What would make Spring Awakening survive?

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:06pm

Hey I am new to the board.

I saw Spring Awakening 1st night of previews and loved it. Since then I have been doing a lot of reading on this message board and any articles I can find about the show. And everything I read seems to say that people either love it, mixed feelings, or hate it. I have friends who saw the show off-broadway and swore that when it hit Broadway it was going to blow up and be a Huge hit. But after seeing low numbers and not all amazing reviews, I am having my doubts. So I was wondering what people feel that the biggest fault is with the show, and what exactly would make it better? Some people think the nudity and mastubation scene is just too much. If they were cut it would it change the older generations views? Because these things can destroy a persons whole show experience if they are really offended by it. Do they need a stronger cast? I would really hate to see this show go under. I really think with some good tighting up and some fixing everyone could see how amazing the show really is. So what would make it survive.....and be a hit?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:11pm

Strong reviews, strong word of mouth, and/or a very well-received cast album. And also, a helluva lotta publicity wouldn't hurt either.

I want to see this show so badly. Hell, I've got tickets for February. I'm hanging from my fingernails here. I'm as scared as you. I've posted comments. I've made a thread. December 10th seems like an eternity.

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:15pm

Anyone else think this person is attached to the production? Not trying to be cynical but your post is very extensive and specific.

[Luscious]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:17pm

Good reviews and word of mouth. And my NOT liking it.
I'm rarely in synch with the general public. (I still don't get all the fuss over HAIRSPRAY, AVENUE Q, or the revival of CHICAGO)

P.S. I'm seeing it on January 8.

Updated On: 11/28/06 at 06:17 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:18pm

Word of mouth, similar to the way (and pardon the comparison) WICKED became such a hit. The reviews were mixed, but word of mouth made it what it is today. Not to mention that SPRING AWAKENING is actually *good* whereas WICKED's reviews were pretty accurate. The cast is stellar. Let it open first, and we'll take it from there. Removing objectionable content defeats the purpose of the show to begin with. The masturbation and sex scenes were in the original play. In order to create new forms of musical theater, we need to create trends instead of conforming to current ones. Leave the show be. The numbers are currently low because the reviews have not come out yet.

Updated On: 11/28/06 at 06:18 PM

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:21pm

And it all goes back to Wicked I think that it is far too early to predict how well this show will do. I agree that material should not be cut, but I do have a question: Does anyone know how much of the script is actually from the original play?

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:30pm

I saw it last night, and I really enjoyed it-- but I think there is a generation gap that can't really be helped. I'm a college freshman and my entire theatre class went together. We were some of the youngest people there, aside from a few of the kids onstage, and looking around, you could see a lot of people feeling lost. We responded to a lot of things that all of the older people in the audience did not, because it really is a show for teenagers and very young adults. Or at least I felt that way. Maybe some adults would say otherwise. So, if a great word of mouth could help it overcome its limited appeal... maybe it would survive? I was disappointed to see the theatre so empty.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:32pm

Much of the script is the same, not 100% verbatum, though.

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:56pm

If they got rid of the hand mikes then I think it would have a good chance of surviving. I loved the show but it drove me insane when they used hand helds!

[lite2shine]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 7:00pm

The ending is totally defferent (from the original book and the early preview at Atlantic).

I think this is not a show for everybody while, say, Wicked is. I'm not saying that everybody likes Wicked, but you can recommend it to general public. Due to the content and materials they handle in SA, some people (conservative people) may feel uncomfortable or even offended.

Also, it's unfair to compare Wicked and SA, b/c marquee value stars were attached to Wicked as OBC, so fans of these people came and the word of mouth helped.

I'd say it needs tons of publicity, especially on TV. Get on with "The View" and have Rosie hand out lots of free tix. No, scratch that the audience who come to The View may not be the good target, try to get on Letterman and hand out free tix.

Whatever they do, I strongly urge them not to cut or water down the materials. Then you'd lose the soul of the show, and then there is no point of performing.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 8:07pm

I think it needs some good reviews and such.

It seems like it could be a cult show like RENT given some time.

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:34pm

I agree, I think reviews will make a huge difference. But like already said, it sucks to see the theatre so empty. It just goes to show that people don't know about the show. I told my friend who goes to Tisch for Musical theatre about it, and they never heard about it before I mentioned it. I hope Rosie goes to their opening night and plays her video on The View like she did with Les Mis.
Updated On: 11/28/06 at 09:34 PM

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:41pm

It happened to Avenue Q -- it wasn't that full during previews, but then reviews came in and changed everything.

I have really strong hopes for this show.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:42pm

What makes mankind alive?

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:18pm

I love this show so much. I think it's so fresh. I do think there is no need to expose Lea's breast or Jonathan's behind. It doesn't add anything to the scene or show. People know what they are doing. I also think they don't have to reopen the 2nd act with them having sex. It could open with them laying there and beginning "Guilty Ones". The masterbation scene is another thing. Maybe the chair could be turned around? Just some suggestions that a few of my friends and I think would improve the show from a young 20's stand point. I hope this show does well. It deserves a life because it's the most original thing to come to Broadway in a long time.

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:27pm

"It deserves a life because it's the most original thing to come to Broadway in a long time."

100% agree


...and here is to hoping reviews changed everything for SA....in a good way
Updated On: 11/28/06 at 10:27 PM

[roquat]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:13pm

RENT and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (on its own scale) managed to become hits with edgy material. They also managed to get a new generation into theatres and challenged the notion of the theatre as a temple for old folks. SPRING AWAKENING needs to do the same thing--if anything, it probably needs to be more edgy and challenging, not less. That way, even if it flops on Broadway, regional theatres round the country will want to do it and keep it alive.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:15pm

A good review from the Word of Mouth on Broadway.com

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:17pm

^hahahaha

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:23pm

The reviews are not exactly an unknown quantity in this case.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:25pm

I want to see Broadway.com send that 10 year old to review Spring Awakening

[jg4892]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:25pm

I'm considering bringing my family to this show, and they're pretty open, but I'm just wondering, what does the masturbation scene actually consist of? and the sex scene? Just want them to be prepared, lol.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:26pm

Caroline-Q-or-TBoo- You mean Clark the 6 year old who can't talk?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:26pm

yeah, him. I really think he would enjoy the show and give it a rave. Hey, it has boobies

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:44pm

The scene has a boy in a nightgown with his hand underneath doing what you will. You do not see anything. Some kids may not understand what he's doing actually... It is very funny but, does seem to make some people uncomfortable.