Spring Awakening
Monday, April 07, 2008 at 08:53amYesterday I went to see Spring Awakening with Lisa, Greater Czarina, Janet and Bluebunny. Loved it. I knew about the subject matter going in, but I didn’t expect it to be so explicit. But it worked and I’m not a prude and the show was fantastic. I got an extra little thrill at the end when the cast did their curtain call and Duncan Sheik took the stage along with them — I am a big fan! I knew he wrote the music but didn’t expect him to be hanging around the theater on a Sunday afternoon. So that was fun. More about the day after the jump.
The show itself, like many musicals, was exuberant in Act One and took a bit of a depressing turn in Act Two. The show is set in Germany in the 1890s and deals with young people and sexual awakenings and that feeling of powerlessness over authority and adults. I read a comparison between the original play and the current musical and wow. I didn’t think the storyline could get any more German and bleak, but there you go. [obvious spoilers in that link]
The young actors in the cast were excellent, although I must admit that the lead guy (Jonathan Groff as Melchior) spit SO MUCH when he emoted that I became obsessed with watching the droplets constantly fly through the air. But boy, is he a talented actor. Also, in a bit of fun pop-culture trivia, the role of Moritz — a standout role in the show — was played by Blake Bashoff, who we know better as Carl from Lost (or, as we call him over at Too Much Free Time, “Poor Wayne”). Good to see he’s working. Sorry about the awful haircut, though, dude.
Bottom line? Go see it. Here’s a video of one of my favorite numbers from the show, “Bitch of Living,” with the original cast.
Afterwards, we took in an early dinner at Pomaire, a Chilean restaurant on W. 46th. The site has audio/video, but you’ll get to see the owner, who was incredibly friendly and told us that he fell in love with his wife after tasting her sangria. So we ordered two pitchers. We love her now, too. The food was excellent and I do recommend stopping by this place next time you’re in the area. It was here, also, that we were introduced to manjar, which we insisted on pronouncing the way it’s spelled and it’s amazing how many “Dirtys” and “That’s what she saids” we were able to generate around the term “man jar.”
How was your weekend?
Michael on Monday, April 07, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I already wanted to see this, and now you tell me there’s a circle jerk AND poor Wayne (he of the pouty lips)? Killing. Me.
I crushed hard on Duncan Sheik when that CD came out (so cute on the cover, too!), but I think I like him even better all tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff.
maddie on Monday, April 07, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I am definitely putting that restaurant on my list for dining when I’m up in NYC in May! The menu sounds absolutely delicious, and now I have to meet the owner after that story!
freakgirl on Monday, April 07, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Yes, go! What are you going to be doing in NYC?
maddie on Monday, April 07, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I’m actually going to visit my dad who lives in Summit, NJ - we are taking the train into the city for the day. I haven’t been there in sooo long, I miss the city terribly. I think we might see a show, if we can catch one cheap. I really want to explore lower manhattan again (LOVE) but going with my dad to NYC is not the same as going with my friends, he isn’t that adventurous. We might go to the Art Museum, MOMA or the Guggenheim. Hopefully it will be a nice day (first Friday in May) so I can explore Central Park a bit. I could spend weeks just walking around, if I had the chance.
GeekBoy on Monday, April 07, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Small world, Maddie. I work like 3 miles down the road from Summit.
maddie on Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:58 pm
No way! Small world, indeed.
freakgirl on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 7:39 am
That Sunday is Bike NY, Maddie. If you’re still around, the city will be filled with 30,000 cyclists (me included).
maddie on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 9:10 am
Unfortunately, that is the day I’m returning (crappy job with hardly a vacation day) so I’ll miss that. Sounds like it will be something to see! Is it a race or a ride through NY?
freakgirl on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 9:26 am
They call it a “tour,” so it’s basically a ride. A 42-mile ride through all five boroughs.
Ugh, my ass already hurts just thinking about it.
maddie on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 11:51 am
42 MILES? My ass hurts just thinking about it and I’m not even doing it. Sounds like a great experience though, going through all 5 boroughs.
freakgirl on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 11:57 am
It is. I’ve done it several times and although I usually regret it at some point during the ride (VERAZZANO BRIDGE), it’s worth it to get such great view of the city.