We’ve had a “spring awakening” in Northeast Ohio this February. And the same can be said for the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood as it presents the Tony award winning musical Spring Awakening. I can honestly say that this show exceeded my expectations. And I highly recommend it.
Spring Awakening is a modern rock musical set in late 19th Century Germany. And the great contrast between the 1800’s “Old World” mentality and the present day musical score makes for a very interesting experience. The principal themes of Spring Awakening are those of the German youth “awakening” to their sexuality and the adults who try to shield them from it. But be aware that Spring Awakening does contain some very harsh language, nudity, and adult themes, and it is a show for mature audiences.
Based upon the controversial 1892 play by German playwright Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening is considered a seminal work in the modern history of theatre. Frequently banned, the play explores the often taboo themes of masturbation, homosexuality, rape, child abuse, abortion, and suicide. These themes carry over into the musical adaptation by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik.
Spring Awakening has received critical praise since its 2006 Broadway opening. The show was nominated for eleven 2007 Tony Awards, winning eight, including Best Musical. It won four 2007 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical. And in 2010, Spring Awakening won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in London’s West End.
Spring Awakening is directed by the exceptional Victoria Bussert and produced in collaboration with the Baldwin-Wallace College Musical Theater Program. Ms. Bussert was the director behind Baldwin-Wallace’s superb rendering of Rent (in repertory with La Bohème) last season and this season’s spectacular Cabaret at Great Lakes Theater, among many years of other great productions around the country. This May, Ms. Bussert will direct Great Lakes Theater’s much anticipated Sondheim on Sondheim.
Up next at the Beck Center for the Arts is The Velocity of Autumn (March 23 – April 29) and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (May 25 – July 1) in the Studio Theater. And Legally Blonde: The Musical will close the 2011-2012 season (July 6 – August 12) on the Mackey Main Stage. Be sure to secure your seats for these much anticipated productions. And check out the Beck Center’s Flex Passes, a convenient way to enjoy multiple performances, and a great savings, too.
The Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Convenient, free on-site parking is available. For information on showtimes, pricing, and future productions, please visit the Beck Center’s website at www.beckcenter.org.
– Christopher S. Musselman
