What would make Spring Awakening survive?- Page 2

[Phantom2]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:50pm

Masturbation and sex scenes should sell lots of tickets. This is NYC for goodness sake!

Posted: 11/28/06 at 11:50pm

The sex scene is pretty tame. They're both basically fully clothed-- but Wendla's shirt is unbuttoned so that you can see one of her breasts and Melchior's pants are dropped so that you can see his backside. There is thrusting, but nothing tasteless. The masturbation scene is just humorous, not gross. If you see it, you'll understand. You don't see anything and the kid doing the whole thing is so hilarious that it hardly matters what his hand is doing under his nightshirt. Honestly, the sexual situations in the show are staged in a fairly artistic and non-abrasive way. If I were a parent, I'd be much more disturbed by Martha and Isle's song than by anything else, and, then, there's no nudity in sight.

Also, I was really disappointed by the ending after having read the play. Does anyone know why they changed it? How was it done for the Atlantic preview? I was looking forward to that scene so much.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 12:59am

The boys in the circle JO should be shirtless
then Brantley would rave!

It will be interesting to see if Brantley's review
matches Isherwood's
(which was not really a rave, but quotable)
I hope the show lasts a while
the Music and some performers are wonderful.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 1:09am

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.

Oh please. Marquee value? Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel? Nobody knew who the hell they were before WICKED. I don't care if Kristin had a Featured Actress Tony Award for a show that posted its closing notice the day after she won. She did not have marquee value. Idina was the original Maureen in RENT, but not even half of the people in the theatre community, let alone zero people in the general public could have pulled her name out of a hat and identified her in a lineup before WICKED.

Updated On: 11/29/06 at 01:09 AM

[lite2shine]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 1:30am

Well if the producers didn't think Kristin and Idina were marquee value, why their names were above the title? Also Joel Grey was in the show (original Emcee in Cabaret). They were at least well known among the regular theatre goers while very few of SA cast members are known name yet (so many "Broadway Debut!" in their bio).

stage door, I heard that the early preview at Atlantic, they did follow the ending as the original script, but they changed it because the mysterious man at the cemetery seems to be too abrupt. I think the creators have discussed about it on playbill.com or somewhere about the change (during off broadway run).
Updated On: 11/29/06 at 01:30 AM

[Jenny1284]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 2:11am

"I also think they don't have to reopen the 2nd act with them having sex."

When I saw it, one woman said, "Oh no, not again" and started laughing at that part. I didn't get the impression that she was offended, but she was a bit uncomfortable. I think she was with her teenage daughter.

I liked the show overall, but maybe not as much as I wanted to. Moritz was the most interesting character for me, and I wasn't as interested in the relationship between Melchior and Wendla. (I don't know if that's necessarily something that's wrong with the play or the performances, so much as it's a matter of personal preference.) I'm definitely looking forward to the cast recording, though, and if I had the chance, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing the show a second time.

[educator06]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:12am

Spring Awakening will survive I'm sure. It is such a great night of entertainment. I am 50 years old and absolutely loved it. I believe in the not to distant future, it will be difficult to get tickets to this show. My suggestion would be, go now while it is easy to get good seats.

[Pippin]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:19am

since sheik is of the mtv generation, they should market it on mtv, or mtv 2, as well as all on the radio in the tri state area, if they aren't already.

They should also get shiek to do a promo tour on talk shows, perform some of the songs, and do a little plugging.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:22am

I found the masterbation scene to be too much. It was tacky, uncomfortable, and unnecessary - particularly when he stars whacking off to the beat of the music, then wipes his...juices....all over his shirt.

[Feathah]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:30am

I'm not a prude or easily shocked but I found the masturbation scene to be too much. It was distracting!

I don't think the nudity was a big deal but I thought that was pretty unnecessary as well. I mean - we get it! They're having sex!

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:53am

I agree that the show should be promoted outside of the New York area. MTV is a good idea. VH1 and other cable stations should run ads. I feel this for all shows. It is ashame that "entertainment" shows such as E! Entertainment News and Entertainment Tonight don't cover Broadway more. (Seems like you have to be Julia Roberts, Denzel or Rosie producing a show to get covered n Broadway) Maybe if these shows did cover theater more, not just the hollywood stars that go to New York to do a play will have more marquee value outside of the theatre community. I live in Denver and there are people here that read the theatre websites and know what's going on in New York. But there are people that don't. I have people asking me what to see in NYC all the time. Get the word out! People outside of New York and LA go to New York to see shows! Just some random thoughts!

