re: LaCageFans: SPRING AWAKENING Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 11:05pm

SPRING AWAKENING Review
https://nycriticscorner.broadwayworld.com/springawakening.htm

"Spring Awakening" was a hit at the Atlantic Theatre Company last season and opened to pretty decent reviews off-Broadway. But at the Eugene O'Neil theatre, this just is not the stuff great New York Broadway shows are made of. It recent years, the musical theatre is where pop sounds go to die (Mama Mia, All Shook Up). But, where does the artist who sang 1997's most played song of the year go to become popular again? Unfortunately Duncan Sheik and his show "Spring Awakening" have turned the Great White Way into a pretty unflattering and grey atmosphere. "Spring Awakening" pales in comparison to recent Broadway successes such as "The Drowsy Chaperone" or off-Broadway transfers like "Avenue Q;" however, giving credit where credit is due to the stories ultimate purpose, it is not quite enough to save a distastefully premised show that is accompanied by several ingenious moments that ultimately fails in such a large space.

It is that inherent nature of not being able to play on a Broadway stage that makes it virtually impossible to even think about Peoria. Off-Broadway is a unique atmosphere, and not every show needs to leave the comfort of its surroundings.

Most teens are not comfortable with their surroundings and are brimming with hormonal blossoms. In his best known play, "Spring Awakening" (initially known as The Awakening of Spring), German playwright Frank Wedekind (1864-1918 ) drew a portrait of a group of pubescent boys and girls raised in a rigid home, church and educational environment that precludes guidance for dealing with the manifestation of their sexual urges.

The clash between these adolescents and their harsh parents and teachers is prevalent in this musical version of the show, but the artistic treatment by director Michael Mayer with the Broadway transfer severely harms the shows definitive artistic treatment. Having a cast member masturbate to the beat of one of the songs crosses the line from artistic vision to complete absurdity.

Steven Sater's book and Duncan Sheik's 90's Christian rock band sounding music do nothing to propel an already intriguing story, but don't hinder the telling tale. At the end of the day nothing fascinating helps this Broadway amalgamation.

John Gallagher, Jr. from "Rabbit Hole" fame is actually the only young actor that turns in a thought provoking performance with true riches. Unfortunately the rest of the cast is under written and poorly conceived and have no real opportunity to shine.

The absurdity of "Spring Awakening" is its heart and soul. And while some moments can make even those most devout Broadway audiences snicker, the offensive knife may cut far into thin skin. If only the shows shining moments of pure bliss were outnumbered by its overwrought subtext, then maybe the audience that would finance this production wouldn't be driven away. That however, is just not the case and this awakening will fall into a coma rather soon.


Updated On: 12/6/06 at 11:05 PM

[theaterfan194]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 12:29am

Though i respect your opinion and your well written review. I thoroughly disagree with your assesment of Spring awakening. The show is one the most heartfelt and captivating shows of this season and for that matter many years. Duncan Sheik's score is full of haunting melodies and breathtaking songs. Songs such as "Purple Summer", "touch me", "Dark i know well", and "left behind" are beautiful and well fitting in the shows structure. From my point of view the characters of the show are well written and their songs or "inner monolouges" give much insight into their development through the story. The masturbation may seem silly but the scene is a fun way to add a bit of comic relief in an otherwise heavy show.
Also, though I did not see the show off- broadway i feel that it has not been drowned out by a large house. The use of lighting in the house really draws in the audience into the story. The show is still intimate. The staging is very inventive. The use of hand mics and onstage seating are thing that are unique and special about the show. The opening of act II with the speech and "the guilty ones" is one of many examples of intruiging and excellent moments in the show. Since i am a teenager i think that show's themes are very real in today's world. Schoolwork, sex, failure, abortion, and suicide are all themes relavent to us today.
*spoiler*
We may think that teens know more about sex today, but look at abstinence-only education is it really that different from Wendla ot knowing what sex is. What the show needs is better marketing. Me and a group of 8 of my friends went to see the show last week and we alll thought it was beautiful and moving. Every single person in the cast is on the ball. The acting, staging and musical all come together to creat a magical night at the theater.

however the choreography sucks...

but GO SEE it Go SEE it GO See it


Updated On: 12/7/06 at 12:29 AM

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 12:45am

Spring Awakening is fresh, new, and raw. It is amazing. The show every night gets standing ovations and the cast ALWAYS comes back to bow at least 3 times. And people don't do that to a show that stinks. I really hope SA stays and keeps sending its message out and sharing such a beautiful show with the world! GO SEE IT! GO SEE IT! GO SEE IT!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 8:04am

I couldn't get past the misspellings and disregard for grammar in the first few sentences, so I stopped reading.

But SPRING AWAKENING is brilliant.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 10:44am

Absolutely brilliant show! Powerful, moving with a gorgeous score and performances.

Go see it!!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 10:54am

I wish I saw what everyone else seems to in that show, but everyone around me was just as perplexed as I was in the Broadway house and I can't even say I enjoyed myself. To each their own...I just thought it was, well... bad.

[WestVillage]

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

I'm with you ... this show didn't do it for me. Found it very tedious. I don't get all the hoopla over it. I wasn't impressed with anything ... not the story, the music, the cast .. nothing. I wasn't even interested enough to stay for the second act. (and don't start with the "how rude to leave during intermission" ... my time is valuable to me and if I'm not enjoying myself, I leave). There were people sitting in front of me who snuck out before the first act was even over. I wish I had.

[educator06]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:30pm

LaCageFans, I couldn’t disagree with you more. Spring Awakening is a gorgeous play; with wonderful haunting music, an extremely talented cast and great Direction by Michael Mayer. Because SA is different, it would seem that some have trouble appreciating it for what it is. ART!!
Updated On: 12/7/06 at 02:30 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:31pm

I mostly agree with your review.

I enjoyed the show, and I thought it was beautiful to watch and to listen to. But it just doesn't work.

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:46pm

I absolutely loved Spring Awakening. Amazing Theater that should be seen.

I guess we just have different tastes as I really enjoyed the Little Dog Laughed and you did not.

May I ask how old you are? I am 35 for the record.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 2:56pm

I know you weren't talking to me, but I absolutely loved THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED.

I enjoyed SPRING AWAKENING, but thought it was deeply flawed.

And I am 21.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 3:04pm

Couldn't disagree more with your review.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 3:36pm

I'm 27. And although we both didnt agree on those 2 shows, I'm sure we'll agree (or not) sometime. Doesn't matter though, different points of view make the world go round and enjoyable!

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 4:00pm

I agree! Different points of view are always good to hear.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 4:07pm

It is a wonderfully artistic show with some of the best music I've heard on stage in my theater-going life....it's just that the book is a stinker.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/7/06 at 4:12pm

HYPERBOLE AWAKENING doesn't work.