SPRING AWAKENING: THOSE YOU'VE KNOWN Doc on HBO - Discussion Thread- Page 2

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 11:17pm

We never got that far with it but the third “Broadway the Golden Age” film was going to feature a lot of what I assume was now used in this. Jon had mentioned all this stuff that exists from the cast and we had talked about how much easier it was going to be to find footage and photos from newer shows since everyone took video and pictures everywhere, and that was even before iPhones. 
 

 

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 5/3/22 at 11:24pm

Rentaholic2 said: "Did I miss when they changed the lyrics to Song of Purple Summer? I always thought "the gray-fly choir will mourn" was such a beautiful and evocative phrase."

The lyrics were rewritten during previews on Broadway. The album had already been recorded by that time, so it features the original lyrics.

[thirtythirtyninety]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 12:32am

Loved it! So beautiful. I would’ve liked to hear more from the other cast members outside of the three leads, but everything was just stellar. I miss this production so much

[jpbran]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 12:40am

Really enjoyed it, but would have been thrilled for it to have been 15-20 min longer with more cast/ensemble stories and interviews. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 6:35am

Loved this. Was at the reunion concert and to see it in pieces with original footage was very special. Clearly the show means a lot to these people and watching how they’ve grown while keeping it and their time together in their hearts is a prime example of why theater is special.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 9:23am

I did enjoy this, I was a HUGE fan of the show.  I will not admit the number of times I saw this.   (Embarrassing, really).  

That being said, it was far too Groff/Lea centered (and a bizarre choice to share about Lea's vagina.).   And while Gallagher and Pritchard got decent screen time, I felt most others were ignored. (Of course, no way of knowing whether that's from editing or perhaps some of the actors didn't participate in interviews.)

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 9:34am

This documentary was so good! I was way too young to see Spring Awakening during its original run, so it was great to see the OG cast reunite and relive the stories of being in that show! Also, it was great having Groff reference Lancaster! I am so happy we have a shining star from Central Pennsylvania! Also, the best story was when the entire cast took a trip to Groff's home and they could just be themselves. This is something I love about casts of shows, they are practically family. Overall, this was a great documentary! 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 9:48am

I really enjoyed this documentary. And watching it made me wish I made it to the city at that age to see it. While younger at the time. My friends and I were obsessed with the album and online backstage stuff

I really wish they released the original cast “proshot” and the full reunion concert.  I could have also done for another hour or so of the documentary.  It really envoked such a nostalgic echo of my adolescence.  … and the beginning of my obsession with Groff and Michele and Gallagher 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 10:13am

There is no “proshot” of the OBC. There’s a significant amount of B-Roll but no proshot.
 

I walked away from this film with a new insight into Lea. I think I understand her and her behavior better after listening to what she and Jon had to say. It by no means excuses her behavior pre or post “Spring Awakening” (or even during) but I do understand the “why” now, at least for a number of things that have bothered me for years about certain situations. She seems to have matured a lot which I respect. Hell, they’ve all matured. Now I feel old. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 10:39am

I think the poster means the proshot of the concert itself. I would like to see that, too. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 10:43am

He mentioned “the original cast “proshot” and the full reunion concert.”

The OBC footage was 3 steady cameras only and again, not the entire show. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 10:57am

Still thinking about this doc. It's definitely well done. With more time to think, I agree with the poster who said it easily could have been 15-20 minutes longer to include more of the cast. I am sure they all have wonderful stories. At least an anecdote from each. Especially since you have folks like Krysta and Jenn in the ensemble. I'd also love to have heard a little from the adult actors in terms of what it was like in working with the teens. I know it was trying at times. 

Also in hindsight, I am not sure how I feel about the vagina story. That seems very intimate and a little out of context, making the doc seem more about Lea and Jon. i think their level of intimacy, closeness and love was clearly conveyed without that. 

I do have a greater appreciation for Lea and I am willing to look at her differently now. I am willing to assume she is able to learn and grow, especially after having a child and the death of Cory and Naya. She has survived a lot. She is clearly very sensitive and maybe insecurity plagued her. Her voice is beautiful. 

 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 11:01am

By “proshot” I meant like the all the archived either B roll or Lincoln Centre archival recording. 
 

and then yes, the full reunion evening. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 11:06am

This was really special. I had forgotten just how much this show meant to me and how formative it truly was. When Jonathan Groff talked about how Melchior taught him how to live his life more authentically I was in tears.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 11:13am

This was special as was the evening of the concert itself. Many, many people hold this show close to their heart and always will. 

[LushyBear]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 8:13pm

I loved this, it brought back many memories. I've only seen the London production with Iwan Rheon, but was obsessed with the OBC recording.

I was disappointed they didn't show BCJ's solo in Touch Me. That's one of my most favorite moments on the recording as I love his voice there.

I share the sentiment, that a lot of people didn't get a lot of exposure in this, I wonder if some wanted to stay out of the limelight.

[herewegoabc]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 8:21pm

I loved the story about them visiting the church the night before Tony nominations. And all the footage from the farm was just so fun. We are so lucky to have this documentary.

[jpbran]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 12:49am

LushyBear said: "I loved this, it brought back many memories. I've only seen the London production with Iwan Rheon, but was obsessed with the OBC recording.

I was disappointed they didn't show BCJ's solo in Touch Me. That's one of my most favorite moments on the recording as I love his voice there.

I share the sentiment, that a lot of people didn't get a lot of exposure in this, I wonder if some wanted to stay out of the limelight."

I could swear one of the ads or promos showed his solo AND his costars cheering him on. (Don’t think I imagined it.)

[robbie_731]

Posted: 5/5/22 at 11:23am

This is what the doc director told Variety when asked if the full OBC reunion concert will ever be released:

“People have whispered it in the wings. It’s been discussed, not seriously, but I think for now we have an incredible film. I sincerely believe it does the original show justice and I think in a way even the fans might watch this film and understand the show that they love so much even better than they ever did. I can say that some of the cast have said that to me like, ‘I couldn’t articulate what it was until I saw this film, and now I can understand what we did and what it meant.’ So I think the answer is… if you’re asking me, yes, I would love to do that. But for now, let’s start with this and see what happens.”

https://variety.com/video/spring-awakening-reunion/

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 7:55am

I finally saw this. The emotional interviews were a bit much. But it occurred to me that this is the experience Hal Prince had hoped the Merrily We Roll Along cast would have. He'd wanted a show about "kids" that would launch careers and build memories. Sondheim doesn't know how to write that so they got Company Junior.