Spring Awakening -- Revisted on Tour

You know of the unnatural affection I have for Spring Awakening and some of it's cast members. It's been only 4 months since it closed on B'way and, in talking to a number of people of recent weeks, we'd begun to talk more of it's flaws than anything else. I'd begun to wonder if a huge amount of the beauty of the show was indeed coming from the original cast, which also trickled into the first few replacements. Blake Daniel (Ernst), Emma Hunton (Ilse) & Blake Bashoff (Moritz) were all incredible and worthy additions to the cast. Additional actors as part of the ensemble/understudy crew were also positive: Eryn Murman, Matt Doyle (who has his own bizarre cult following) and Alexandra Socha, who ended up replacing Wendla. After that: not so much.


And now, there is the Tour Cast. The show has been in Boston for three weeks, with one more to go. I'm sure if it weren't for may own production/tech week (The Crucible --which turned out to be AMAZING, by the way), followed by my daughter's production/tech week (Willy Wonka, Jr.) I would have picked up stage seats for each week. But I settled for twice.


Overall, the show is intact. Being able to bring it across country to those that didn't have the opportunity to go to NY, is great and the audiences haven't been dissappointed for the most part. I've had many students find their way there over the last few weeks and only know of one (so far) that didn't care for it. The set travels well, with a few exceptions....there is no pit for Act Two which was bothersome (but probably NOT to new audience members) BUT it interferes with the final entrances of Moritz and Wendla to disappointment. The lighting is still magnificent, although (as always) less effective while on stage.

The performance itself? Well. Hm. The bloom is off the rose now. I do have to preface the following comments by saying seeing the production from onstage does limit your ability to view things as they should, since you don't see the actor's faces well enough. So, a bit of my more dour comments may have been softened had I seen the show from the house. (But I'm not conviced of this.)


To the women: Angela Reed as The Adult Women. LOVED her. In her entirety. I've always felt the only person that played this part well was the Christine Estabrook. When she left the B'way show she was greatly missed. NO ONE held a candle to her, until now. I thought she was wonderful. So varied, so intense, and truly captivating. To open, I thought I was going to love Christy Altomare. I'd heard wonderful things about her and was looking forward to seeing it. Her opening song was strong and I was thinking: Yes! I'm going to like her. Even during the first scene with Reed, I was on her side. Then is just sort of stopped. As she did. No growth, no dimension...just "nice". Steffie D (Ilse) was good (although there were a few clunker notes) but I was not drawn to her in any way. And honestly, that's all about the women worth discussing.The rest of the girls were...fixtures. I thought the beauty of the original cast was how individual they each were...here they only believed themselves to be minor characters.

The men: Many more positive things to be able to say here. Blake Bashoff, will continue to be one of my favorites of all time. I would go to see him unwrap a stick of gum. (Really, I would -- because he'd make it interesting.) He's now been playing this part since December of 2007. To the best of my memory/knowledge he hasn't taken vacation (but I don't follow the tour news) and while on Bway, took almost no days off. At 8 shows a week...that's a lot of suicides and a lot of tears. And he hasn't let down one iota. I am in awe of his talent and likewise his dedication. He plans to stay with the tour as it finishes this leg in Chicago in August. I look forward to what comes next for him. (Donnie Darko on B'way anyone???)

Kyle Riabko (Melchior) also comes from B'way having assumed the role briefly when Jonathan Groff departed. Kyle has improved LEAPS and BOUNDS since B'way, but still did not win my heart. I still don't see enought thought and life within his portrayal. I will never fault his singing, and will bow down to his falsetto any day of the week.

I enjoyed the Adult Men, Henry Stram except for one detail. Acting wise he was second only to Stephen Spinella, and world's above Glen Fleshler. In speaking, however, to Bashoff, I found out that Mr. Stram could not do the physical blocking necessary in the confrontation scene. I missed the smacking of Moritz, I thought it was integral in fully the utter despair into which he falls.

I enjoyed seeing Matt Shingledecker in a role instead of his chair on B'way, and his Georg was fun. Ben Moss and Andy Mientus were nicely cast as Ernst and Hanschen. I am still amazed, sadly, on audience reaction to their passionate kissing. Lord....it's 2009 and they are ACTING. (And it was fierce!)

I'll be returning...just one last time.

Tony Predictions

I have to admit: I'm pretty impressed with my Tony Award nomination predictions.

Below are my predictions for the out come. I marked it 2 ways: What I think SHOULD win (*) and what I think WILL win (+). Here goes nothing! I took out some of the tech awards that I have no idea whatsoever.

