I saw this last week, and it was easily one of the most beautiful shows I have ever seen. Michael Arden's direction and interpretation of this musical are unparalleled. Daniel Durant, Austin McKenzie, and Sandra Mae Frank are absolutely phenomenal, as is the entire cast. The lighting, the choreography, everything about this musical is amazing. I am obsessed. Do not miss out on your chance to see this show, which ends its limited engagement January 24th.
1
Um, why on earth did you announce in the review that two of the three central characters don't survive?! You know that's called a spoiler, right? Why would you give this away for those of us who have never seen the show?! Thanks a lot.
2
It's a play written in the 1800s. I think the cat's out of the bag.
2
I saw this tonight and I can't express in word what a fantastic show it was. I was blown away at how seamless the show moved and what a moving and timeless piece this is.
1
The director did a flawless job, and it's moving/touching in the sense that a huge feat has been pulled off in that the show is performed by a mix of deaf and hearing actors(They're all pretty good). That's about where it ends for me. Some of the music is beautiful. The storyline is "eh". Not sorry I saw it, but have no desire to see it again. I'm not even sure I'd recommend it.
Was completely MOVED by this production. I must go back. This is everything theatre CAN be.
3
The creation of this production and its execution in such an eloquent way is a success in itself. The amount of talent it takes for an actor or actress to sign while acting is immeasurable. I think to when the original production came to the Broadway stage. It shocked viewers everywhere with its intense music and supreme acting. The reprise received an equal reaction. An approach to the production in this form was guaranteed to leave lasting impressions on viewers’ everywhere. Also, I think there is something to be said about the Deaf West making their way onto the Broadway stage. This is proof that the community of Broadway is growing and I have to say that I think it is headed in a thrilling and spectacular direction.
Saw this remarkable production in Los Angeles and am thrilled its arrived on the Great White Way! GO!
Bravo!
1
As someone who normally detests the insipidness of musical theater, I loved SPRING AWAKENING during it's initial run and saw it three times, twice with Jonathan Groff and once with Hunter Parrish and loved it. The music is sublime and the energy was contagious. While my initial impressions about this revival were skeptical (as you state, "deaf" and "musical" seem incongruous) I am going to give it a try. With a moving story and music so great it would be near impossible for it to be anything less than good and, if your review is to be believed, it is far more than that.
3
I saw the play two weeks ago. I think this is better than the original production, which I saw twice. And, this could actually be the best revival of the year (yes, I know it is early to say such) as I think the play's message is more visceral in this presentation than it was in the original.
9
saw the original, and loved it. saw deaf west's "big river" (3 times) and loved it. so rushed out to tickets to this. can't wait to see it -- I'm sure i'll love it, especially as sign language brings so much to a theatre performance -- it is theatrical, and beautiful to watch. (I once was performing puppet theatre, at one performance they had an interpreter on stage, at the end of the show I got mesmerized by her signing ... such that my light cue for blackout was delayed (!)) not sure what mr. Isherwood means by "deaf actors may not have the tools that most actors do..." -- has an odd ring to it, and might just as well say that "most actors may not have the tools that deaf actors do"(!!)
1
Gorgeous! Amazing!
He had seen Spring Awakening 8 years ago, I liked.
Today, with this production, my being has fully vibrated.
I have enjoyed every detail. I enjoyed the enormous human wealth it presents.
It has revolutionized my being, has raised me to God.
Thank you! Thank you very much for this wonderful effort.
He had seen Spring Awakening 8 years ago, I liked.
Today, with this production, my being has fully vibrated.
I have enjoyed every detail. I enjoyed the enormous human wealth it presents.
It has revolutionized my being, has raised me to God.
Thank you! Thank you very much for this wonderful effort.
7
I saw the original Spring Awakening on Broadway, and I saw this revival in its Los Angeles pre-Broadway run. The talented, youthful cast truly shine. It's worth seeing again--same musical play but re-imagined and re-invigorated by a group of amazing actors.
1
Saw it yesterday. It's a revolutionary re-staging, it absolutely took my breath away. This review is spot on except in one area -- not only is the young Ali Stroker in a wheelchair, she is the first permanently wheelchair-using actor to ever be on Broadway. The only other wheelchairs on Broadway were for temporarily injured actors or props for conventionally-abled actors. And she is so good, you stop paying attention to the chair within minutes.
11
I saw it in previews about two weeks ago and thought it was just amazing!! I saw the original and thoroughly enjoyed that production. This revival really does bring something extra with the bilingual presentation in ASL and English. This review captures some of the brilliance of this production. I truly hope I get to see it at least one more time before it closes.
3
absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed this creative and powerful performance. ground breaking in it's use of deaf actors to not only showcase their talent but to perhaps demonstrate (in a most unique way) the difficulties of generations to communicate. run to go see this show.
3
Loved the original Broadway show ... I'm disappointed I won't be able to see this one!
Having clicked on the link for one of the shows stars, Daniel Durant, and reading that he's 25 years old yet he's playing an adolescent (and the other actors appear similarly long-in-the-tooth to play adolescents), I wonder whether the "repressive social order" which gives rise to such sexual confusion in young adults ... oops, I mean children ... isn't still with us.
3
People in their late teens are nearly always played by actors in middle-to-late 20s in the theater, film and TV.
3
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, we get the Broadway leftovers after the shows close, so I saw "Spring Awakening" for the first time just a couple of years ago. I scratched my head and wondered why 1) the most shocking element in the original play had to be watered down (late 1800s Berlin is still more daring than early 21st century US), 2) such an unimaginative score with clunky, desperately vulgar lyrics was such a hit, and 3) NYers pay so much for so little when they could just wait 5 years and see it off Broadway for a 20th of the cost? OK, I get number 3, but please stop sending us number 2.
3
Living in New York and having survived a few road shows, I won't risk being the typical arrogant New Yorker so I'll try to soften my comment: Trust me, it's not on the same level or professionalism or stagecraft.
6
However, I'LL be the arrogant New Yorker, having escaped Grand Haven 20 years ago and knowing full well the meager cultural life of your tiny Republican hamlet. Please let us know, what do you have better there now to be turning your nose up at a fresh Broadway run you'll never crawl out of Podunk to see?
1
I saw the original production several times on Broadway and the national tour in Nashville, and I thought the latter was a superb reproduction of the original. The cast was Broadway caliber and the production lost nothing. As for the show itself, it was not to everyone's taste from the beginning. I'm in the crowd that found it breathtakingly original and brilliant. Am seeing the new production in two weeks.
2
This is not a review.
Isherwood is fawning too much over the show's material, as well as the staging here, without explaining what the purpose is, as he might see it.
Isherwood is fawning too much over the show's material, as well as the staging here, without explaining what the purpose is, as he might see it.
Saw and loved it, the review is right on target. High energy cast ,band helped keep the direction of the play covering the awakening most of us recall quite vividly no matter what age we are.
4
I was fortunate to enjoy the original six times on Broadway (sitting on stage twice) so I was one of the first to purchase tickets for the pre-Broadway production in LA. It was stunning on it's own merits while staying true to the brilliant script and score. The concept is as phenomenal as is it's execution. Thank you for continuing to re-invent this wonderful art that is theatre.
11