (And I'd think she's a reliable source.)

[jake6970]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:11pm

It's not official, but it's pretty much common knowledge.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:14pm

I'm seeing the show again in a few weeks (first time since the Tonys), and some of these comments make me a little nervous.