Does Jake Epstein sing with conviction, according to Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune?
I have issues, frankly, with both of the touring leads. Jake Epstein (known for the TV show “Degrassi: The Next Generation”) has a lovely voice, but his singing lacks dramatic bite. He’s one of those actors who tends to reside in his own handsome bubble, instead of connecting, fully and spontaneously, to the whole. His Melchior and Christy Altomare’s overly bland Wendla don’t generate enough sexual heat. Altomare is an extraordinary singer, but that’s only part of the job. The pair have their moments, but also a zoned-out quality that makes you want to jump onstage and remind them that the stakes here include life, love and death. Sources: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/stage/chi-0806-spring-awakening-ovnaug06,0,7327740.
Below is a further commentary from Jones: “He’s one of those actors who tends to reside in his own handsome bubble, instead of connecting, fully and spontaneously, to the whole. His Melchior and Christy Altomare’s overly bland Wendla don’t generate enough sexual heat. Altomare is an extraordinary singer, but that’s only part of the job. The pair have their moments, but also a zoned-out quality that makes you want to jump onstage and remind them that the stakes here include life, love and death.” Full article at the link below: Sources: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/stage/chi-0806-spring-awakening-ovnaug06,0,7327740.