Theatremania is Positive:
"Whether Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's decidedly 21st-century musical version, also titled Spring Awakening, will still be produced 100 years hence remains to be seen. But there's no doubt this innovative, frequently brilliant piece of theater will speak to many young theatergoers -- and thrill anyone who is willing to meet this work on its own terms.
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Sheik's absolutely haunting and often breathtaking score still outshine Sater's poetic lyrics, and many of these songs clearly stand up to repeated listening. What's most remarkable about Sheik is his adeptness at so many musical styles, from the girl-group harmonies of "Mama Who Bore Me" to the Elvis Costello-like rock of Mortiz's "Don't Do Sadness" to the art-rock balladry of "Whispering." (One song, "The Guilty Ones" has been added to the beginning of the second act.)
One aspect of Spring Awakening that has undeniably deepened is the cast's performances. The brooding, handsome Groff seizes his moments with gusto; Gallagher is nothing short of galvanic; and the gorgeous-voiced Michele is absolutely heartbreaking. Of the supporting players, Wright is not just fearless, but so supremely confident that he quickly becomes an audience favorite, and Cooper (daughter of Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper) scores big in her solo "The Dark I Know Well."
Meanwhile, two new additions to the cast, Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella and Christine Estabrook play all the various adult roles -- including a pair of nasty schoolteachers and the kids' clueless parents. Fortuntanely, they --especially Estabrook -- bring some much-needed personality to these essentially one-dimensional roles.
Spring Awakening is the kind of risky show that might not make it through the winter. But if there's any justice -- or at least enough smart and adventurous theatergoers -- this one-of-a-kind musical will be with us for many springs and summers to come."
http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/9639
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