Search - Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater, Skylar Astin :: Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

A "Romeo and Juliet" for the rock n roll age.

I. Sondel | Tallahassee, FL United States | 03/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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)."

Something special

Miles Teg | Norfolk, VA USA | 12/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Simply Incredible!

Justin | Chicago | 01/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."