Spring Awakening Not-Love — Page 3

I haven't had a chance to disect the score to Spring Awakening (I've seen the show, I'm getting the CD in a few weeks), so I haven't had a chance to check my theory, but are the lyrics bad, or just more in a rock style of lyricism? (Which is completely different from musical theatre lyricism.)

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I'm actually suprised I'm not more into this show. It immediatley felt like something I would love, but I haven't listened to the cast recording that much. I feel like the music is beautiful, but like much of Sheik's music, it is very one note. Most of the songs sound the same, or never really reach a climax. I know this isn't the kind of show to have big show stoppers, but I don't feel like the music builds to anything at times. I think "Mamma Who Bore Me" is an akward way to start the show, and maybe it works brillantly in the theater, but on the recording it's kind of boring.

I don't like the lyrics all that much either. I think he's trying too hard to be "different" and "off beat" to the point of just making nonsense, or cheesiness. Certain lyrics work great. I really like "...come cream away the bliss..." or at least that's what he sings.

And the show is far from a hit. A hit to me would it sells-out or at least is mostly full, but this show is struggling most of the time. Granted, it's a hard sell to tourists, but I don't think it really "defines" a generation. Not to compare it Rent because they're totally seperate except for "rock music," but I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters and whatnot.

But hey, everyone has their opinions, and I wish the cast well. I'm sure it will clean up come Tonys which might help turn it into a "hit." I think Broadway needed this show and needed its artistic vision.

Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Thought it was highly overrated.

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Is it me or is the lyricist always up sh*t's creek...without a paddle.

It's always, "great score, bad lyrics."

Just saying, it's a hard thing to pull off, lyrics.

ETA: Damn you BWW and your automatic censors!

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 12:32 AM

It's great that BWW users can post negative thoughts of shows also, I find a lot of the shows that most people rave about, simply horrible. Why is it such a big deal to say a negative thing about a show or a performer we dislike?

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speaking of lovely i saw journey's end tonight and wow. such lovely performances. such committed, beautiful work. just thought i would share.

It means not being able to understand why he was crying.

Isn't it sung to Moritz's father at Moritz's grave?

I've been hearing good things about that play - and the rehearsal video looked fantastic.

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 12:45 AM

What!? ALW has horrible lyricists?

A LOTTA LOCOMOTION
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED
FROM A LOCOMOTIVE WHO CAN TAKE THE LEAD
FROM THE EASTERN OCEAN
TO THE WESTERN SEA
LOCOMOTION'S GONNA CARRY ME

That's gold!

It's so sad I know the lyrics...

i respect the fact that you don't like the show.
everyone is entitled to their opinion.
i am biased but i do love the show.
keep talking people!
any publicity is good publicity!

Thanks for the thread! It's about time!

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What annoys me about the Spring Awakening criticism is that much of it isn't very smart or on the mark. We can sit here and complain about Stephen Sater's lyrics for the rest of the day but if I hear one more person complain about the conceit of the show (set in the 1800s with rock music) or the "Blah blah blahs" (which people only dislike because they don't seem to understand what they mean) I'm going to eat somebody.

The authors made a lot of specific choices. Some of them work, some of them don't. Yankee, next time you wanna make a Spring Awakening Not-Love thread, have something that's actually insightful and new to say about it so we're not sitting here rehashing the same old stuff. You apparently think about the show alot--maybe you liked it more than you thought.

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I'm just saying that people keep saying the same things over and over. How many times do we need to discuss it before the pros and cons are assimilated by everyone?

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