Best Play

Dividing the Estate
God of Carnage *+
reasons to be pretty
33 Variations

Best Musical

Billy Elliot, The Musical+
Next to Normal*
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical
Producers: Dreamworks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions

Best Book of a Musical

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal *+
Shrek The Musical
[Title of Show]


Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal *+
9 to 5: The Musical
Shrek The Musical


Best Revival of a Play

Joe Turner's Come and Gone *
Mary Stuart
The Norman Conquests+
Waiting for Godot

Best Revival of a Musical

Guys and Dolls
Hair*+
Pal Joey
West Side Story


Best Special Theatrical Event

Liza's at The Palace
Slava's Snowshow*
Soul of Shaolin
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush+


Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play

Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow*+
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski, reasons to be pretty

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play

Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage+
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart*
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish ‚ Billy Elliot, The Musical+
Gavin Creel, Hair*
Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal*+
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play

John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests*+
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play

Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate*
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, reasons to be pretty
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit+
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical+
Will Swenson, Hair*

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical+
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey*
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical


Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical*+
Scott Pask, Pal Joey
Mark Wendland, Next to Normal

Best Costume Design of a Play

Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart*+

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical*+
Michael McDonald, Hair

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, Hair*
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot. The Musical+

Best Direction of a Play

Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner's Come and Gone*
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage+
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Best Direction of a Musical

Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical+
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair*

Best Choreography

Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical*+
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin's White Christmas

April's Shows -- Better Late Than Never!!

Ok...quite the whirlwind of Activity.


HAIR: I am the most confident I've ever been that Hair will win for Best Revival of a Musical. Not only do the other nominations have little to write home about; but Hair is extraordinary, moving and meaningful theatrical experience. I, indeed, did see this at Central Park this past summer and had my concerns for it's success INSIDE, as I felt the setting OF the park added a beautiful dimension to the story. Any fears I had are incredibly unfounded. Diane Paulus has re-imagined the production and beautifully directed it twice! She is incredibly deserving of her Tony nomination and I am actually hoping for her to win.

Since you can see my original review, I will just talk about a few noticeable differences.

Overall, the confines of the theater actually makes the production more intimate than at the vast openness of the Central Park theater. Theo (see below) put it into fabulous terms: At the park...it was for everyone...people walking through the park, the stars, the air. The theater-setting is more selfish and more about just us. The "us" meant all of us in the theater...not the cast. The amount of cast/audience interaction is insane. I've never been more molested, toyed with and entangled at a show. The energy this young cast expends is beyond the imagination. Gym memberships are not a necessity! I was lucky enough to sit in the front row, and landed front row tix again for August during my annual pilgrimage!

Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mary Poppins [London]) has replaced the boy toy of B'way, Jonathan Groff as Claude, the unsure and bewildered of the "Tribe". I adore Groff and adored him in this piece, but I have to admit, Creel brought "something" to the role that I didn't even know was missing. Creel was more centered, more thoughtful. I loved everything about his performance and how beautifully he fit in with the cast. Will Swenson (who should be picking up a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor) was even better with Creel.

Caissie Levy as Sheila. There were many nay-sayers against Levy well before Hair opened on B'way. I'd never heard of her, so could care less. I loved her performance. I like the contrast she provides to the rest of the cast as the true protester...her Sheila wants to change the world. I was quite drawn to her plight.

There are a number of standouts (still from the Park's production) I'd like to mention for their unimaginable spirits and beauty, on and off stage.

Kacie Sheik -- her loopy and forlorn Jeanie is as delightful as she is. (Doesn't hurt that her brother is one of my musical idols, Duncan!)

Allison Case -- this girl is so incredibly powerful. No matter where she is on stage or what her character is doing, you cannot help but be drawn to her. She is light and beauty and emotion. I will liken her TO Jonathan Groff as being more "in the moment" than any other actors you are likely to see on a stage. I am not ashamed to admit: I got a little girl crush on Allison. I fangirl for her! (If that was too icky to read....too bad!)

Bryce Ryness -- continues his amazing portrayal of Woof. Loved him at the park, love him more now. (I cannot attest to Bryce's off stage beauty, as I haven't met him....yet.) His commitment is beautiful and you just want to be his mom. Go check out his band as well....wow! http://rynessband.com/music.html

Theo Stockman -- is a tribe member, and is glorious. Another ever present being, I found myself looking for him during the performance to "check in".

**********

NEXT TO NORMAL: This should be the Tony Winner for Best New Musical, but I fear it will lose to Billy Elliot. It is truly an ORIGINAL musical and thoughtful and moving and contemporary. (Look for music clips in my side bar, over there <------!!) N2N tells the story of a family riddled with problems. The most obvious is the mother's bi-polar diagnosis along with other mental issues. (To say more would require a spoiler alert!) It is heart-breaking, eye-opening, frightening and real. The cd is amazing and a constant on my playlist.

Sadly, N2N NEEDS to win the Tony to make it as a commercial success. It is not going to attract your average theater goer that thinks that have kept Phantom, Wicked and Mama Mia as long running shows. It's intellingent and sensitive, and a bit of a smack in the face with reality. The kind of show I thrive on.

Alice Ripley is a genius. If she does not win the Tony Award for Best Actress, then the Tony Awards are a total and complete sham. She is performing a tour de force. (I have no earthly idea if that spelled correctly.) The role is difficult, demanding and all encompassing. She is magnificent in all capacities.

