SPRING AWAKENING Arrives in Cincinnati, Thru 1/24

One of the most powerful shows arrived in Cincinnati Tuesday night, and to me, it was a not to be missed event. Spring Awakening brings to light many social issues, such as teenage sexuality, homosexuality, abuse and suicide, yet while the show is emotionally-heavy, its interspersed with laughter and amazing songs as well.

Set in the 1890's provincial Germany, the show's style weaves creatively between the past and the modern. Each of the teenagers in the story is on the road to self-discovery, a theme as relevant today as it was in the past. Wendla (played perfectly by Christy Altomare) is overly protected by her parents and finds herself romantically entangled with the "radical" of the group, Melchior (Jake Epstein). Melchior causes waves when he challenges authority and also by the fact that he is an atheist.

Although the costuming and dialog are influenced by the 19th century setting, the stage and songs bring modernity into the show. The show also includes on stage seating, offering a rare experience to a few audience members (available for only $25 and for purchase in-person only at the Broadway Across America Box Office, downtown in the Mercantile Center at 120 East 4th Street).

One of the aspects of the show that I find most intriguing is the dynamic between the parents of Melchior and Wendla. Melchior's parents allow him total freedom - freedom to chose what to read, believing he is mature enough to know what is good for him. On the other side, Wendla's mother cannot even manage to tell her daughter to her face where babies come from. Neither style seems to be right as both children end up in trouble: Melchior is kicked out of school and sent to a reformatory when his father decides he's had enough freedom and when Wendla's troubles reach the climax, she painfully asks her mother, "Why didn't you just tell me everything?" I think this is something every parent today can relate to: how far is too far and how much is not enough?

For more information on Spring Awakening, visit www.springawakening.com.

Spring Awakening will play the Aronoff Center January 12-24, 2010: Tuesday-Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, and Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM. Tickets range in price from $22.50-$64.50 depending on the seat location and performance date. Tickets may be purchased from an authorized ticket agent online at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Cincinnati, in person at the Broadway Across America Box Office downtown in the Mercantile Center and the Aronoff Center Box Office or by phone at 1-800-982-2787.

 

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