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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
My excuses to fans of Spring Awakening, but I think the whole show is a dud. I've listened to the songs over and over again. The whole concept is a bit too artsy-fartsy for my taste, but mostly it's the music that I don't like. It's terrible. Definitely not Broadway material there!
I have always loved American musical theater, from the Show Boats and Rosalies to the Assassins and Cabarets. This one just doesn't do it for me. I respect Mr. Sheik for attempting to modernize the Broadway tradition, to do something innovative, but I don't know where he is going, and I decidedly don't want to go on the ride. He makes a good point, though, when he talks about 'outsiders.' Critics and audiences alike seem to appreciate Spring Awakening as a great new musical, whereas I see it merely as an ephemeron, a token show created by men and women who have either nothing to do with Broadway or, worse yet, intentionally want nothing of it. All kinds of art have histories: painting, photography, dance, set design, even American musical theater, which like Jazz, is a strong part of our American cultural identity. What makes any object or performance of art interesting and relevant to its very art form, no matter how avant-garde or deconstructed it may be, is its self-reflection, reference and allusion to its own past and origins. I hope I'm not being too nasty, but Spring Awakening, in my opinion, fails this.
I have a problem with the 'rock musical' genre, that is, I wonder if it truly is a genre. Hair, for example, is a great show with great numbers. It may, to some extent, borrow from elsewhere -- it's nonetheless a musical. Heck, even the Swedes Benny and Bjorn of ABBA understood back in 1984 when they composed Chess with Tim Rice. "I Know Him So Well" is a wonderful show tune, a real show stopper. I still wouldn't call Chess a 'rock musical.' I'm always sceptical when a new production comes out calling itself, or getting called, enthusiastically or unfavorably, a 'rock musical.'
There are no show stoppers in Spring Awakening. Nor are there any intelligent, well-crafted witty numbers like you might hear in a Sondheim show. Nor are there any tunes that actually sound like they were written for Broadway. No, the Spring Awakening album just sounds like another CD of bad pop music. It won't be remembered twenty years from now.
I haven't seen "Spring Awakening" on Broadway, but being a longtime fan of Duncan Sheik and an owner/appreciator of his solo output, the soundtrack album has been in near-steady rotation in my car and on my iPod for months. Those familiar with Sheik's music will notice similarities between his solo work and "Awakening's" musical score, particularly in the guitar chords and string arrangements. The man has a way with a pensive minor chord which serves this work so well. The orchestration is layered, lush and gorgeous.
I don't know if Sheik was the only person who could've scored this play, but wow, I admire what he and lyricist Steven Sater have done with it. What an accomplishment. The show-ender "Song of Purple Summer" - its harmonies and its hope - still chokes me up, even after hundreds of listens.
Crank it up.
I saw Spring Awakening on the opening weekend, December 2006. I went in with no previous knowledge, buying my ticket based on the recommendation from a professor of drama at NYU. I was truly amazed by the performance. I am typically a fan of classics, such as West Side Story and My Fair Lady, but this musical truly touched me, "just like that." I can understand why some people might be skeptical, but I think that they are also approaching the topic predisposed to dislike it. I have shared this music with so many people, from those who typically to only enjoy rap and r&b to others who spend their days playing classical music. The only person to not fall in love with it happened to be an overly enthusiastic fan of death metal. I think part of the experience, as it can be with any broadway musical, is seeing the play. Even if you can't see it, I would suggest reading the original text.
I produced a concert of Duncan here in Arden, DE recently and it was wonderful. This interview however is the first I have seen him talk about his feelings for writing to other's lyrics and for other singers compared to writing his own songs. I find the Spring Awakening music to be amazing and inspired, some of the best music I have heard ever. For Broadway the show is groundbreaking, bringing teen performers into a show where they are truly in touch with the issues and create characters than live and breathe. The fine lyrics of Sater and the amazing direction of Michael Mayer combine with the thrilling choreography of Bill T Jones to make an enthralling, exhausting, but gorgeous night of theater. When I saw the show with my 2 teenage daughters, we stayed after and chatted with the amazing cast. Now they have been able to chat a bit with Duncan as well. If only he could have done more than 3 songs from the show here! John Gallagher Jr from here in Delaware, grew up a mile from our house, is up for a Tony! Good luck John! My daughters and I act in musicals at Wilmington Drama League, where John started nearly 10 years ago. I will be watching and hoping for this show to sweep the awards! Watch for the Spring Awakening scene at about 10:25 PM on Sunday (after the Sopranos thankfully!)
See this show folks, and buy the album. Duncan produced the album (all on his Mac of course). Listen to the cello on Don't Do Sadness.
Ron
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