Spring Awakening
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Cititour.com Review
Propelled by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s eclectic pop-rock score, one of the best to emerge in theater in the 21st century, a fresh-faced cast of youngsters (most making their Broadway debuts), and the shockingly still-timely message of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play, the Deaf West Theatre’s production of the musical “Spring Awakening,” now at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, proves more-than-worthy of reviving, even if its prior (and in my opinion, superior) Broadway incarnation closed less than a decade ago. And those experiencing the show for the first time are likely to be mesmerized!
In addition to mixing the use of speaking and hearing-impaired performers, some of whom team up to play the same role, director Michael Arden has created an often innovative staging on Dane Laffrey’s vast set. Still, not all of Arden’s ideas are spelled out: a pre-show “prologue” in which the young actors emerge in underclothes and slowly don costumes can be seen as the children getting ready for school, or merely an actor’s exercise; while the show’s admittedly gorgeous final scene, set to the beautiful “Song of Purple Summer,” appears open to various interpretations.
Moreover, while Arden creates some truly beautiful stage pictures, at other moments, the enterprise simply feels overpopulated. Similarly, Spencer Liff’s clever choreography stunningly incorporates ASL (American Sign Language) as well as a wide vocabulary of dance, but ultimately isn’t quite as groundbreaking as Bill T. Jones’ movement for the original.
Sadly, the story remains all too-modern as the hyper-intelligent Melchior Gabor (the incredibly charismatic, strong-voiced, and teen idol-looking Austin McKenzie) ignores the tenets of his repressed society, sharing his knowledge of sex to his more innocent school classmates, notably love interest Wendla Bergmann (the incredibly lovely Sandra Mae Frank and the pure-voiced Katie Boeck) and unhappy best friend Moritz (the properly fidgety Daniel N. Durant and singer/guitarist Alex Boniello, who seems to be practically channeling Billie Jo Armstrong). Tragic results ensue (perhaps predictably), reminding us of the need for education and acceptance of those with different beliefs.
A fine actor himself, Arden unsurprisingly gets strong performances from his entire cast. In addition to McKenzie and Frank, the standouts are Andy Mientus, who is deliciously vain as preening homosexual Hanschel; his former “Smash” co-star Krysta Rodriguez, who brings both humor and pathos to the small but significant role of runaway Ilse; and former “Glee Project” contestant Ali Stroker, who makes a strong impression by her mere (wheelchair-bound) presence as Anna.
Best of all, though, are Emmy winner Camryn Manheim and Patrick Page, who seamlessly segue from toughness to tenderness in a variety of adult roles. Unlike the original production, though, there are two other adults onstage: Oscar winner Marlee Matlin and Theatre World Award winner Russell Harvard. Unfortunately, these mega-talents are underused, as they’re given smaller roles to play and are voiced by Manheim and Page, respectively, lessening the impact they could make.
Even with a few missteps though, this production is worth every second of your time, if just to take in the glorious songs – “Mama Who Bore Me,” “The Bitch of Living,” “The Dark I Know Well,” “Left Behind,” “Whispering” -- which express these characters’ emotions in a language that demands to be heard, and one suspects for those who can’t hear it, is nonetheless deeply felt. Even if you don’t do sadness, make sure you do “Spring Awakening.”
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://www.springawakeningthemusical.com
Cast
Robert Ariza, Miles Barbee, Katie Boeck, Alex Boniello, Joshua Castille, Lizzy Cuesta, Daniel N. Durant, Treshelle Edmond, Sandra Mae Frank, Kathryn Gallagher, Sean Grandillo, Elizabeth Greene, Russell Harvard, Amelia Hensley, Van Hughes, Lauren Luiz, Camryn Manheim, Daniel Marmion, Marlee Matlin, Austin P. McKenzie, Andy Mientus, Patrick Page, Ren, Krysta Rodriguez, Daniel David Stewart, Ali Stroker, Alexandra Winter, Alex Wyse
Open/Close Dates
Opening 9/27/2015
Closing 1/24/2016
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 9/8/2015
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
877-250-2929
Theatre Info
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
256 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
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