My first thought after leaving “Spring Awakening” was — how cool is it that this show came to Boston in the spring? When trees and flowers are just beginning to show signs of life?
My second thought — what the heck can I say about this show on my family-oriented Web site/ blog?
How do I talk about the profanity? The simulated sex? The brief nudity?
Well, Iguess I just did.
Sort of.
There’s a lot about “Spring Awakening” that I find hard to put into words. Some things though, are easy, like — this eight-time Tony winner is a brilliant show. Story is engrossing. Music is riveting. Cast is entrancing. Set is pure genius.
This modern rock musical is based on the 1891 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind.
“Spring Awakening” uses the language and dress of the 1890s, and combines it with some pretty modern rock and roll. It’s like Dickens with a “Rent” soundtrack. The Dickens part is the characters’ real world. The “Rent” part comes in when we hear their inner thoughts.
It’s pretty cool, on a lot of levels. And it was so amazing to see these kids go from proper little school children to shouting rockers with microphones. The transitions were brilliant.
The musical focuses on teens awakening to their own sexuality in a world that wants to repress it. It’s a story rooted in the 1890s, but could truly be set in any era.
The set of “Spring Awakening” is a functional “every room” — a solitary platform that can be a classroom, a romantic meadow or a creepy cemetery. Most of the cast remained on stage for the show — sitting in chairs off to the side until it was their time to shine.
The show was banned from performance for decades, mainly because it tends to push a lot of people’s buttons. It deals not only with sex and masturbation pretty openly, but also abuse, abortion and other hot issues.
While there is no doubt the show is racey, it’s not just for shock effect. “Spring Awakening” may ruffle some feathers, but in the end there are some great messages here about freedom, love and, yes even the consequences of our actions.
If you’ve seen the show, would love to hear what you think. If you want to see the show in Boston, click here.
