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Carroll
University’s “Spring Awakening” is a
standout production.
Photo by Robert Colletta |
WAUKESHA
- First off, I have to say that this is one of the best
productions I have ever seen on any stage, including the
professional theaters. Carroll University in its present
offering of “Spring Awakening” as part of its Summer
Repertory Program has reached the apex in all aspects of
the theater arts - music, acting, choreography and
overall impact.
Its
large ensemble of young theater artists, its amazing
assemblage of
musicians, and the skilled direction of Professor
Jennifer Dobby and her coterie of designers left me in
awe.
This
controversial musical opened on Broadway in 2006 and won
8 Tony Awards that year, including the one for best new
musical. It is based on a German play that was written
in 1890 in a very repressive Germany and was almost
completely banned. It still proves shocking to some
audiences who have problems addressing the whole issue
of human sexuality.
The
innocuous title is a bit deceiving, for it conjures up
sweet romancing, bouquets of spring daisies and one’s
first kiss. But this show deals with troubled
adolescents when puberty disrupts their lives, a reality
that the inadequacy of their sex education, the demand
for unquestioning obedience to parents and teachers, the
unbridgeable gap between generations, and the often
unrealistic expectations of society conflict them. It
even touches on physical and sexual abuse, two very
uncomfortable realities
The
show features 13 young performers and two actors who
effectively render all the adult roles (Laura Gray and
Jace Kaikuaana), but it focuses primarily on two young
couples - Wendla and Melchior, and Ilse and Moritz. All
four are terrific, but the two young men stand out a bit
more - Joshua Junig and Phillip Steenbekkers who both
have amazing acting and musical talents. Madeline Buchta
and Erin Ashenhurst are also impressive as the two
female leads.
Melchior
and Moritz attend the same strict prep school. Melchior
questions everything with confidence and boldness, while
poor Moritz is the academic and social misfit that
Melchior tries to protect. Neither is considered
acceptable, though Melchior’s mother is the rare adult
who offers some understanding. Moritz is unable to cope
with “The Dark I Know Well.” His moving “And Then
There Were None” and “I Don’t Do Sadness” were
both heartrending.
Wendla
is the beautiful, curious, naive young girl who is
looking for answers from her sexually-stifled mother.
She eventually finds her own answers. Ilse pushes
against the boundaries of her environment by forging out
on her own.
All
the raw and heightened emotions of adolescence are
evident here - their confusion, their idealism, their
anger, their dreams and their heartbreaks. Sometimes I
question our over-romanticizing of youth. It is often a
very challenging period for most.
Several
of the best songs - “The Word of Your Body,” “I
Believe” and “Song of Purple Summer” - are
thrilling to experience. Unlike some rock musicals,
there is a lot of variety in the repertory of this work.
I
highly recommend you support this compelling,
mesmerizing production. I was inspired and moved beyond
the ability of my words to capture it all.
AT A GLANCE
“Spring Awakening”
The
play runs again Friday and Saturday in the Otteson
Theatre at Carroll University, 100 N. East Ave.,
Waukesha. Tickets may be purchased at the door or
reserved by calling 262-524-7182.
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