Springsteen on Broadway

It is not a show, it is like reading a 500 page novel which attracts you so much that you forget to sleep in order to read another chapter. Springsteen undoubtfully one of the most important american artists of all time, tells the epic story of the second half of 20th century in this touching, moody, expansive melodic show; so lay on your couch, and take a ride in time with music; and thank to universe that we are humans and we have artists like him who define their eras

Springsteen, as a songwriter and author is carefully constructive with words, sentences, ideas, characters, consequences, and stories. His spoken content, when colored by instrumental piano or guitar musical accompaniment, elevates the moving and poetic to perfection. The songs are chosen for this audience as opposed to the arenas, and weave a story that while it is definitely all about Bruce, the kid who grows up to be a rock star, is also completely relatable to all because it's about mothers, fathers, family, fatherhood, purpose, and being American. I advise you to Listen carefully, pay attention to every word, every lyric, and every elicited emotion. This performance will resonate with me forever not just as a way to know Bruce's story, but to see the correlation to mine and everyone I know.

As a Jersey boy myself, I have been following Bruce Springsteen for several decades as my friends and I went down to the Jersey Shore for summer adventures over the years. We met Bruce on several occasions in Asbury Park before he became so big we could never have front row seats again. When he was young, he played his music as if he were older. Now that he is old, he plays his music as if he were younger. I liked his transition from hard rock and roll to folk rock. It was the opposite transition that Bob Dylan, another icon of folk, took in his later years. Dylan was vilified for his transition, but Springsteen makes the transition as smooth as silk. His comfort with acoustic guitar and piano seemed like he is actually relieved that he can play to a more intimate atmosphere with his audience. His rendition of Born in the USA gives us the real feeling behind the composition of that piece, which was misinterpreted by millions during his heyday. It was not a song of proud Americanism and patriotism, but a lamentation of a returning veteran from the Vietnam War; another event I attended when I was younger. This one was a lot more entertaining.

Springsteen On Broadway is two and a half hours of just Bruce (his wife, Patti Scialfa, makes a brief appearance) telling stories and playing music. It is NOT a concert and he plays only a few of his many 'hits.' Instead, Springsteen On Broadway is the story of a man who made his living performing the magic act of making spellbinding, story-based music. He uses the usual microphones you see at a musical performance instead of those used in the theatre and this establishes, immediately, that he is not an 'actor' but rather a performer who tells stories. In fact, he ignores the mics and often walks away from them so that his voice has no amplification and this makes his performance even more 'real.' Director Thom Zimny has done a masterful job of keeping the show moving, having unobtrusive stage hands bring out to Bruce various guitars and an harmonica.

Springsteen is more than his music. What other rock star could do this? The man is self made and did it the hard way. He is still unassuming, down to earth and sensitive.

Now we know where the sadness from behind the eyes came from.