Based on the German play of the same name, "Spring Awakening," is a musical focused around teenage sexuality and what it means to grow up. The original production went on to win many awards including 8 Tonys. Book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, the musical, which opened on Broadway in 2006, has inspired and touched lives all the way to its Deaf West Revival in 2015. "Spring Awakening" takes place in late-19th century Germany, sending its audience through a musical journey.
1. "Spring Awakening" takes leaps in tackling sexuality like no other production.
2. It addresses homosexuality in times when no one would have dared talked about it.
I promise this is the last kissing gif.
3. It displays how not knowing how to handle sexual desires can truly take over someone's mind.
4. And how learning about sexuality can...wait for it...awaken someone's mind as well.
5. The musical deals with teenage pregnancy.
6. But also how innocence and a mother's desire to protect her children can actually harm them through a lack of knowledge.
7. The male protagonist, Melchior, challenges authority and religion.
In a journal entry, he writes, "The trouble is: the terrible prerogative of the Parentocracy in Secondary Education. A world where teachers — like parents — view us as merely so much raw material for an obedient and productive society."
8. "The Deaf West" revival gave Melchior another reason to put pressure on traditional views by deciding to give him one hearing parent and one deaf parent.
9. There are challenges that all the deaf characters must face, forcing you to think about the deaf culture and how it's perceived in society.
How crazy is that?
10. Listen to the soundtrack. That alone will be inspirational.
(spoiler)
11. In the original production...
...when Moritz commits suicide, there is no gun shot. The way he kills himself wasn't what was important to them. In the revival, the power of silence is only magnetized by having a deaf actor on the stage, signing.
Right before he commits suicide, Moritz says, "So, what will I say? I’ll tell them all, the angels, ‘I got drunk in the snow! And sang. And played pirates.’ Yes, I’ll tell them, I’m ready now, I’ll be an angel. 10 minutes ago you could see the entire horizon. Now only the dusk, and the first few stars. So dark, So dark. So dark…"
12. Instead, the reason why he takes his own life is what matters.
13. And lastly, the show introduced me to Andy Mientus.
