Spring Awakening Evening 12/27/06 - Tears, ovations, and Billy Joel!

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 9:07pm

Last night I was lucky enough to catch Spring Awakening, and not only catch, but catch from the center of the first row, which never ever happens to me so I believe I can brag a little bit.

I'd been dying to see this show from word of mouth of my friends, and from the fabulous cast recording, but let me say it completely exceeded all expectations.

Side note: Before the show a woman behind me started asking if Billy Joel was here, and I turned around and sure enough, two rows back he sat, with Paul Reisner and a few other women, one of which I persumed to be his daughter? That got the audience a little keyed up.

But the show... I've never seen a show, or performace of a show, with that much energy and intensity and color. The applause for "Bitch of Living" was nearly unstoppable, I swear, it felt like it went on for 5 minutes. No one wanted to stop clapping. The same went for "Totally f*****", the orchestra finally had to cut in and keep the show going. The audience, the actors, the musicians, everything felt so alligned, it was really a special experience for me. I've seen many Broadway shows, but never been lucky enough to witness something like that until last night. The curtain call was madness, the audience was so hyped up, the actors came out for bows three times. So great.

I'm not going to review the show, because many others have done that, and I could gush about it forever and still have more good things to say. I personally think it's one of the most important things to happen to Broadway in a very long time, not to mention one of the best. But then again, I'm just a college kid who found something that really touched her.

I make it a rule to never do the stage door, but I made an exception last night. The cast was very, very sweet and signed and took pictures with whoever wanted them. At one point Billy Joel and Paul Reisner popped out of the stage door, which was funny in a random way, since no one was expecting to see them. No one bothered them, thankfully, they looked like they were in a rush. Duncan Sheik and Steven Satar wandered out as well, and after a few minutes of debating I timidly asked them to sign my Playbill and mumbled some incoherent compliments, I was so in awe.

I feel like the buzz is really picking up on this show, and I truly felt it last night. I forsee very good things in the future for Spring Awakening. :) Lets hope the general public will catch on.

Updated On: 12/28/06 at 09:07 PM

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 9:28pm

I'm seeing this tomorrow and you made me even more excited!

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 9:43pm

I hope this show does a tour and comes to Chicago!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 9:45pm

WOOHOO! This show is totally picking up. It's up 20% at the box office and the word is continuing to spread. Thanks for your very enthusiastic review of your experience at SPRING AWAKENING!

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 10:41pm

Geez, the wait is driving me crazy. I don't think I can hold out until June!

It's too bad that I couldn't be at that particular performance. You make it seem SPECTACULAR. So jealous....

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 10:43pm

Did the young woman with Joel look eerily like Eden Riegel? If so, it was his daughter. Otherwise, it was likely his wife - I think there is a two year difference between the wife and daughter.

[suzycat]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 10:44pm

Do you mean Paul Reiser? Cause I love him.

I really want to see this show!!

[MotorTink]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 11:06pm

That really stinks. I am a huge Billy Joel fan, and would have loved to been in the same theatre with him, but I went to the matinee not the evening performance. Just my luck! Glad you enjoyed the show!

[overthemoon419]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 11:22pm

Actually, Billy Joel's wife (the host of Top Chef Season 1) looks more like Eden Riegel than Alexa Ray Joel, his daughter. Alexa looks like Billy Joel in a wig - she definitely does not resemble her mother.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 11:27pm

Thanks for your review. I'm happy so many people are embracing this show. Just curious, how did you get a front row seat? I can only imagine how moving and powerful the performance must be sitting that close.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 12/28/06 at 11:46pm

Great review! Hoping to see this in a couple of weeks.

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 12:19am

Enjoy it, I'm excited for all of you to see it. I'd like to see it again, perhaps over spring break if I can convince my friends.

I lucked out with the tickets, actually. Over Thanksgiving break I decided to not take a chance at TKTS and buy tickets off telecharge, and to my shock they had the first row available. And to be honest I kind of thought there was some catch, so when we actually got to our first row seats I was relieved.

And yep, I meant Paul Reiser. Funny guy, although I would have been more excited to spot Helen Hunt, but you take what you can get I guess.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 12:34am

I was there last night as well, and I completely agree with everything you've said, NightLaughs. It was a truely incredible experience in the theatre. The cast's energy was great and the audience wanted to be there. I really can't describe it...all I can say is my mom freaked out when she saw Billy Joel there!

[iliketheater]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:12am

I was also there that night! I agree, the energy that night was UNSTOPABLE. It was really an amazing experience.

There were a few things I didn't like in the show, but in general it is fantastic. I'd hate to repeat what's already been said so I'm going to stop here.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 10:07am

I was there as well. Amazing, amazing show. I'm in the middle of writing a big review on it.

[gman07]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 11:40am

I heard that Steven Spielsberg was at the show 12-28-06 and went back stage afterwards to meet the cast. Can anyone confirm this?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 11:42am

overthemoon, I saw Alexa being interviewed on TV recently and I thought the resemblance to Riegel was uncanny.

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 4:10pm

alliez92092 - I recognize you from your picture at the stage door, actually. haha I was standing a few feet away. I look forward to reading your review.

I'm glad everyone who was there agrees the show was extraordinary, Def. a treat. And from the first row, unbelievable on so many levels. I'm still excited about it. :)