Okay... Not to beat a dead horse <whinny>, nor engage in a "flame war", but where's the "constructive" criticism..? Or the objectivity for that matter..?? I'd actually enjoy reading a pithy shredding of a performance, but her diatribe amounts to a jaded potshot at what this critic admits just didn't resonate with her. Absolutely, everyone is entitled to an opinion, and this particular production elicits strong reactions from its audience, as any good art should. Frankly, my impressions after viewing the show initially weren't universally glowing, either; I didn't understand "what's with the hand-held microphones.? Is it really necessary with today's high-tech sound reinforcement and wireless systems?", until I understood the elements of Brechtian theater, and internal monologues that are being expressed. Equally, the partial nudity threw me off a little, but after a little thought, made total sense in the context, and therefore not gratuitous. Additionally, the seemingly profane use of the "F-bomb" in one of the aforementioned highlights of the second act... when viewed in context, there is simply no word to better express what is going on (and many of us can empathize, having lived the recent fallout of the recession in our beloved state, whether it be 401k hemorrhage, job downsizing, or plunging home values). My concern is that what has become an important cultural touchstone to a generation of disenfranchised youths, in an era of increasing teen suicide (4 of them in the last six months at one school in Palo Alto), may be dismissed by the Sacramento community due to a frankly idiotic review, no personal disrespect to Ms. Paulsen intended. The biggest disservice we could do to our adolescent generation, is to ignore their growing pains; maybe experiencing it "once was enough" for our author, but that's not the point, and indeed it is the very core message of this musical. A word to the wise... do your homework, read the parent's guide at the Spring Awakening website, and if you're still up to the challenge, see the show, better yet with your teens; it is very much worth the "hype".

There are those who get it, and those who don't. My condolences that you fall in the latter category. Granted, the touring cast may not be quite up to the bar-setting standard of the original B'way cast, but they do a great job. I saw the opening night at the Community Theater, as well as Thursday night's show, which seemed a bit stronger. I've now seen the show six times; any friends or guests that I've introduced to the show have been impressed and challenged by the story, the music and the staging. It's not for everybody... but having been raised seeing many major-league shows in NYC, this ranks amongst the best. It deserved every Tony it got. Ignore this tepid review, and don't miss this show.