BWW Reviews: Deaf West's Dynamically Staged SPRING AWAKENING Returns Briefly to Annenberg

Spring Awakening/book & lyrics by Steven Sater/music by Duncan Sheik/based on the play by Frank Wedekind/directed by Michael Arden/Wallis Annenberg Theatre in the Bram Goldsmith Theater/through June 7 only

The play Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind, which was written in Germany in the late 19th century was censored for a time due to its frank portrayal of masturbation, abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide. Exposing the rocky sexual coming of age of a group of teenagers, its helter-skelter but life-affirming journey is again explored in the 2006 Tony Award winning musical of the same name Spring Awakening through folk based and alternative rock, and boasts some expertly staged storytelling, singing, choreography and exuberant performances at the Wallis Annenberg through June 7 only. This is a brief return of Deaf West's critically-acclaimed production from last fall 2014 directed by Michael Arden.

Sexual tension is set against provincial mores and standards, as parents and teachers in a small German town in the 1890s dictate, frustrate and smother conjecture, critical thinking or freedom of any kind amongst the youth. Discipline and shame are at the core, so it is any wonder that some children were so repressed they could not handle the consequences of even the slightest deviant behavior? They could either escape, rebel or play it cool. In the story there are examples of all three with the first two dominating the third. Through the centuries religious oppression has done so much harm to innumerable innocents in desperate need of patience and understanding. Our hearts go out to Melchior (Austin McKenzie) and Wendla (Sandra Mae Frank) whose earnest and unbridled protestations of love turn sour through the reactions and punishments of the establishment. Sympathy as well to Moritz (Daniel N. Durant) who misses the opportunities of love with Ilse (Krysta Rodriguez) and because of the stress of poor academics, sexual frustration and the attitude of uncaring parents is doomed to failure and devastation.

The cast is wonderful from top to bottom. McKenzie, Durant, Frank all shine, as do Hillary Baack/Natacha Roi and Daniel Marmion/Howie Seago essaying all the adults. Praise as well to Andy Mientus as Hanschen and the others in the ensemble for their splendid work. It is to be noted that some actors sign and others voice, so two actors cover most roles in a Deaf West production. The signing enhances the effect of a particular emotion in that moment. When Frank as Wendla looks in the mirror and Katie Boeck who plays her voice is looking in from the other side, it creates quite a riveting picture of one actor mirror-imaging the other. This is but one tiny example of the power of these dual performances in a Deaf West production.

Director Michael Arden brilliantly creates a breakneck pace, and choreography by Spencer Liff is stellar. Set design by Dane Laffrey fuses the school and the rock concert arena just right and his costumes are period perfect. Lighting design by Ben Stanton is dark and alternatingly glaring, doing justice to the bleak tragedy as well as to the ecstatic rock music staging. For those whose palate does not favor loud rock music, rest assured that the folk strains of Duncan Sheik's score are actually quite melodic and beautiful.

One thing that disappointed me in this production was the fact that, in spite of the dynamic performances and prolific staging, there is an overall coldness that comes across. I wasn't pulled in to the tragedies, as much as I have been in past productions. I understand that last fall's Deaf West production was done in a more intimate space. The Annenberg space by contrast is huge, and so the creative team had to open up the staging to the max, to fill the space. Arden's work, as well as that of Liff, is sensational, as are the actors, but opening up a work often diminishes emotional involvement. As you try to take in everything on that big stage, your focus naturally shifts and you end up losing something.

Still, this is a lovely presentation and should be seen!

http://www.thewallis.org/

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