Spring Awakening Mics- Page 2

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 6:42pm

But then teka, why use the standing or hand-held mikes at all?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/17/07 at 6:48pm

Exactly. Why do they conceal the mics at all?

And those dance movements during MIRROR-BLUE NIGHT, etc. are laughably bad. Gestös gone wrong.

[teka21]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:09am

According to comments made by Duncan Sheik and Michael Mayer, the songs are the connection to present day teens- thus the mention of modern technology in the lyrics- phones, etc. The actors were asked to imagine themselves singing as rock stars, alone in the privacy of their own bedrooms- (the fantasy of many teens I'm sure) singing their inner thoughts in the music of our time. That's where the mics come in. Lots of people pretend to hold that imaginary mic (hand-held or standing mic) when they pretend to be rock singers! Duncan has said he wanted the show to have a rock concert feel- thus the presence of the band on stage in full view, and the visible mics. So go with it, people- it's not that complicated or far fetched! Use your imagination and stop with the nit-picking.
Updated On: 5/18/07 at 12:09 AM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:20am

But then, if the songs are all inner monologues, then shouldn't they be using them for all the songs? Do only the songs using the visible mikes connect to teens of today?

From the way it's been described, it sounds like this concept, which is interesting, doesn't work and is very inconsistent.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:25am

Well it's a good concept - just poorly executed. Extremely poorly.

I mean, look at A CHORUS LINE - "Music and the Mirror" specifically. The lighting changes between external and internal monologue are simple but effective.

When you say it, it makes sense - MAMA WHO BORE ME until mama comes in, and all that. But there could have been some lighting changes there - extreme lighting changes (I don't remember). Especially certain color lights that tell the audience when we are internal and external. It sounds silly but it is a start to explaining the concept. In essence, Mayer and team has to teach the audience this concept, especially since it isn't one that is often used.

[jg4892]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:30am

They don't have to be handheld mics- there are also lots of other numbers where they use standing mics. I think the concept is good, and it's true that it's inconsistent, but they use it whenever possible, and sometimes it's just not with the choreography.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:36am

Was the production made around the choreography? Or was the choreography created to emphasize the production?

I see now that they don't need hand held mics for the concept. They need lighting and other actions. Severe changes between an actor in a scene and an actor singing. Right now they are attempting something very Brechtian. A lot like Caryl Churchill's VINEGAR TOM - which has moderns songs in a period piece.

The trouble is this takes out the emotion of the piece and they need to establish the characters are singing introspectively while still involved in the action. It isn't easy - which is why it could have made for a brilliant production. Or fail miserably.
Updated On: 5/18/07 at 12:36 AM

[jg4892]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:40am

Well personally I'm glad they kept the concept and in my opinion not using hand held mics in 2 or 3 songs does not make the show fail miserably.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:44am

Didn't say it did.

Good concept that needs more development.

Of course, it is easy to sit here and say that after they did all the work of thinking of such a concept...
Updated On: 5/18/07 at 12:44 AM

[teka21]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:55am

Again, it seems to me that the mic used is based on the staging- whether the actor will be needing both hands, or moving around, sitting, or standing still, or standing on a chair getting dressed. The song where actors are standing still, such as The Dark I know Well, And Then There Were None, and Don't Do Sadness- use a standing mic. Sitting down- girls in My Junk, Word of Your Body, All That's Known, Guilty Ones- hand held. When they are touching themselves needing 2 hands- the usual unseen mics. Get over it! This is not really a reason to dislike a show, most of those who don't like SA for other reasons are harping on this and "piling on." The unsung words are interaction/dialogue, the songs are inner thoughts. You don't need lights to tell you that. And besides, the TONY nominated lighting design is terrific.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:57am

First off, it's a pretty big deal and a poorly executed concept can't be brushed off when it does detract from your "close-to-perfect" show.

Second off, it's one of the many things that is wrong with the direction. This just so happens to be the mic thread.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 12:59am

So teka, we are just supposed to "get over it"? We can't look at the show critically and discuss what flaws it might have?

And no one said this was a reason to dislike the show.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 2:50pm

Well, one person seems to be saying that it is ONE reason to dislike the show.

I personally did not mind the mics one way or the other. (Actually, those damn Madonna-like head-mic things they wear in RENT were much much more annoying.) In SA, they could all randomly hold 3-foot-tall day-glow mikes that give off sparks, for all care...I still love the show!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 3:00pm

gym - if you are talking about me, I said it's one of the things wrong with the direction.

I happen to like the score and the performances. I think the direction is misguided but I don't dislike the show. And keep in mind, I am talking in depth, more or less, about the mic-concept situation. I'm very much exaggerating my complaints here and explaining in detail why I thought it seemed inconsistent.

When the concept works - it is fantastic. Maybe it is because he just understands how to execute the concept better than others or someone worked with him more, but Gallagher seems to consistently understand what he is trying to accomplish (or what Mayer is trying to accomplish) on that stage.

During his scene with Ilse you see a shy, reserved, disturbed boy. Then he sings (or rocks out, rather) DON'T DO SADNESS and you understand that inside that shy shell is a soul exploding.

For me, that's when the "concept" really clicked and I said, "Ah!"

TOTALLY F*CKED was another moment like that, if not a bit muddled. MAMA WHO BORE ME is almost there. DARK I KNOW WELL should have been one of those moments that really pulls you in to the characters' innermost thoughts.
Updated On: 5/18/07 at 03:00 PM

[Justin D]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 3:47pm

another reason i dont plan to waste my hard hearned $$$ on this crap

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 4:30pm

some lighting effects would def exaggerate the "inner thoughts" concept more, and that would be a good idea. i bet you almost everyone who sees this show dont know what the deal is with the mics. probably all of them actually.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 4:30pm

BSoBW2, I stand corrected. And I am glad to hear that you generally liked the show, and I thank you for explaining your criticisms in a thoughtful way.

I actually think the direction is one of the stronger aspects of the show. You and I can agree to disagree about that!

However, now that you point them out, I agree about the slightly muddled transitions in places. The inconsistent mic use per se didn't bother me, but in the larger sense of the examples you discuss above, I see your points, and I agree.

I still LOVE the show though. :) :)

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 5:59pm

Justin D - who called it crap?