When I see a musical it has to hit me on a gut level. For me a musical still has to be about the story and the characters, and can’t become a song and dance show. Big shows like these can become self-devouring in their grandeur gobbling up the acting and drowning out the story. This, at least, was my fear coming into this show, but when I left those thoughts had completely dissipated. In this national tour of Broadway’s Spring Awakening each element of the production contributes to make an amazing show in which the story and the relationships between the characters reign supreme. The show had superb and nuanced acting, the story was clear, heart wrenching and engaging, and the music was beautiful, well composed, and drove the show forward.
One of the surprising things about this show was how powerful it was, and how that power was communicated to the audience. The play was incredibly racy, more so than I think anyone expected, and kept me guessing at what was coming next. The blocking and choreography (as well as the set and lighting) was simple enough so that it didn’t distract from the story, but was interesting and totally creative; no matter where you looked you were watching something that drew you in. But what really stuck with me when I left the theatre was how moved I was. Everything on stage connected me to the story and the plight of the characters. When the lights (open light bulbs hanging from the ceiling) came up in blue, I was immediately taken into the inner emotional life of a character, and when a song came crashing in I was taken into the world of another. Throughout the play the importance of meaningful physical contact in the repressed world of the play registered deeply with me on a gut level, so that by the end of the show when people touched each other I was hit with the wave of emotion that had been brewing on stage the entire show.
For this play I’d say: You’ll laugh, you’ll be surprised, you’ll be deeply moved, and you’ll get your moneys worth
“Spring Awakening” Will next be in Sacramento CA Nov 4-15
Interesting take… Glad you saw it. Have you heard the music before you walked into the production?
Here’s my review:
http://broadwaycritic.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/theatre-review-spring-awakening-broadway-san-jose-1030/
Thanks for the Nod! No I’d never heard the music and I was blown away! I’m doing a show here at UCSC which I think is a very good piece of new theater, and (if it’s not to silly) you have a totally open invitation to come and check it out. It’s called The Animals Of Omaha. On Facebook: http://TwitPWR.com/wwX/ -and a write up: http://TwitPWR.com/wCe/
Thanks again!
-Noah