triumphant theatre
Spring Awakening at ZACH: Repressed sexuality set against foot-stomping rock
Nov 4, 2011 | 10:00 am
Spring Awakening at ZACH Theatre.Photo by Kirk R Tuck
Melchior played by Johnny Newcomb.Photo by Kirk R Tuck
The girls from Spring Awakening.Photo by Kirk R Tuck
Spring Awakening at ZACH TheatrePhoto by Kirk R Tuck
Travis Cornett, Glenn Britton, Jordan Barron and Max Green.Photo by Kirk R Tuck
I must make a full disclosure before I begin talking about ZACH Theatre's production of Spring Awakening: I saw the musical for the first time on Broadway, about four years ago. It blew me away: the energy, the story line, the performances and mostly the music. So much so, that I purchased an original soundtrack CD upon leaving the theatre—something I have only done about four times in my life.
So my previous experience with Spring Awakening left my expectations high, although I tamped them down accordingly for the local production. This isn't Broadway, ya'll.
But I was surprised, very pleasantly so, by ZACH's version of the Tony Award-winning rock musical. Both the energy and the voices were very nearly the same levels as the New York performance I saw. It was a smaller, scaled-down experience—but no less enjoyable.
Spring Awakening explores the intimate journey from adolescence to adulthood with unforgettable poignancy and passion, using the book and lyrics of Steven Sater and the music of Duncan Sheik. It covers angst-ridden topics ranging from burgeoning teenage sexuality, sexual abuse and homosexuality to school failure, expulsion and suicide. The setting is repressive Germany in the 1800s, with the clothing and morals of that place in time. In fact, it's based on a controversial German play written by Frank Wedekind in 1892. Yet the period setting and dialogue is completely juxtaposed with the music, which is modern and raw—songs include "The Bitch of Living" and "Totally Fucked," for example.
Director Michael Baron says, "I wanted the scenes to be clearly in the period but still enable the rock show to burst through. I have worked with the cast, many of whom are still teenagers themselves, to create a sense of trust and ownership of the material."
This sweeps the audience back and forth, between contemporary society and 19th century Europe. And it's in this space that you begin to realize, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The struggles that the teenage characters go through on their journey to adulthood are the same struggles that kids go through today. The issues are completely relevant but also mature and frank—the first act ends with a very realistic sex scene that may leave viewers uncomfortable. But that's sort of the point, to get beyond our comfort level as a society to address what's really going on.
"I wish I could say as people we are evolving," Barron says, "but deep down I think when we see works like Spring Awakening there is evidence that we are just reliving the same trials over again that have been experienced for generations."
And did I mention the music? It's thumping, often accompanied by stomping and with voices that are filled with anger and confusion. It makes you want to leap out of your seat in places. The performances of Jordan Barron, Johnny Newcomb and Sara Burke in the main roles of Moritz, Melchior and Wendla are vibrant and haunting, especially when they sing of lost friendship and love.
“Spring Awakening is a musical about intimacy,” says Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley. “Creating this work in our intimate space will make the work feel fresh again, like when I first experienced it in a former church in downtown Manhattan with 150 audience members." When he first saw the show in New York, Steakley was seated directly behind Stephen Sondheim. "He looked to be having the best time, which enhanced the new discovery feeling of this show when it first emerged."
ZACH's production is choreographed by Andrea Beckham from the UT dance faculty. "This show requires a non-traditional modern approach, and I have so admired Andrea’s work as a dancer and choreographer with Sharir + Bustamante Danceworks," says Steakley.
It's certainly non-traditional, but ultimately tells the story of the triumph of love and courage over shame and fear.
---
Spring Awakening is playing through November 13 on ZACH's Kleberg Stage. Tickets are $25-60, with $18 tickets available to students one hour before curtain time. For more information or tickets, visit the ZACH Theatre website.