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:54am

I don't really understand, with everything else in this show, why the masterbation scene is causing such a ruckus. People said "they're just having sex," well he's just masterbating, and maybe that shouldn't make you feel uncomfortable...maybe that's the exact point of the show....

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 11:59am

Do you know how expensive a 30-second advertisement on MTV or VH1 would cost?

More than a Broadway show just starting out can afford.

And that's just for one spot.

Updated On: 11/29/06 at 11:59 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 12:04pm

I understand that they are expensive. Possibly put it into the budget? When I am in New York, I see tv ads for shows all the time. Some shows I see ads for constantly. I don't know if it is cheaper to advertise locally or not, but that was just my suggestion!

[Pippin]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 12:11pm

exactly- put it in the budget, and run the ads late night, where they are cheaper. Have Duncan appear on TRL (is that show still on?) and have E! run those 15 second blurbs about the show.

also, net advertising should be huge. myspace, itunes, mtv.com, and everything else that will cater to the younger generation that will want to see this show if they know that it is out there.

[educator06]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 12:19pm

They need to get their original cast recording out A.S.A.P.! The music is so good, and the singing is, well you get the picture. If Spring Awakening's music becomes well known, people will flock to this show. That is why the "Bitch of Living" number gets all the applause after they perform it. People are familar with the song. Go to the Apple store on Dec. 13, I'm sure these kids will be happy to sign your copy of the CD.

Live Performance by Duncan Sheik and Cast at Apple Store Soho
Composer, Duncan Sheik will give a rare look inside the creation of the new Broadway musical, Spring Awakening as part of the Apple Store's "Made on a Mac" series. Producer Tom Hulce will moderate an interactive discussion on the musical's development and some members of the cast will be on hand to perform.

When: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 6:00PM TO 7:30PM

Where: APPLE STORE, SOHO. 103 Prince Street

Christine Jones and Kevin Adams, Spring Awakening's set and lighting designers will also be appearing as a part of this series Tuesday, January 23rd at 6PM.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 5:23pm

The CD is coming out two days after the show opens. How ASAP can you get?

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 5:45pm

I don't know how the ending changed- having not seen the show- and only reading the original script- but it would be a shame to get rid of any of the sex and masturbation scenes from this show- especially as they are part of the original script.
When it was written- way back in 1898 or something- it was meant to shock and make people feel uncomfortable- and the show was banned- so let's at least pretend we've evolved somewhat.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 5:59pm

"- particularly when he stars whacking off to the beat of the music,"

To the beat of the music! Thats kind of strange...

[Phantom2]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 6:16pm

I believe it's spelled masturbation, but how would I know? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 6:37pm

If it flops, then I believe that:

NONE SHALL KNOW THE WONDER!!!!!!!!!!!!

God, I hope those lyrics aren't prophetic.

[jaybrrd]

Posted: 11/30/06 at 2:05am

I've written about this in another thread...

This show has a fairly low overhead -- not much in the way of elaborate sets or special effects, no big name actors, a small (in comparison) cast -- much like Avenue Q.

Also much like Avenue Q, it received strong reviews off-Broadway, strong enough to warrant a transfer. And, typically, the same reviewers return to the show after a transfer, so we can likely expect another batch of solid reviews -- much like Q.

BUT! This show still will not sell out (again, same thing Q did). Its true boost will come in Tony season. In a field of strong contenders, Duncan Sheik is thus far the frontrunner for best score -- his work has been universally acclaimed (Stephen Sater's work on the lyrics less so, but that's less of a handicap than you'd think).

Q never filled the house consistently until after it won its Tonys. I think you'll see a similar pattern with Spring Awakening. It may not win all over, but between word of mouth, reviews, and ramping up to the Tonys, it should carry on for at least a year.

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 11/30/06 at 12:24pm

I think we should let it open and see what happens. I think we have all put too much thought into it. And maybe we all could be wrong. It deserves a long run I think. At least one cast change!
Updated On: 11/30/06 at 12:24 PM

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 11/30/06 at 1:30pm

I just think it sucks we live in a time where Movie Musicals are in, Taking Hollywood movies and turning them into musicals is in, and where amazing theatre, such as Spring Awakening, can't get a break. Ugh! C'mon the fact that leagally blonde will be a hit over SA should say something about where Broadway is going.