Customer Reviews

Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I saw this on Broadway without having heard this recording. In this particular case I'm glad I didn't as my experience of total shock and surprise and wonderment may somehow have been diminished. As I sat in my seat at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre I was held spellbound by the energy, talent and beauty of this cast (which features multiple Tony winner Stephen Spinella). However, as great as the cast is (and they are indeed great), the stars of the night were director Michael Mayer, choreographer Bill Jones and the composing team of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater.

A teenage angst musical set in Germany circa 1890 and featuring a rock n roll score didn't actually sound like something that would interest me. Yet, in the hands of these grossly talented people, this material has been reanimated into a work of fabulous art, rooted in tradition and yet wholly original.

I picked up this CD after I returned home and have listened to it several times - and still cry. The music and lyrics are top drawer. The cast in dynamic. This is quality rock and roll - the high energy numbers are terrific, but the ballads (and they are plentiful) are what keep me listening again and again. Buy this CD (see this show).

I saw this show at the Eugene O'Neill Theater just after Christmas and about 30 seconds into Lea Michele's hauntingly beautiful opening solo number, "Mamma Who Bore Me", I knew I was witnessing something special. I'm old enough to remember when groundbreaking shows/albums such as "Hair", "Tommy", and "Jesus Christ Superstar" burst onto the scene and I got the same feeling while watching Act I of "Spring Awakening", that this was something new and vital.

Now before I get flamed, I don't think "Spring Awakening" is on the same level, either in terms of quality or originality, as those classics from the late-60's musical revolution. But I've become bored to tears with, as one reviewer aptly described it, "the era of jukebox and made-by-corporate committee film-to-musical shows". "Spring Awakening" is a wake up call for the Broadway musical genre, something fresh and alive. It's youthful energy, creativity, and hormones splashed all over the stage. As some critics have noted, it's uneven in places but the best part of the show is the part being reviewed here, i.e. the soundtrack.

The score is terrific and the performances are outstanding. The lyrics are a bit obscure at times, but are spot on in most songs (e.g. "Totally F*cked").

Highly recommended.

I saw the play version of this about 3 years ago and found it both deeply moving and very engaging. I always thought it would make a good musical, I just never thought it could be done as a pop/rock musical, but it CAN. "Spring Awakening" is the most amazing thing I have ever seen on stage. The cast and direction were incredible. The story of teenagers coming of age in 19th century repression may seem like a far off topic for a Broadway musical, but the music (which is both poetic and emotional) connects it to contemporary audiences. It transports you back to the memories of when you were 13 and discovering who you are and how things work. It's both frightening and rewarding. And it's interesting to watch teenagers who either know absolutely nothing about sex (the character Wendla believes babies come from Storks) or feel that sexuality is so evil it will send them to hell, experience feelings of eroticism, pleasure, attraction, and puberty and all the confusion and mystery that goes with it. Many people may find this subject matter offensive, in fact many audiences members left during intermission, but the same thing happened when "West Side Story", "Sweeny Todd", and "Rent" first opened and now they are classics.

This musical takes risks, breaks conventional musical rules, and it proves that Musical theatre is changing. It has to. How can anyone expect a living art form to remain stagnant when the world is changing around it? For years I've been hearing about the death of Broadway. And it's true that Broadway has been caught in a time warp of shallow, commercial safety, with big-budget producers and uninspired "non-risk" fluff, I mean just look at "Tarzan", "Mamma Mia", and all the revivals that keep getting redone over and over. This show gives me hope for the future of Broadway and of Musical Theatre.

Saw this show back in early March without ever hearing the music or being too familiar with the story. I have to say it is the best show I have ever seen on B'way! It was even better than Grey Gardens which I had seen earlier that day. The music is tremendous. I am a hughe fan of Duncan Sheik and he does not disappoint here. The actors are incredible and their voices really carry the material. Jonathon Groff and Lea Michele are talented leads, but my favorite was Jon Gallagher who really owned his songs. My favorite song has to be Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind followed by Touch Me and Guilty Ones. Everyone loves Bitch of Living, which is a great tune, but pails when compared to the entire score. If you have not seen this show, then do so immediately. I cannot wait to see it again.

