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July 3 -- So I finally broke down and downloaded the cast recording of Spring Awakening on iTunes. I wasn't sure if I wanted it, but since the Tony Awards, its been rolling around in my head and I had to find out if it was really that impressive. I've listened to it all the way through once since I downloaded it yesterday, and I'm still scratching my head. Does it sound musically groundbreaking? No. It is definitely rock musical-y and has a good sense of rhythm and I can't get the chorus of "The Bitch of Living" out of my head. But innovative? I'm not sure I understand that with this show yet either.* * *
Ok, so as of today its now been a little over a week and I've been listening to Spring Awakening a lot (too much maybe). I'm trying to get into it and understand the cult-like following behind it. I've been playing it at work, in the car, while studying and writing my papers and still...haven't had that epiphany. All I can say is that it is very rock musical-y, but I knew that from the first listen to music clips. I do find myself enjoying Spring Awakening's fresh, modern sound that Broadway has received from Duncan Sheik's work. But hearing that Broadway will "never be the same again" is a line that comes around every few years on the Great White Way. As I mentioned before, its reminiscent of the hoopla that surrounded Rent. I just watched the YouTube clip from Spring Awakening on The Today Show and after seeing that, I wish I could get the impact of the show the way those audience members have talked about.
I still really want to understand why Spring Awakening is so amazing. So again, if you have an answer, I'm willing to listen.
2 comments:
Maybe we're just too old to get it. Maybe we're too far removed from the relevance this has on teenagers today. I tried giving it a shot when I watched it in May. People were clapping like mad, especially during the song, Totally F***ed, where half the cast ends the song by flipping off the audience.
I don't get it...and I especially don't get the Tony for best choreography...they bounced around most of the time and only had one set of hand gestures feeling themselves up.
I think I have more negatives than most on this show, but ultimately you're right...if it causes more people to take an interest in theatre, it has served a positive purpose.
Haha, "Totally F***ed," I liked. :) Ok, so after another several rounds of listening (sorry to my co-workers who hear this coming from my office), I admit that I like the folk-y and upbeat aspects to the music. Duncan Sheik's music isn't bad (and even better to look at). You know, I do like the music, its just that the main issue I have is not understanding the idea of "groundbreaking" as a way of describing the show.
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