‘Spring’time for Bobby.

Over the past week I have seen two pieces of entertainment that, while seemingly as different as can be, were similar in many ways. I never thought I would be writing a blog comparing the downfalls of the film “Bobby” and the musical “Spring Awakening” but here I go! The subject matter could not be more different, but when I left each respective theater I had the same feeling of unfulfilled expectations.

For those of you who have been reading the blog for a while, you may remember that I saw “Spring Awakening” Off-Broadway this summer. When I left that viewing I was excited by what I had seen but thought I needed a second viewing to digest it and really form an opinion. In its transfer to Broadway, the show has fixed many of its problems, left some the same, and created others. There is no denying that this is a strikingly energetic piece of musical theater. It, like “Rent” (the show it most resembles), mixes genres and brings a fresh rock score to a new audience. Also like “Rent,” this show has an incredible cast where standouts are difficult to choose because it is an ensemble piece where everyone gets a moment to shine. So how, in a show where the cast, the music and the design are so exciting, can I leave the theater a little disappointed?

Having seen it in two different places it brought up interesting ideas of what space can do for a show. The original run took place in a converted church in Chelsea that pulsed with raw energy that nearly shattered the stained glass windows. In a larger theater though, while the music is amplified to great effect, the energy dissipates a little quicker. Looking on the stage you can see that the designers have done their best to keep the feeling of the church intact down to the exposed brick walls. Still something just doesn’t gel about this manufactured setting.

I am always interested when I am in a show or creating a piece of work in getting an outside opinion. Being too close to a project can make it difficult to fix problems. The storytelling has become clearer in the transfer to Broadway (a new song and a clearer second act really help things along) but the biggest problem to me still is the choreography. This is a show that could do without having any choreography yet they insist on keeping this bizarre interpretive dance interspersed throughout the 2 hours. I love the juxtaposition of a rock score being used to tell a story based in 1890’s Germany but the choreography just hinders everything. The only numbers where it worked at all were “Bitch of Living” (which got prolonged applause) and “Totally Fucked” where the ensemble breaks into frantic movement at the end. I am amazed that nothing has been done about the rest because it was eliciting laughter from all around me last Friday.

Broadway of course means bigger, but bigger is not always better. The best moments come when the characters just stand there and sing and other moments that utilize trap doors (not available at the original theater) add a “cheesy musical theater” quality to the evening. I was disappointed to see, in my opinion, the strongest song in the show “Left Behind” beefed up by background singers instead of just letting the beautiful Jonathan Groff sing it by himself. The leading lady, Lea Michele is an undeniable star who brings to mind a young Idina Menzel. I thought at times the acting became unnecessarily over the top and I think the dramatic impact would be more powerful were things pulled back a bit by all. Overall the evening made me upset that directors sometimes think that simplicity means boring when to me the simplest moments were by far the most powerful.

Speaking of people thinking bigger meaning better, Emilio Estevez must have had that idea in his head when casting “Bobby,” a movie that seems to have been cast flipping through the pages of “Us Weekly.” Every shot reveals a new celebrity taking part in this overwrought biopic about the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

(Lohan vs. Stone in the battle of the "Bad Actresses Torn from the Gossip Rags Proving They Can ACT.")

NCSA failed me a bit in the history department so my knowledge of this tragedy was fairly limited. Sitting through two hours of this movie left me extremely depressed at the state of our nation today and brings up a powerful idea of how a single act of violence can alter the course of history. I enjoy the fact that the movie makes you think and prompts the question “what if?’ to go through your head but it really should have been better. The whole movie seems to be misguided and it is the actual footage and speeches of Kennedy that make the most impact. Listening to eloquent, articulate political speeches is beginning to look like a thing of the past. Why is it always the forward thinking liberals that have to get shot?! I say that lightheartedly of course….kind of.

In conclusion I would recommend “Spring Awakening” for its stellar cast and music despite its flaws. “Bobby” on the other hand can definitely be skipped, I would much rather have seen a biography instead. There’s a statement I never imagined typing.

Comments

[Jennifer]

i agree with you and your spring awakening review, m...the music rocks, can't wait for the recording coming out soon. there's something emotional that is missing from the show, i can't put my finger on it. but i'd watch the show again to hear the songs performed live.

i admit i have a teensy crush on john gallagher, i hope he gets a tony nod. and how i regret not watching it off-broadway!

matt, do you think this musical will be nominated for best musical this year? i'm not 100% sure...

[Anonymous]

Matt,
You are becoming quite the performing art critic! We do need a good, fresh, spontaneous articulate one, as the well established voices from the Times and Co. are becoming jaded and in some instances just plainly noisy. Still, we know that critique is often the subjective "rantings" of a particular mind with its particular colours (or spices....). I always enjoy reading your opinions on films, books, on life.... Because I come from a different culture and from a different time, I often find myself pondering on a few of your comments.
I hope that your teaching is going well. I am looking forward to reading about and seeing more of your Nutcracker.
Take good care of yourself.
Lili