This is a cast recording of a musical about teenage sexuality. This is also a musical about what can happen when parents do not communicate with their children. It is a sad show with a serious tone, but the music is great. Duncan Sheik did an excellent job composing these songs. There are so many strong performances here. Lea Michelle has a beautiful singing voice on track "Mama Who Bore Me" She plays the female lead Wendela. Lea Michelle is also superb on the track "Whispering" My other favorite track is "The Bitch Of Living" John Gallagher Jr. is so good singing lead vocals with the cast. This rock song really pumps me up. "I Believe is a such a pretty track, and so is the track Song Of The Purple Summer" These songs are so optimistic and hopeful. I really liked it. Lauren Pitchard shines in her role as IIse. She is a victim of child abuse. She sings the very moving song "The Dark I Know" This song is very powerful and it is one of my favorites on this recording. Jonathan Groff performs the track "The Mirror Blue Night" beautifully. This is a great song about the passage of time. I enjoyed every track on this recording, and I hope to see the show someday.

I went to see this play in December, shortly after it had officially opened on Broadway, and I really enjoyed it. The content is pretty explicit, but the play and the music present quite an accurate picture of teen angst. And once you've been through it, it never quite goes away. The cd soothes the anxious teenager within me.

The score for "Spring Awakening" feels much more like a great pop/rock record than a traditional theatrical score. Duncan Sheik, best known for his hit "Barely Breathing", has composed a series of songs full of hamony and emotion. While the cast sounds terrific throughout, my only real complaint is that the voice similaries can make it difficult to distinguish which character is singing. Nevertheless, this score is terrific!

Best tracks include:

The Bitch of Living
My Junk
Touch Me
The Word Of Your Body
The Dark I Know Well
Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind
Whispering
The Song Of Purple Summer (my personal favorite)

As the parent of a teenager I was a little nervous when someone suggested seeing Spring Awakening on our trip to Broadway this year. I researched the show up front so I knew what to expect and did prep my teenager as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the show, it's messages and the music. It's been a couple of weeks since we've seen it and we are still humming the tunes! I've seen a lot of theater over the years and this is one of the most unique productions I have ever experienced. The music is fantastic, played by a talented and unique band. If you haven't seen the show you might misunderstand what is on the CD. Don't let the language turn you off- this musical is out to make a point and it does! I recommend the musical and the CD, although with parental supervision for anyone younger than 16 years old. I would not recommend this for anyone younger than 13 or 14 years old.

This is a wonderful recording of this superb new musical. Its success will now change the face of musical theatre and hopefully end the era of jukebox and made-by-corporate committee film-to-musical shows. It is fresh, original and has a wonderful book, score and lyrics. Its direction is gimmick-free, crisp and tight.

While listening to the CD is no substitute for seeing the show, it stands beautifully on its own as an album of songs. I urge you to go out and see the show with its original cast. The replacement and tour casts that will follow will not be able to fully duplicate the magic of the original cast.

The reviews say this show is the best thing since RENT. Others say is 'revolutionary'. That kind of hype usually is reserved for shows that need to be hyped because they stink. Finally, here is a show that lives up to the hype. I bought the soundtrack in anticipation of seeing the show in January. It is an absolutely amazing soundtrack. Its a beautiful show about growing up, struggling with parents, sexual urges and discovering yourself. The "B*&tch of Living" is the BEST musical theatre song in at least a decade. Then seeing it live instantly brought tears to my eyes. I love this show and strongly suggest you discover it for yourself. Key tracks - The B*tch of Living, I Believe & Totally F*ucked.
Buy the soundtrack - and see it live if you can.