Damn right the music is worse than Degrassi. There is no way Duncan Sheik could even come close to the brilliance that was Zit Remedy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nU2zvWsmMk

It was like a really flat combination of (A) High School Musical and (B) that super-awkward "maturation program" my elementary school hosted, where me and all the other fifth grade boys had to go sit in the school gymnasium with our dads and learn about B.O. and zits and boners.

Also, can someone please tell me what a "purple summer" is?

So does it make me lame that I loved it then? Laughed, cried, ordered the DVD from Amazon as soon as I got home!

I didn't conclude that. That's another way the show has been described, and I don't think it worked on that level either.

Apparently we disagree, Pete, although, all I really took from your comment was that you think I'm an idiot. I think there are probably loads of people out there who are still interested in seeing it who might benefit from hearing your thoughts on the show.

I'll change the song title, thanks for catching that.

I was originally offended by your review...then I saw the play. I reviewed it as well and linked back to your blog. Read mine here if you'd like: http://denisesaxon.blogspot.com/2008/10/sp…

i think seeing it with the original broadway award winning cast makes a huge difference. i saw it numerous times and it was amazing. they are all gone now and the new broadway cast just doesn't cut it as evidenced by the recent closing notice. the only two actors in the touring production who were also in the broadway cast for awhile are kyle and blake. and as good as they are they can't hold a whole show together.

i think seeing it with the original broadway award winning cast makes a huge difference. i saw it numerous times and it was amazing. they are all gone now and the new broadway cast just doesn't cut it as evidenced by the recent closing notice. the only two actors in the touring production who were also in the broadway cast for awhile are kyle and blake. and as good as they are they can't hold a whole show together.

Wow, I so don't agree. I was completely blown away, and I'm hardly a teenager. It's so much more sophisticated than the traditional American musical which needs to spell out every thing and is very linear...SA is poetry. The music is touching, haunting, beautiful and captures the energy, joy and tragedy of youth. I loved the purposeful juxtoposition of 19th century Germany with a modern rock score. It served to show that in over 100 years, things havn't really changed. It's not just about sex education, it's about communication and lack thereof between adults and teens and about the things that teenagers go through which is not talked about openly enough. Teen suicide is still very much an issue in this day and age. I realize it's not for all markets, but to disavow the brilliant work of this creative team and cast seems dismissive and half-assed.

I believe that what "Spring Awakening" has to say is new to every child turning into a teen. And, for adults, it's one of two things -- either a vivid reminder for us as we attempt to raise the next group of teens, or something that makes us deeply uncomfortable because we've spent the time since we turned 20 industriously trying to erase those years from our memory completely.

It was a well-written, beautifully acted, and complex work.
Spring Awakening addresses the damage that ignorance can do. A problem that still exists today, even with 'sex-ed'.
It seems that you find the problems of teenagers trivial and silly because you (possibly) once experienced them. But just because the situations in Spring Awakening make you roll your eyes and shift in your seat, doesn't mean that the message it's sending isn't important.
Duncan Sheik is a very talented composer,Steven Sater is a gifted writer, and Frank Wedekind had a once revolutionary idea.
Please don't overlook the strong points of Spring Awakening for your petty prejudices.
And next time, have some class, be on time or don't go.

Wow, it takes guts to disagree with every single major critic in almost every major newspaper (both in Portland and nationally) not to mention all those Tony and Drama Desk voters! It takes guts to stand up and admit that you really don't know what you're talking about. Congrats and keep on writing! Unfortunately, I won't be reading. We obviously have very different tastes. Everyone I know who saw it in Portland loved it.