[NEohioPAL] Berko review: SPRING AWAKENING (Playhouse Square)

[Roy Berko]

Explosive,
compelling ‘SPRING AWAKENING’ rocks The Palace
 
Roy Berko
 
(Member,
American Theatre Critics Association)
 
--THE TIMES
NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain
County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times  
 
--coolcleveland.com—
 
‘SPRING
AWAKENING,’ which is now appearing on the Palace Theatre stage  as part of the Broadway series, isn’t a
traditional musical.  It isn’t
filled with the usual romanticism so often found on Broadway.  Instead, it explores the tortured inner
lives of adolescents in 19th century Germany.  And, in spite of the setting, it’s as
modern as today! The problems are the same, the issues are the same, the angst
is the same.
 
The
eight-time Tony winner, visually and emotionally probes into the coming of age,
the shattering transformation that takes place as children become physical
adults and have to face a world of mixed messages.  
 
It explores
messages such as sex is not something to be discussed, adults rule the world
and make decisions which can be destructive, God’s spokespersons interpret what
is right and wrong. often with horrible results, and parents sometimes share
misinformation with teens, if they share any information at all.  Life is full of potholes, many of which
are not of the teen’s doing.
 
The musical
is based on an 1891 play by Frank Wedekind that was so controversial that it was not
produced for almost 15 years after its publication.   It may never have seen the light of day if not for the
early 20th century writings of psychologist Sigmund Freud,
especially his ‘INTERPRETATION OF DREAMS.’
 
The alt-rock (folk-infused
rock score) by Duncan Sheik is forceful, exciting and revealing.   Steven Sater’s lyrics paint vivid pictures.  The combination fits a play which has masturbation, sex acts,
abortion, rape and suicide visible on
stage.  These images and actions
are absolutely necessary to make the ideas clear.
 
There will be
some in the audience who are put off by the musical’s vividness.  Some will not come when they hear of
the sights.  Too bad.  These are probably the people the
script and lyrics are speaking to and about.  
 
Michael
Mayer’s creative directing makes the entire production shimmer with
emotion.   The characters
speak directly to the audience to express their motivations and desires.  Using the concept of alienation, the
staging, which is done on a setless stage, with light fixtures in full view, is
right in the face of the viewer…no hiding behind sets and façade here.  To add to the intimacy, some of the
audience were seated in bleachers on stage, adding voyeur effect.
 
The touring
cast is excellent.  Especially
exciting is Blake Bashoff, portraying the conflicted Moritz, a part he
performed on Broadway.  His “The
Bitch of Living” stopped the show.  Perry Sherman, who played Melchior, the intellectual challenger of
traditional belief systems, performed the role on opening night, and was also
in the Broadway cast.  His “Totally
Fucked” was the dynamic highpoint of the production.  The duo’s rendition of “Those You Know,” which was sung with
Christy Altomare, was tender and beautifully performed.  The rest of the cast was equally
impressive.
 
Watching
Clevelander Jared Stein, who conducted the on-stage band, was an experience in
and of itself.  He is an integral
and exciting part of the staging and the band rocked!
 
CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT:  ‘SPRING AWAKENING’ celebrates the journey from youth to
adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will not soon
forget.   The touring
production will hold your attention, challenge your values, and keep you
entranced!   This is a MUST
see!
 
Tickets, for
the show that runs through the 15th can be ordered by calling 216-241-6000 or
going to www.playhousesquare.org.
 
 
 Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)