Review: SPRING AWAKENING Defines Morals at Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater

After what can only be described as the worst week in history for Orlando, we are all healing and trying to find answers amid so much loss. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has been a gathering place and public memorial for people to gather and leave tokens of remembrance. Theater has always been a place to escape. Now more than ever, I think we all need some art to rest our weary hearts. One week after the tragic events, DayStar Theater Arts debuts SPRING AWAKENING at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater proving that Orlando is strong and will learn to move on despite heartbreak.

SPRING AWAKENING is full of teenage angst and demonstrates what happens when adults refuse to educate their children. And children refuse to listen. In particular, I was struck with realization when Moritz's parents refuse to accept him and he turns to violence as his answer. It's a sad reality that definitely resonates with many problems America faces today.

Danny Harris Kornfeld steals the show as Mortiz. One minute Kornfeld is the awkward outcast teenager plagued by sexual dreams, the next second he's the rebel rocking out in "The Bitch of Living" and "Don't Do Sadness." It is impressive to watch Kornfeld flip the switch between awkward Mortiz to broken Mortiz. He is a great actor. SPOILER ALERT: In most other SPRING AWAKENING productions that I've seen and read about, Mortiz commits suicide with a gun. Given very local current events, I give props to the Director and Kornfeld for choosing to edit this scene. The direction chosen was equally as effective and less traumatizing for a healing audience.

On the female side, Noa Carmel matches her character of Wendla's innocence. She is your typical ingenue and truly plays up the naivete required of the character. As a character, Wendla is just there. Things happen around her and she's not a true participant in the overall plot until she meets up with Melchior. Anton Häggblom as Melchior, who hails originally from Finland, is intense and passionate. It is easy to see why the girls love Melchior and the guys respect him. Häggblom has an amazing operatic voice. I can see him taking on classic roles like The Phantom or The Beast, but as Melchior there was too much classical and less rock. The relationship between Carmel's Wendla and Häggblom's Melchior comes easily and is best demonstrated as they vocally lure the audience into their intimacy with "The Word of Your Body."

The ensemble cast was also strong, they brought high energy when dancing and singing to the rock numbers. Since most of the cast is young, it is easy to believe that this musical is about teenagers. What was less believable were the German accents. Some characters maintained their accents throughout the show, while others didn't try. For those that tried, the accent became difficult to understand as it seemed forced. The ensemble excelled at the softer scenes that required more vocals. The haunting harmonies of "I Believe," helped take away the awkwardness of the on-stage sex moment.

Extra props to Lyle Moon and Wendy Starkand who played all the adult characters. While the character changes consisted of a subtle costume addition here and there, it was very easy to follow which character was on stage. The pair played a range of adult character from various parents to the conniving headmasters.

The Pugh Theater is a perfectly sized venue for this production. It is small enough, so that no matter where you sit, you can hear the musicians and singers. The stage is set with a wooden backdrop. Colored lights fade in and out between the gaps in the wood. The effect is beautiful. There are projections that helps set some scenes. In the beginning, a camera broadcasts a side view of the actor's faces as they sing. Though it was artistic, it was also distracting because it didn't add any value to the production. The live video projection was only for a few songs, so I rather would have not see that at all.

The overarching message of SPRING AWAKENING reminds me of the finale number "Children Will Listen" from INTO THE WOODS. Parents have such a profound affect on how kids grow up. SPRING AWAKENING proves that protecting children from the world is not the answer, but neither is letting them experience everything. The line is thin. At any moment, kids can to turn into angry misguided adults. As with most things, a healthy balance and a parenting relationship that is genuine and loving seems to be the best approach. Life skills through musicals.

Directed by Jacques Broquet, SPRING AWAKENING runs in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts now through June 26. Similar to the original stage production, there is a lot of adult language and some brief nudity. For tickets and more information Click Here.

Photo Credits: Dr. Phillips Center Memorial - Kimberly Moy; Spring Awakening - Chase Riner

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