Joel’s marathon theatre weekend concluded with the one show almost guaranteed to get mixed reactions – Spring Awakening. Gary acknowledges that the audience went wild after every scene, but it just wasn’t for him. Debbie, who enjoyed the work of choreographer Bill T. Jones, found the stoic 19th century story juxtaposed with in-your-face rock music challenging. Joel, who has loved the show since before its transfer to Broadway, says it might take several listens to understand its brilliance. Listen in to hear what it’s like when they disagree.
Stagedoor greetings from: Skylar Astin (Georg) and Lauren Pritchard (Ilse), Director Michael Mayer (Director), Lilli Cooper (Martha), Brian Charles Johnson (Otto), Phoebe Strole (Anna), and Robert Hager (Understudy for Georg)
Listen here.
While Spring Awakening had some brilliant scenes, I have to agree with Gary that as a whole piece, the show fell short. I would agree with Joel and Debbie that the score is very good and is fresh and unique. I think the problem for me was with the book. It felt the characters were too much abstractions and not real flesh and blood relatable persons (with th epossible exception of Melchior). Overall, I felt the show was like a beautiful piece of art you could admire but feel at a distance while watching it. I thought Rent was a more satisfying musical of this type.