The Homestretch for SPRING AWAKENING- Page 3

[BitchofaLiving]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 12:44am

munk--i cannot put my finger on a specific reason. it could be that i relate so closely to SO MANY of the characters. it could be that Melchoir did NOT take the easy way out. i interpreted his decision to go forward as his realization that in order to build the world he so looked forward to, he needed to live. i just thought there was beauty in his strength. i was drawn into the lives of the characters and wanted to make sure i was there to see how each life played out. i am seeing it two more times this month, i cannot get enough of how it makes me feel.

(disclaimer) this is MY opinion. it has no professional or well-versed basis. do NOT discount MY opinion bc it is MINE and i OWN it.

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 12:47am

You shouldn't sit on stage your 1st time seeing SA. You miss it's impact and the whole visual.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 1:15am

I saw it, and didn't like it at all.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 6:43am

That's interesting, Lauren T
I'm going to the show in a couple weeks, and some people have been saying "SIT ON STAGE! IT'S INCREDIBLE!" Then others say I should just sit in the orchestra.
I really don't know what to choose!

[Sargar]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 7:22am

well I sat on the stage the first and only time I saw it, and while it was interesting to see it from that perspective, I could definitely see how you could lose the entire visual. Also, my friends and I noticed that there were several songs that you couldn't quite make out the words too. We weren't sure if it was because the sound was distorted from where we were sitting or not. The main reason we got the on stage tickets is because they're so much cheaper! I would probably recommend sitting in the orchestra the first time, then going for the stage, because the stage really is a cool experience, maybe just not for the first time.

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 8:21am

There is definitely something about this show. One either hates it. Or, loves it. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground, that's for sure, at least not as a I read comments in this thread and in several others that have started to pop up with reviews. Very cool! Honestly, it's a nice change from all the speculation on WICKED cast changes, Raul's sexual orientation, and Charlotte's performance of Cassie.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 9:33am

Considering that Melchior rapes Wendla, is she really his "first love"?

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 11:13am

That's an awfully cynical view of what happens. I'm not naive and don't deny that he's aggressive, but I think the conflicted feelings they both have for one another (recall, Wendla begs Melchior to beat her a few scenes earlier) ultimately reconcile themselves in a mutual moment of passion and release. It's the first time the two are completely honest with one another. Sure, its a sexual dialogue but I don't think the reconcilation can be denied. If it were as hideous as a "rape," then I don't think Melchior would ever emerge as heroic, in the literary and not the romantic sense of the word, at the end.

Updated On: 12/7/06 at 11:13 AM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 1:03pm

Decca has a website for the cast album:

http://www.classics.umusic.com/springawakening/

My copy arrived yesterday but I haven't had a chance to give it an attentive listen as yet.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 1:18pm

One problem I had was that Melchoir's character change is totally unbeleivable. I liked so much about the show and it's music and energy but the book and lyrics are the weakest links, in my opinion.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:48pm

Yankeefan, they've changed it to show that it's definitely not a rape. She consents in the beginning of the second act.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:51pm

soo not rape. she is unsure at first, then she grabs his hand and places it on her breat and says a VERY clear "YES, NOW!"

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:55pm

Ah, my bad.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:57pm

The CD IS incredible...I've been listening to it since a copy arrived yesterday. I've had this music in my head since I saw it at the Atlantic Theatre and the recording does it justice.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:58pm

yank, many small details, that make BIG differences have been added into the show.... even as recently as this monday..

[educator06]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 3:00pm

I see it again Saturday... I can't wait!

[rickydrummer]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 8:35pm

How are people getting their hands on the CDs? Are you guys members of the press? Are they selling them at the theatre? Please let me know!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 9:42pm

I was planning to give it a return trip, anyway, so I'll guess I'll get to see them.

[mijofly19]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 11:38pm

Third time seeing it tonight. Last two times the mezzanine was completely empty, tonight the house was sold out. The show was amazing as usual and the Cast Recording is now on sale at the theatre for $20.

[rickydrummer]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 11:44pm

Thanks for the heads up about the CD! Is "There Once Was a Pirate" definitely on it?

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 11:56pm

rickydrummer, i'm looking at the cd, and i don't see that.

i was so excited to overhear the merchandise woman at the theatre whisper to the usher in front of me "the cds are in, they just came tonight" right before the lights when down for act one. you know i booked it for the souvenir table as soon as the intermission lights came up!

the house was definitely papered tonight, i saw a lot of familiar faces tonight who usually get papered along with me.

awkward moment...the striking scene was met with a lot of giggles from the young crowd around me. it was a bit disconcerting from the first time i saw the show, when the scene was met with rapt attention. it'll be interesting to see how future audiences react to this scene.

Updated On: 12/7/06 at 11:56 PM

[rickydrummer]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 1:33am

Great. I'm going to try to pick up a copy around curtain time some time over the weekend.

I think during the beating scene it's not really inappropriate to have totally rapt attention or a light bit of laughter either way. It's all going to depend on the audience. And, in a way, at least until Melchior goes off the deep end at the end of the scene, it is sort of awkwardly amusing.

I can't WAIT to go again. I'm experiencing Spring Awakening fever or something.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 9:36am

Members of the press got the CD from the label earlier this week.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 11:22am

Re: sitting on the stage

The more I talk to people about it, I think where you sit on the stage plays a big part in your experience. More of the people who didn't enjoy it tended to sit closer to the back, to the orchestra. They had a harder time hearing, and saw more backs. I sat as close as possible to the audience in the front row, and didn't have as much trouble hearing lyrics, and didn't feel like I lost much perspective at all.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 11:43am

I sat in the orchestra, but I would tell people not to sit onstage. It looked so uncomfortable and distracting.

I was 5th row center Orchestra, and they were perfect seats.