Spring Awakening -- The next Rent or the next Lestat

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:54pm

Who thinks Spring Awakening will be a hit and who thinks it will be a flop.

I'm praying that it's a hit.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:59pm

i'm hoping it will do well, but i certainly dont think it will be the next RENT
from what i've heard and seen about it, it seems it will be a little too "racy" for your average teenager, which make up most of the RENT fanatics
just my thought, though...

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:00pm

Well, maybe not the next Rent, but what are the chances that it will flop?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:01pm

Well the running costs can't be that much so that's in the show's favor.

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:04pm

I think it'll be huge but not quite RENT, and I don't want it to become the new RENT either.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:05pm

It's transferring in from Off-Broadway, which indicates that it found an audience. It's based on an amazing play and classically taboo play and the music is very enjoyable. I don't foresee it being a flop.

I don't think the fact that it's racy will discourage the Rent age teens from crossing over at all. I rarely see parents with these kids so it's unlikely that it will stop them from going should they want to go and the music is "hip enough" that it should be pleasing to teens. At least the tragically cool, smart kids.

That said...we should probably wait until it opens before making a declaration one way or another.


Updated On: 11/9/06 at 07:05 PM

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:42pm

I'd be a little hesitant to call it the "next Rent," but I think that Spring Awakening will do very well. It appeals to a new generation of fans, especially to the 16-25 yr olds (I would assume.) Also, having Duncan Sheik's name behind it will probably help.

Back to the next Rent, lots of people thought Bare was the next Rent, and well, that didn't work out very well. Hopefully Spring Awakening fairs better.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:47pm

I hope it does well, but I hope people don't latch onto it like they do other shows. For it's own sake, I hope it's not it's own RENT. I think teeny-boppers have just destroyed that show. And now that the Wedding Singer is closing, I'm sure those fans will just latch onto the next "hip" show. And say it's the best show over, or whatever.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:57pm

I don't like what I've seen. But I hope it has a healthy run.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 8:02pm

It ain't for everyone. I think the fact that Broadway on Broadway denied it from singing, means the show might only have a small fanbase. It's a little edgy and not something parents can see with their kids.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 8:03pm

Don't underestimate how motivated angsty teenagers can get if they are told that they shouldn't see something.

[wexy]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:17pm

Good point. Just got my TDF tickets to check it out on the 21st.

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:26pm

If Spring Awakening becomes the next Rent, does that mean Rent goes away? If so, I hope Spring Awakening does great business.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:37pm

i think t will do well...but what is the deal with all the flop threads...i think we should wait till it opne to judge.

[bigbigbill]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:58pm

I am praying that it won't be the next Rent. Really I am.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 11:02pm

From what I hear, it sounds like a better version of "bare"

[McFrenzied]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 11:13pm

I think it's better than RENT, IMHO. The book is smarter and more thought provoking than your average Broadway musical. It's like seeing a sophisticated play with great music, which will appeal both to the blue hair auds and the hipsters, which is key. That said, this show doesn't have the brand name recognition that,say, Mary Poppins has or the built in cult audience that knew about the Grey Gardens documentary, so it will be highly reliant on word of mouth. It's up to us to spread the word and let people know how truly terrific this show is. I havn't been this excited for a Broadway show in quite a while and I'm knocking on everything wooden that it becomes a fat, gorgeous hit!

[April Saul]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 11:50pm

Hi--I was trying to decide whether to do TDF or get stage seats again, which I did twice at the Atlantic and noticed your post. If you don't mind, what kind of seats did you wind up getting through TDF for Awakening?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 12:17am

I want to be in this show SOOOOO badly.

Akiva

[Renthead#1]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 12:22am

Really the show looks really cool but wHATS IT ABOUT.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 12:23am

Akiva - did you see the play when Equity Showcase did it a few year ago?

The play is powerful enough. I can only imagine how much music can add to the piece.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 12:29am

I did not. I have never even seen or read the play, but I do know what it is about and I have listened to an in depth interview with Michael Mayer about it.

For me what really speaks to me is the music. For the first time in a long long time am I hearing a score that sounds exactly like the kind of music I listen to. In fact, I have played the songs for friends of mine who hate musicals without telling them that it was form a show and they loved it. I would love the oppertunity to not only tell such a great story and impart important themes, but to wrap my vocal chords around those songs.

Akiva

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 12:35am

I'm really excited for this. I hope it does really well.

Being in this would be awesome too. And I'm just the right age...

[jaybrrd]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 2:23am

I don't think either comparison in the subject line is really fair. In terms of buisness, I think Spring Awakening will be more the next Avenue Q, which, as you'll recall, did not do a bang up business upon opening... however, its running costs were low enough to allow it to continue running. The Tonys came around, and BANG. Full capacity hit.

Same thing with this. Just you wait.

And, incidentally, the show is fantastic.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 2:59am

If by becoming the next "Rent" you mean that Spring Awakening plays way way past its prime, shamelessly filling roles with any D-list celebrity it can get its hands on, and later making a poor transfer to film a decade late, then hell, I wish it becomes the next Lestat.

In all honesty though, I don't see why it has to be either a massive hit or a massive flop. I have a feeling it will do well enough and run about 7-12 months. Pretty standard broadway run.