Why do so many people hate...... — Page 4

>> Most people on this board hate Spring Awakening because it's a show that has a rather intense teen fanbase, and obviously what we're supposed to do is hate anything that gains such a fanbase.

That's an interesting theory, but let's play "what if" a moment.

What if people dont like SPRING AWAKENING just because it's a mediocre show? It has nothing to do with its fanbase, just that's it's a mediocre show pretending to be this amazing rock concert RENT-wannabe about (gasp!) teens wanting to get it on!!!

Wake me when it's over, huh? It's not new. It's not revolutionary. It just happens to be different from everything else playing, and therefore people think it's soooooo radical. Well, sorry, but no, it's not. I honestly dont think it's possible to be radical on Broadway anymore, but gosh darn it, SPRING tries its darndest. Pity it just doesnt pull it off.

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I actually agree w/ Spork. Which makes me angry, because my drama teacher told everyone that he would advise us all to not go see the show, and then my fricking mother wouldn't let me see the damn show so I could actually have a worthwhile argument on the boards... gah! Anger! (sorry, I'm just sad about that)

But from what I've heard and seen, there's been much worse. I think it's the fact that people are singing during it that make people so upset.

That's true. I think it's a great show, but I don't think anything is new. The word "F*CK" has been in a show before (Think of ACL, people! 1975!) "racy" scenes have happened on stage before (uhm... too many to count), suicide has happened on stage before (let's start at romeo and juliet, shall we?) and rock music is nothing new. (rent, people! rent!) It's great, but it's nothing new, and it's not paving a brand new path on broadway.

Okay... being a lifelong rock fan ahead of being a musical theatre fan, let me speak. The music to this show is different and new and here's why. With the exception of Tommy (sort of) broadway hasn't seen real rock music. Rent is definately rock but it is more rock influenced than it is rock and roll. Many people will disagree with me because to them it probably is really rock. Rent, Hair, Aida, Brooklyn, and all the other "rock musicals," have songs that are generally more close in structure and feeling to a showtune. Not that that is bad... some (note some) of those shows are great and have helped warm up the musical theatre audience, but they still aren't rock and roll. Spring Awakening, although not necessarily heavy rock, is the first musical to really hit the mainstream that captures the essence of a rock and roll song. From the structure to the lyrics etc. most of these songs work completely well strictly as a rock song. And as far as the "blah blah blah" chorus that everyone hates... it again takes so much more from a rock tradition type lyric than something that say Sondheim might write. There is a reason for that lyric and honestly, in the context of what they are talking about, it fits perfectly. I will get bashed for this ut whatever. I hope this show opens up the theatrical world to heavier music and more rock and roll. Not rock and roll showtunes, but rock and roll.

I just felt the music of Spring Awakening sucked. Rock and Roll or not. It was something most people would make fun of if played on the radio. The music isn't so bad, but the lyrics are just God-awful and laughable.

It's not as if the detractors of Spring Awakening don't listen to other genres of music. It's as if we all stay in our padded cells listening to showtunes from the day we were born. Most people's musical tastes are eclectic and hear enough to know what rock and roll and other genres sound like and know what we like. For the detractors, Spring Awakening just isn't what they like.

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Updated On: 7/18/07 at 02:33 AM

>> If your entire point is to prove that people simply dislike it based entirely on the show itself, why was three quarters of your post bitterly devoted to fan/critic perception of the show?

Because, dearest, if someone suggests that this show is overrated, the rabid fanbase around here goes ballistic. That doesnt alter the fact that, when you cut through it all, the show *is* mediocre. It's all flash and no pay-off. Deal with it.

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Ive only heard the CD once and that was enough to stop me seeing the show. It isnt what i see as being a Broadway show. I may be a bit, just a bit of a traditionalist but this isnt a musical. I picture Rent mixed with High School Musical. Remember this time last year it wasnt very popular, now it has won a Tony everyboby must love it and god help those who dont.

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It's all flash and no pay-off. Deal with it.

It's not my favorite show, I don't have any bruised affections for it that need to be dealt with, dearest.

Yankeefan007's most recent post was able to make the point you claimed to be going for in your post. A simple dislike of the show itself. But you can't make that point, because the vast bulk of your postings on this thread were about your dislike of the fans and their reactions to criticism of the show.

That's a valid enough reason, I suppose, so it's best to just cop to it without deflection and pretension.