J. Robert Spencer replaces Brian D'arcy James (now in Shrek -- more on that later) from the off b'way run. He is wonderful in his own right and worthy of his Tony nomination. I missed Brian, but that's a personal thing more than anything else.

Jenn Damiano as Natalie, the perfectionist daughter headed for trouble. Jenn made her b'way debut in Spring Awakening at 15, but left the show to pursue this role. She is outstanding. At 17, she too is nominated for a Tony Award for Supporting Actress. She is amazing, and I can only imagine what the future has in store for her.

Aaron Tveit, Gabe. Sadly, Aaron did not receive a nomination for his incredible performance in N2N. One of the few true slights in my opinion. He is ethereal and magical. (And he's phenomenal eye candy, too.)

*****

SHREK: Meh. I was disappointed. So were my kids. It was their least favorite show of our trip. I found the book as well as the music to be pedestrian. All the characters were 2-dimensional. I just wasn't made to care.

Sadly, for a family show, the language was suprisingly crude. Even my son remarked on it. It made him uncomfortable.

Sutton Foster (Fiona) is totally wasted here. Or perhaps her status at the "it" girl is fading.

Brian d'Arcy James does a great imitiation of Mike Myers, and physicalizes the part well. Big deal. I wish he'd stayed with N2N. Might Shrek end up running longer thereby providing him with a more consistent income: probably. But I wish he'd made the other choice.

Best part of the show? Neil Patrick Harris (The host of this year's Tony Awards, btw) He was sitting only a few row ahead of us. My daughter wanted to say hi, and he held her hand for a few moments (the result of an awkward failed handshake. I thought she was going to pass out! Priceless.

*****

WICKED: Then? I fell in love with this 5 years ago when I saw it with the original cast. I was not pleased when Avenue Q won the Tony award over it.

Now? It was....good. It's flaws of a weak book and lackluster character development screamed in my face. Luckily, my children where entranced...which is why I went back anyway. When my 8 year started to piece together how things were tying into The Wizard of Oz it was exhilarating! It was their favorite show. (And my son went begrudingly since it was his sister's choice.)

******

STOMP (off B'way): 15 years Stomp has been playing off b'way. It is still and amazing show full of suprises and energy and unique artistry. They are still putting in new material. We love this and would go back to see it again.

This was the first show my kids stage doored for, and I fear I have created a few monsters! They had to wait to get each performer sign their drumsticks. But they were delighted and in awe. The performers got a kick out them both.

Side note: having dinner near the theater we met Ben Baily and the crew of the Cash Cab. He was so kind to the kids. He invited them to come see and sit in the cab. They put the lights on and showed them all the cameras. We took pictures, they took pictures. My kids were in heaven!

My Tony Nominations

Well, since the real thing gets announced in approximately 36 hours, I thought I ought to go ahead and post.

Below are my PREDICITONS. Note that beyond Best Play and Best Revival, I did not complete the play categories. There are just SO many plays I have seen yet, that I felt like a fish out of Water.


Best Musical
Billy Elliot
Next to Normal
9 to 5
Shrek (?)

Best Revival
Pal Joey
West Side Story
Hair
Guys and Dolls

Best Actor
Gavin Creel (Hair)
The Billys (Billy Elliot)
Brian D’Arcy James (Shrek)
J Robert Spencer (Next to Normal)
Craig Bierko (Guys and Dolls)

Best Actress
Alice Ripley (Next to Normal)
Allison Janney (9 to 5)
Megan Hilty (9 to 5)
Kate Jennings(Guys and Dolls)
Stephanie Block (9 to 5)

Featured Actor
Greg Jbara (Billy Elliot)
Marc Kudisch (9 to 5)
Will Swenson (Hair)
Aaron Tveit (Next to Normal)
Chris Sieber (Shrek)

Featured Actress
Hayden Gwynne (Billy Elliot)
Jenn Damiano (Next to Normal)
Karen Olivo (West Side Story)
Martha Plimpton (Pal Joey)
Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show])

Director
Daldry (Billy Elliot)
Greif (Next to Normal)
Paulus (Hair)
Mantello (9 to 5)

Choreographer
Darling (Billy Elliot)
Skinner (White Christmas)
Blankenbuehler (9 to 5)
Armitage (Hair)

Costume
Zinn (A Tale of Two Cities)
Robbins (White Christmas)
Hatley (Shrek)
McDonald (Hair)

Set
Walton (A Tale of Two Cities)
McNeil (Billy Elliot)
Hatley (Shrek)
Pask (9 to 5)

BookHall (Billy Elliot)
Yorkey (Next to Normal)
Bell ([Title of Show])
Resnick (9 to 5)

Score
Elton John (Billy Elliot)
Kitt/Yorkey (Next to Normal)
Parton (9 to 5)
Bowen ([title of show])

Best Play
Reasons to be pretty
God of Carnage
Irena’s Vow
33 Variations

Best Revival
Exit the King
Mary Stuart
Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot