September 8, 2008
Go See It: Spring Awakening
On Saturday night, sitting front and center at the Duncan Sheik musical, Spring Awakening, we couldn't help but draw comparisons between the show's plot and this year's most vital presidential election. The show has a haunting relevance to the issues that have been looping nonstop on CNN. More of the same vs. change we can believe in. Curmudgeonly adults vs. a hopeful, vibrant youth.
For us in San Francisco, the Spring Awakening tour offers a most attractive cast with stellar vocals that power through a thoughtful and exceptionally well-arranged pop score. And although we haven't been able to get the songs out of our heads since Saturday (kind of annoying, let's face it), our brains are still processing the message so boldly and passionately portrayed in the show.
Since tour productions are typically scaled-down, cheaper versions of the Broadway show, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the cast. Standouts included Steffi D (Ilse) of Canadian Idol fame and Kyle Riabko (Melchior) from The N's Instant Star. We also have to acknowledge Andy Mientus (Hanschen) and Kimiko Glenn (Thea) who so boldly broke the fourth wall to admire our hot-ass red heels and to scowl at our plus one, respectively and in character. Impressive.
We highly recommend that you download the OBC album from iTunes and go see the show while it's here in SF. We also dare you to get rush tickets ($30) for onstage seating, dress in period clothing and jump around during "Totally Fucked" with the cast. That's our secret dream.
Playing at the Curran Theatre through October 12th.
P.S. The ticket price includes the flashing of one nipple and a bare ass.
Photo: "The Bitch of Living" with the National Touring Cast of Spring Awakening, Paul Kolnik
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I'll flash you my nipple and my ass--hell, I might throw in a lengthy stare at my cock and balls--for $75.
This show is phenomenal. Please go see it. Seriously.
I saw it in NYC, it's indeed a pretty good show. But you guys hardly ever cover what is a pretty strong local theatre scene but then cream your jeans over a SHN touring show with a $75 ticket price (for the cheap sets!) that has minimal set and tech doodads. Doodads, which, obviously don't make the show but if I'm spending that much on an out-of-town tour I want a little more flash if I'm going to choose it over supporting similarly strong, similarly austere but much cheaper local talent.
Joel, maybe you'd be interested in covering some local theatre shows for SFist? Write Brock!
I totally agree that people who can afford a flight to New York and a $100+ ticket to a Broadway show should prioritize supporting local SF theatre.
Kidding, kind of. But, I agree with Leanne. It would be great to have someone covering local theatre.
Can we also have an honorable mention for Anthony Lee Medina who played Otto? His solo in "Touch Me" was fucking amazing, he had me in tears! All the kids were great, but he just stood out to me throughout the whole show. This one is a must-see!!
agreed, mnstrk3.
Also, Blake Bashoff as Moritz was a standout for me.
I'm going a week from Saturday. Can't wait!
I totally agree that people who can afford a flight to New York and a $100+ ticket to a Broadway show should prioritize supporting local SF theatre.
To be fair I was there for work and I got my cheapies waiting in the TKTS line with the rest of the bargain-hunters.
Sorry I sounded pissier about this than I meant to, it's a good show, definitely.
i saw it in NYC last year and i never stop telling poeple to go see it - it's the first time i loved a rock musical - cause face it, rock musicals suck. the cast was phenom. i got the OBC recording on my ipod as soon as i could (from the library, old school) and listen toit (and sing along) constantly. how gay is that?!
Do not take your parents/first date/clients to this. There's loads of wanking in it. But if you like a good singalong to songs about piano teachers' tits, then this is for you.
what amnazed me were the number of adolescents with their parents at the show in NYC. those manhattanites sure do know a teaching casual sex moment when they see one!
Anyone know how well the musical follows Wedekind's original play? I'm curious to see this, but perhaps not $50 worth of curious.
The "issues that have been looping non-stop on CNN" that SFist hints at (to avoid spoilers?) are pretty timeless. It shouldn't be too surprising to see them crop up in a play written in the 1890s and in a 21st century presidential election.
miumiu @10 re: rock musicals suck
99% of everything is crap, but Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Tommy are two examples of non-suck rock musicals that come immediately to mind. Was this worlds better or hadn't you seen those?
shazwozzle, it follows is well, but not spot-on (as any re-imagining should do.) there's no rape scene and....a few others that don't come to mind just now.
In a nutshell this play is about Austrian schoolboys with exploding nutsacks. And gets four thumbs (up your butt) from me.
oh
They're German, not Austrian.
Oh, and there is even a parents page on the website.
http://parents.springawakening.com/
I got to sit Onstage Thursday and its the most awesome vantage point ever!
Just because this isn't "local theater" doesn't mean its shite. These kids work hard and they're adorable!!!
PS. Please don't spread the word, but these $30 are gems!!!
Are they doing the sitting on stage thing here?
yep. i'll have a post on it later today.
Jesus Christ, no one said it was "shite.