Broadway Musical Review: Spring Awakening

The crowd rose to their feet with intense fervor and everlasting applause ensued: Welcome to The Orange County Performing Arts Center’s opening night of Broadway spectacular Spring Awakening.

Based off a banned 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening paints a groundbreaking story of teenage sexual discovery and the turbulences that follow, bringing social issues like abuse, suicide and homosexuality, to the forefront of discussion.

Though the play’s context takes place in conservative 19th century Germany, audience member Nichole Mendoza, 23, believes the themes have never remained more relevant. “I loved how even though it was written forever ago, it’s still applicable today. People still deal with the same things—how body, sex, religion, and lifestyles cross in regards to faith.”

Winner of eight Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Original Score, etc.), Spring Awakening’s modern, rock-inspired orchestration and musical prowess shifted seamlessly with the show’s quaint dialogue.

Under the age of 25, the cast was youthful and displayed charisma with exceptional vocal abilities.

Stand-out performances included “Totally Fucked” and closing number “The Song of Purple Summer,” which ended the show with an aura of unity.

Wildly entertaining and thought-provoking, Spring Awakening is part theatre, part rock concert – a fusion of everything a great musical should be.

Rating: A

You will love Spring Awakening if you are a fan of Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Queen, American Idol or Pirate Radio.

www.SpringAwakening.com

Tour Dates

Costa Mesa, CA
November 17-29

Denver, CO
December 1-13

Hershey, PA
January 5-10

Cincinnati, OH
January 12-24

Fort Myers, FL
January 26-31

Charlotte, NC
February 2-7

Rochester, NY
February 9-14

Schenectady, NY
February 16-21

Hartford, CT
February 23-28

Durham, NC
March 2-7

Atlanta, GA
March 9-14

Greenville, SC
March 16-21

Dallas, TX
March 23-April 4

Detroit, MI
April 4-May 9

Orlando, FL
May 18-23