Spring Awakening: A Review. Of Sorts.

There is a currently an infomercial on my TV trying to sell me a be-dazzler (bedazzler? beadazzler?). I don't know what I think of that.

So, I went to see Spring Awakening (again) today. It is, officially, my favorite show currently on Broadway. Also, I have a gigantic school girl crush on one of the leads, John Gallagher Jr. (pictured below).

What is it about the show that I find so attractive? Not sure. There is, of course, the youthful attractiveness of the cast (have I mentioned John Gallagher Jr.): a friendly cast fully aware of how lucky they are, in love with the idea of having fans and being in a hip new musical, and normal enough to be starstruck when they heard Edward Norton was in the audience today. There is the music: the awesome score by Duncan Shiek (he of 'Barely Breathing' fame) and the beautiful lyrics of Steven Sater. All the ingredients of the show- cast, writing, staging, lighting- combine to create an exciting, near breath-taking experience. The energy in the theater is palpable. It's a beautiful thing.

But can I get behind the theme? Well, let's see...

A woman sitting behind me and my roommate, hearing us gush during intermission, tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me? I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. How old are you? I can't tell."

Now, despite the way I feel about older adults being able to fling around the 'how old are you' question to younger adults without it being considered rude, I tried not to be offended. After all, I look younger than 24, and here I was practically salivating over the show, like a teeny bopper over pop stars.

Me: How old am I?

Lady: You're young, right? You're a kid?

Me: Well, I'm 24.
Lady: So, a kid.

This woman, who knows people who write for Broadway and, by default, everything else, wanted to discuss the appeal that Spring Awakening holds for young people. While said Lady is glad that Broadway is attracting a younger crowd with this musical (the line critics used about my age group and RENT is now being applied to a younger age group), she doesn't understand said attraction. She asked my roommate and I if we'd liked any other musicals we'd seen lately, her tone implying we couldn't possibly enjoy/understand Broadway, being so young. The answer: yes, everything except Grey Gardens. The unspoken answer: I've been enjoying Broadway shows (on tour, at least), since I was twelve. The Lady went on to explain to us (thanks, Lady) that the themes of Spring Awakening were irrelevant to our lives/age group/century/sexuality.

I discuss theme a lot, being a candidate for a higher degree in English Lit. In fact, I had to read some interpretation of Wedekind's original Spring Awakening for my Modern Drama class two weeks ago. I know how to discuss theme and meaning. And I told this woman that, to a generation trying to figure out society and our place in it, Spring Awakening is still very relevant. While sex is not discouraged in the same way as it was in late 19th century Germany, we still are instilled with a deep sense of shame where sex is concerned. We are in no way as sexually liberated as many of us would like to believe (a fact that was reinforced when this woman asked me if perhaps I suffered from 'too many options'). Also, sexuality is just one issue of personal freedom. Our personal freedoms are at stake every day. And, if anyone thinks we, the human race (or, hey, even we, the viewers of Broadway shows), are sexually free, they need only look at laws concerning homosexual marriage, schools that teach abstinence only, attempts to repeal Roe vs. Wade or any other pieces of scary, scary evidence to the contrary.

I was dismissed again and again. I was told that, really, I am just attracted to the loud rock music, extreme emotion, and pretty sparkily things (see below: John Gallagher Jr.).

And, I admit, those things...rock. Really rock. But, if you think the themes of an old German play can't resonate today, you don't know anything about the endurance of literature. That's all I'm saying.

That's right, you, lady. John Gallagher Jr. is pointing you out in a derogatory and insulting manner.

Anyway, this play coupled with Sondheim's Company, currently playing at the Barrymore, provides this lovely set of bookends of existential philosophy in a Broadway season that is mostly, though not all, fluff. How do we deal with the loneliness, the probable meaningless of life? Company suggests forming relationships so at least you needn't be entirely alone. Spring Awakening isn't sure what the cure is- but it starts with children and education. Not a bad theme at all.

Also, it's entertaining and full of cute boys.