Teenage sex and broken hearts, ‘Spring Awakening’ explores the bitch of living
SuppliedSpring Awakening
Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Directed by Linette Smith
Starring Damon Pitcher, Cassie James, Mark Sinogco, Aemelia Moser
Scona Stage (10450 72 Avenue)
Now until Nov 6, 8pm
Tickets $25 (via Tix on the Square)
The perfect blend of rock anthems, haunting ballads and edgy subject matter, Spring Awakening takes audiences on an exceptional journey into the depths of growing up.
From October 31st to November 6th, rock musical Spring Awakening breaks out on the stage at Strathcona High School. Mounted by Strathcona’s Alumni Company and directed by Linette Smith, the show explores themes of love, loss, and truth. Set in 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the tragic tale of a group of teenagers who attempt to navigate sex and desire in a repressive society.
The lights go dark, a pale spotlight appears, revealing a girl all dressed in white. She is Wendla Bergmann, played by Cassie James, singing “Mama Who Bore Me,” as she mourns her mother’s failure to provide her with the necessary education about love and life. James’ vocals are powerful and defiant, an attitude demonstrated by her peers throughout the show. Wendla is dissatisfied with the stories her mother uses to explain love and sex to her, and her mother’s refusal to provide a satisfactory explanation only makes her more curious.
This dissatisfaction is felt by the other teenagers in the show, especially Melchior Gabor (Damon Pitcher) whose intelligence and knowledge pushes him to challenge all he’s ever been taught. He influences and teaches his friends, feeding their desire and curiosity. This will drive them to explore a world they have no real knowledge of.
Smith’s choreography guides this innocent exploration, especially in the song “Word of Your Body” in which Wendla and Melchior perform an innocent mating dance, barely touching as they move seamlessly and in sync; perfectly representing the first pulls of attraction.
Where Act One bursts with defiance, sex and teenage abandon, Act Two is marked by darkness, loss and heartbreak. Dark secrets come out of the woodwork, and the naive teenagers increasingly become jaded. In this act, the characters must face the consequences of the blinded life they lead. The story plays out mostly in the shadows, with a noticeable chill falling over the audience. Despite the darkness, the show ends on a hopeful note, reminding us there’s always light to be found.
The story is further elevated by the well-designed audio and light effects. Ramps at each end of the stage are scribbled with equations and anatomical drawings, representing the slippery slope of education the characters must navigate. The show is carefully thought out and every detail is significant, whether it’s the repeated action of stroking one’s chest, or the chalk the characters drag across the stage.
Despite its fair share of scandalous acts, at its core, Spring Awakening is heartbreakingly sad. The show is about challenging what you’ve accepted as the truth, as well as the painful experience of growing up. It takes you through painful exploration, that’s honest and raw, and awakens something within you.
