Spring Awakening: The Newest Thing on Broadway

When my friend wanted to go see Spring Awakening the only thing I knew was that it took place in Germany in the 1890s. I briefly looked online and was excited to see someone I'd worked with a couple years ago on a show was in it. Knowing only that, I decided to see it, and am so glad I did.

Entering the theatre I was immediately reminded of Rent, only the hangings on the wall and the design on the floor made for a more creative and interesting set. The musicians sat behind the set, and there were seats for audience members on the stage where the wings would normally be. The play began with the song "Mama Who Bore Me" with one actress who is joined by most of the females in the show. The voices on each young person are amazingly seasoned for their age, and each actor seems to put his or her entire being into the performance. The guys follow up with another song about growing up that is more upbeat and makes you realize this is no ordinary musical. The show continues in a rock concert meets experimental theatre meets the 1800s.

The acting is very real, unlike the more stylized acting of commercial Broadway shows. And the musical is more reminiscent of experimental theatre, which makes it probably the most original musical on Broadway right now. The people in this play are not just singers who try and act, but they are actors, singers, and even dancers. The choreography is simple, yet so deliberate. Even the song "Totally F*****" which is choreographed to be like kids moshing at a rock concert looked aesthetically pleasing. The staging was beautifully done and suited the bare stage very well. The old fashioned earthy clothing works well and reminds you that though you see a person singing with a microphone under concert lighting this is a play. The use of actors in the audience and audience sitting amongst the actors actually works and helps bridge the gap between the modern world and the 1890s.

The songs themselves are a bridge between the past and present. The plot is timeless and the lyrics only emphasize that by bringing to life the feelings of each character. The emotions these kids have in 1891 are the same emotions kids today experience while growing up. The songs are very poetic and with the careful staging we are able to really grasp what each character is feeling. I was almost surprised that such a play was actually written over 100 years ago because the plot seemed so relevant.

The play is about a girl who grows up protected by her mother. The girls and boys go to separate schools and rarely interact with one another now that they are growing up. The parent's attempt to shelter their children, but in the end only do them harm. I found the theme extremely relevant to my life and could name people I knew that were like every character in the play. I found it incredible that the story was practically the story of a girl I knew as a teenager. Though I didn't want to I began reliving moments of my life I didn't want to remember, and I believe that is exactly the intent of the creators.
There are some sad and shocking moments in the story. Be prepared for just about everything imaginable, sex, suicide, masturbation, violence, and love. Yet each shocking situation is portrayed with such beauty through the music, lyrics, and staging that it is in no way distasteful.

Spring Awakening is an awakening, I believe of a new type of musical theatre. It is an awakening of the past to the present. An awakening of life and its beauty. I believe in Spring Awakening and I believe anyone who wants his or her senses to be awakened should see it.