Review - Spring Awakening 12/27/06

Spring Awakening

12/27/06 - 2:00pm show

I did not know much about this show going into it. I read various reviews and knew the basics (an 1800's German play adapted into a musical, which featured rock music and shock value). We got student rush tickets (my first time - 2 hours standing outside in the cold! God bless all of ya'll that do this all the time!). We had Row B (second row) all the way at the end of the row, so the left corner of the stage was blocked, but no biggie. The house was totally packed.

For a quick overview, I enjoyed the show, however I do tend to think that it was a tad over hyped. The first act was very confusing. The songs were ok, but the story lines jumped all over the place. As soon as some type of character development started (which is usually what I like most in shows), it quickly stopped and moved onto something else. I'm guessing that the main theme in this show was teenagers coming into their own, rebelling against pre-determined rules from the elder generations, and coming into their sexual stages. Those themes are there, but the reasoning never really showed up. The pop/rock songs definitely didn't fit the whole 1800's time frame, but oh well. The songs were ok, nothing so great that I was singing them when I left the theater. I think a few scenes were added just for pure shock value. I know a billion people will fight me on this, but that's just how I feel. "Totally F**ked** I did not think was necassary. The second act really brought me into the show, but that song started taking me out of it. I also did not think the graphic sex scene between Wendla & Melchoir was needed. All it did was either make people gasp or giggle. It was a very turning point into the story, but it turned it into a specticle.

Acting -

Everyone did a good job.

Wendla - Lea Michele - Sweet voice but I don't see the hype. Seeing her live really made the resemblance between her and Idina Menzel even stonger in my mind. No matter how I feel, I can definitely see her continuing as a Broadway leading lady as she grows older. She has that aire about her.

Melchoir - Jonathan Groff - He's a cutie. Defintiely played the teenage angst role well. Awesome voice, but man, don't sit in the front row. I thought previous reviewers were just being petty, but damn he spits a lot. I don't understand why, but then again I don't sing, but damn it was like a shower. A little distracting, but it's all good.

Moritz - John Gallagher, Jr. - He stole the show for me. At first I didn't get the whole spaz thing, but man he was awesome all night. His performances were the most moving and got my heart involved in the story. I will definitely follow his career as he moves on.

The Adult Women/The Adult Men - Christine Estabrook & Stephen Spinella - These two actors played all adult parts, and were excellent. Estabrook (most known as ms. hoover from Desperate Housewives) was hilarious in all her roles, and Spinella was absolutely moving in a few of his (Moritz's father).

Other female roles - I actually think they had nicer voices than Lea Michele, esp. Lilli Cooper & Lauren Pritchard. Other than one song, they were pretty much always more of an "ensemble" than individuals.

Other male roles - Awesome voices, all of them.

I really didn't understand 75% of the choreography. Just groping yourself doens't really cut it for me. During "Bitch of Living" they were just too hyper for me. What was with all the freakin stomping? Same with the end of "Totally F**ked", what was with the super fast dance moves(groping), it just looked messy.

I have heard a lot of people comments beforehand and at the show that this is "the new RENT". No, wrong, don't even think it. While the staging is similar (SA - simple set with chairs serving as most props..RENT - simple set with table serving as most props) and both feature the band on the stage, that's the only similarities. I think people think it's similar because RENT was "controversial" & "shocking" when it first came out. But that was because it discussed topics that were pretty taboo at the time (AIDS, homosexuality, etc.). It was groundbreaking. Teenage coming of age, especially sexually, has been discussed in various mediums (90% of current movies) forever. The only thing that made this show "shocking" was how explicit they get with it, but to me that's not groundbreaking but looking for shock value. Just my opinion.

I will buy the cast recording because I would like to get familiar with some of the songs I liked. I would rate the show at a 3.5 on a 1-5 scale. It was good, I just won't be rushing back to see it anytime soon. I can see the show sticking around for a while, but not too long. Definitely check it out if you are in the mood to see a show, but I wouldn't tell you to "rush" to see it.

Edited: 12/28/06 to correct date