Spring Awakening on Tour (Sarasota, Florida)

The 8-time-tony award winning musical, Spring Awakening (tour) finally made it's way to Sarasota, Florida yesterday (3/20/11) at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the house was packed! The show is based on the 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and the Indie Rock-inspired music by Duncan Sheik, Spring Awakening clearly is not your great grandmother's Broadway musical.

(source 1) Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind. It features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Set in late-19th century Germany, it concerns teenagers who are discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality. The original play was banned in Germany for a while due to its portrayal of abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide. In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score. Spring Awakening received eleven 2007 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Tonys for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor. The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards. (source 1 in the side in the "resources" section. credit to wikipedia)

I had only heard a couple of songs from this production until I saw it last light and I was blown away by the potency and power of the music and the show as a whole. I have to say this is going to become my new favorite. The performers portrayed their characters very well. Never once did I notice any of the actors breaking character, even if they were in the shadows, they stayed in character until they were offstage.

An article written by Jeffery Ellis on broadwayworld.com says everything I was going to say. So I will just link you to his review of the 2nd National tour of Spring Awakening.

I personally cannot compare this production to anything else I have seen or done. I am a huge fan of the classic Broadway Musicals but I think this was a great score and book. Although, I do not recommend this show for children but on the same token it can be a fun way to start the conversation with your kids on sex.