SPRING AWAKENING
IGNITE THEATRE @
Aurora Fox Arts
Left to right: Brooke Singer and Jack Thomas
“Spring Awakening” is the
Tony Award winning hit rock musical that’s based upon the 1892 play by German
playwright Frank Wedekind. This playwright’s controversial play struck out at
the hypocrisy of German parents, teachers and churchmen for not teaching their
children and students about sex. Wedekind saw this omission to be the cause of many
societal horrors such as child abuse, abortion and suicide.
With music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater, the rock
musical based upon Wedekind’s play communicates how little things have changed in
the interim.
It’s a handsome production that’s well cast, well acted, well sung and
mostly well directed.
Brooke Singer is outstanding
as Wendla! Chris Russell is a
knockout as Moritz. Jack Thomas is a
superb Melchior.
The show is directed superbly for the most part. However… this reviewer
took issue with a few things.
One could only wish that there might have been a way to mike the show
without the use of hand held microphones.
The adults in the show portrayed by Andy
Anderson and Suzanne Nepi are directed
to be serious when in parental roles which works superbly. Unfortunately these
two very fine actors are directed to give a stylized clownish characterization
leaning into caricature in the roles of teacher and priest. It is this
reviewer’s not so humble opinion that these characters need to be seen in a
serious dramatic light for the play to succeed in making us feel the full impact of the central issue: Ignorance kills.
The turning on of the house
lights at key moments in the production was also unfortunate. It caused one to
be taken out of the world of the play momentarily and broke the spell, which
Ms. Osatinski and her cast had otherwise succeeded in weaving. Other than that
one has only high praise for Amy Osatinski’s
direction.
The use of the
three video screens at the rear of the playing space added a poetic quality
that enhanced the production.
Cameron Turner’s raging choreography works powerfully well.
If not perfect , there is much to recommend in this risky
rock musical with a message that needs to be driven home again and again.
Director Osatinski and cast drive home the play’s essence
eloquently.
It is: Sex Education needs to be given a very high priority
on the roster of every school’s curriculum.
See it!
WHEN
August 3 @ 7:30pm –
Opening Night
August 4 @
7:30pm
August 5 @
2:30pm
August 6 @ 7:30pm –
Industry Night
August
10 @ 7:30pm
August 11 @ 7:30pm
August 12 @ 2:30pm
August 17 @ 7:30pm
August 18 @ 7:30pm
August 19 @ 2:30pm
August 24 @ 7:30pm
August 25 @ 7:30pm
August 26 @ 2:30pm
WHERE
Aurora Fox Arts Center
– Main Stage
9900 E. Colfax Ave
Aurora, CO 80010
TICKETS
Adults: $25
Students: $18
Groups: $22
BOX OFFICE
Clearly you are unfamiliar with the show, as every North American production of "Spring Awakening" (including the Broadway and touring companies) have thus far been performed with hand mics.
ReplyDeleteDear lowes1630,
ReplyDeleteI didn't care for the mics on tour either.
Best,
David