Day 4-11/23/09

Show: Spring Awakening
Date: 7/26/09
Type: Audio
Cast: Jake Epstein (Melchior), Christy Altomare (Wendla), Blake Bashoff (Moritz), Steffi D (Ilse), Ben Moss (Ernst), Andy Mientus (Hanschen), Claire Sparks (t/r Thea), Krista Pioppi (u/s Martha), Gabby Garza (Anna), Matt Shingledecker (Georg), Anthony Lee Medina (Otto), Henry Stram (Adult Men), Angela Reed (Adult Women), Lucas Wells (Chair of Rock), Perry Sherman (Chair of Rock), Julie Benko (Chair of Rock), Krystina Alabado (Chair of Rock)

This is actually a performance that I saw, so I still sort of remember what it looked like as well as knowing what it sounded like. You might think this is useless because I wrote a very detailed review 4 months ago. But I don't think I was entirely honest.

First thing I assumed when I pressed play, was that it sounded like a stage recording. I have no idea if I'm right. But it kind of sounded like Christy was next to the recorder and when she was moving and putting her dress on you could hear her voice getting further away. Definitely interesting. I thought her voice started pretty nice, as there have been times that I've really hated her voice. I just wish she had been powerful in the end like Lea was. The scene with the mom was cute, I could hear Angela groaning a few times after Christy said something which was interesting. I do feel like Angela may get like Christine Estabrook did and start seeming stale and overacting. This was early for Jake with the tour, but I'm ambivalent about him. His voice is fine and so is his acting, but sometimes it just sounds like lines. I really have a hard time standing Blake. I just don't like his voice when he's acting or singing. I found Anthony's Touch Me solo to be fine, but not a favorite for me. A lot of people don't like Matt Shingledecker in Touch Me, and I agree. He has a good voice, I mean he is hitting those notes nicely. But it's mostly the fact that he doesn't riff that people don't like. I don't understand why Wendla always seems to overpower Melchior in the Word of Your Body. Christy sounds really nice, but I could hardly hear Jake at all. I definitely liked Krista as Martha. When she's telling her secret her voice is softer and more scared than Sarah's which is louder and harsher. Also I loved her voice in Dark I Know Well, I don't actually like Sarah in this song usually but I really loved Krista's pitch. The only problem was that when Martha and Ilse sing together I can mostly only hear Steffi.
I really didn't like the beating scene. I never do, but I feel like Jake didn't help at all.
The failed scene/And Then There Were None were just okay for me, like I said. I don't like Blake. Mirror Blue Night and I Believe were both fiiine. I didn't like how Jake talked during I Believe, his "don't be scared." seemed like a harsh command and his "what?" made it seem like he just wanted her to shut up and let him do his thing.
In my mind Claire's Thea was so much better than Kimiko's. Her Thea seemed truly like a young girl with a crush as did Krista's Martha in My Junk. Gabby as Anna is really painful, even just listening. The way she says her lines isn't like the sweet friend that Anna is set as, but instead a snobby girl. The way she's talking about "decorating the entire sanctuary in orchids and chrysanthemums" and "i hope your mama approves of the man I marry" makes it seem like Wendla's uncool for not being able to go to the wedding like all the others. And her singing in My Junk is just not so good either.
I think Steffi sings Blue Wind quite beautifully, but her acting with Moritz is just not good. She plays Ilse in a way that seems crazy.
Left Behind sounds fine, but a little too high for Jake. As odd as it may sound, I found Totally Fucked a little "meh." Definitely could use more spark or something.
I find both Andy and Ben to be very overrated. I don't like either of their singing voices and I don't think there's anything spectacular about their acting.
Christy's Whispering was pretty, but I think her part in Those You've Known is even better. It's a pity that she was doing it with Blake and Jake because they brought her down. If I could have a time machine and go back to Toronto and get Blake to call out and have Lucas go on, I think that could have sounded quite excellent.
Steffi started out her Purple Summer solo beautifully, then she got a little weaker, and at the end of her part she strengthened up and sounded pretty again.
Song of Purple Summer sounded truly wonderful, the harmonies are gorgeous.

See you tomorrow!