”
Spring Awakening
”
is a rock musical that opened on Broadway in 2006 and walked
away with eight Tony Awards, including best musical, best director
and best book. It is based on the controversial play by 19th
century German expressionist playwright Franz Wedekind, who was
considered outrageous for his treatment of the social mores of the
1800’s.
“Spring Awakening” is a rock musical that opened on Broadway in 2006 and walked away with eight Tony Awards, including best musical, best director and best book. It is based on the controversial play by 19th century German expressionist playwright Franz Wedekind, who was considered outrageous for his treatment of the social mores of the 1800’s. “Spring Awakening” was banned and lay in theatre purgatory until Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik set music and lyrics to the rewritten plot. Staying close to the Wedekind’s original story, “Spring Awakening” evolved.
Teen sexuality, abortion, molestation, suicide, masturbation, homosexuality, caning and death unfold with detailed clarity. The lot of the teens, their parents and teachers is harsh and depressing. There is the message of frustration, confusion and rushing hormones and testosterone. Director Michael Mayer moves actors from one aching moment to the next with smooth, seamless momentum that leaves nothing to the imagination.
Jake Epstein and Taylor Trench carry their roles of Melchoir and Moritz with conviction, reality and fine voices. They are supported by a talented cast that tells the story about the difficult teen life, living in a repressed, rigid society in a small provincial town in Germany in the 1890’s. Bill T. Jones’s choreography is edgy and really hits the bells and whistles of the moods of the moment.
The shock value, daunting plot and explicitness of the story line does not make
this an under-16 friendly offering.
Broadway San Jose, in association with Team San Jose, has picked up the ball from American Musical Theatre San Jose to bring award winning touring Broadway musicals with Nederlander presentations to San Jose. It all started last month with the rollicking “Spamalot.”
Opening Oct. 28 for five-day runs, “Spring Awakening” will be followed by “Riverdance” in December, “Avenue Q” in January of 2010 and “Legally Blond the Musical” in March. All are offered for subscription prices starting at $89 for the four shows and can be purchased online at www.broadwaysanjose.com or by calling (866) 395-2929. All play at the San Jose Center For the Performing Arts.
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‘Spring Awakening’
Where: San Jose Center For The Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose
From: Oct. 28 to Nov. 1
Tickets: $20-$75
Details: (866) 395-2929
or visit www.broadwaysanjose.com.
