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.