“Spring Awakening”

[rating=5] “Coming of Age”! A tough topic to handle! Not only for most parents, in having to deal with their teenage children, but for the kids themselves. They get feelings that confuse them, and what they hear about is not what they have been told is actual. I am reminded of “The Fantastiks” and El Gallo explaining that “what seems pretty at night is not so in the day”. This also is true. In  the one musical play that truly explores experience, “Spring Awakening” with a book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Dunkin Sheik, we are taken back to Germany in the late 19th century. The story is based on an original work by Frank Wedekind that was banned immediately due to the subject matter. I am sure this is not a play that one would find at most high schools as their musical of the year. There are some who call this a “Chamber Piece” as it is an intimate story that works best in a space like Porchlight Theatre.

“Spring Awakening” tells and shows us the self-discoveries that teens find. They learn about love ! They learn about depression! They learn about suicide! They learn about shame! They learn about death! They learn about abortion! Not what one would call a typical musical, but one that digs deep into the mentality of the teens and the adults that choose not to tell them the truth about what their future might hold. Porchlight Music Theatre, over its years, has brought us other musicals that were not “the norm”, and by being daring, they have achieved some great things. many Jeff Awards for sure, and I must say, this is one that I am sure will hit great numbers of nominations.

I do not want to divulge to much as it would ruin the experience for you. I think this is one that you MUST put down on your “TO DO list”! This production is one of very few done as this is not a play for the masses. Or is it? How many of us truly had the “Birds and the Bees” explained to us? How many of us who are parents, spend time with our kids doing the same? I would venture to say, that the numbers are low because we were unsure of what to say and how much our kids already knew. The problem is, what they know, may not be the right information making this something to share with your teen-ager.

Directed to perfection by Brenda Didier ( who also handled the choreography) on an intimate stage, the show is primarily about three teens: Melchior ( Jack Decesare is magnificent), the girl with whom he is entranced ,Wendla (Maya Lou Hlava was born to do musical theater and it was as if this role was written with her in mind, wow!) and last , but certainly not least, Moritz ( the highly energetic Quinn Kelch). While these three characters are the “main” characters, the entire group of teens have stories. One of the sub stories is that of Hanschen (John Marshall Junior) and Ernst (Kelan M. Smith), who let their true feelings come out late in the second act. Another is about Lise (a dynamic Tiffany T. Taylor) who leaves school only to find ( as we remember from “The Fantastiks”) that what you find up ahead is not as pretty as it seems.

This is a strong ensemble piece featuring some young people whose names will become even more familiar as casting directors see their brilliant work.Ariana Burks, Isis Elizabethm Desiree Gonzalez, Ryan Michaels Hamman, Maddy Kelly, Drew Mitchell, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Kevin James Sievert and  Sydney Monet Swanson- all terrific. All of the “elders/adults” are handled by Mckinley Carter ( a Chicago treasure) and Michael Joseph Mitchell. They play many roles with just a switch of part of the costume, showing how talented they are.

On the tech side, there is not much of a set, but what was created by Christopher Rhoton works. When I last saw this show it was in Lincolnshire, where they redid the staging to not be in-the-round, but the size of the venue took away the intimacy that Porchlight was able to give us, making this production much stronger and more meaningful. The lighting (Patrick Chan) and sound (Matthew R. Chase) are perfect and the costumes ( Bill Morey) were amazing. Johnathan Berg-Einhorn handled the props and the intimacy choreography ( a strong end to the first act) was created by Kristina Fluty.

The band, under the direction of Justin Akira Kono (who is also the music director) was powerful, but at no time did they overpower the actors. Every word and every note was heard by all. This is not a play for everyone. There is even a song with a title that could turn off some potential audience members, it is called “Totally F***ed” and will astound you!

“Spring Awakening” will continue at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, located at 1016 N. Dearborn Street through June 2nd with performances as follows:

Thursdays: May 6th 8 p.m., May 13th  8 p.m., May 12th  1:30 p.m., May 26th  7 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. ( additional performance on May 22nd at 6:30 p.m.)

ADDED in JUNE Wednesday June 1st  1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 2nd 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets starts at $25 visit www.PorchlightMusicTheatre.org  or call 773-777-9884  Valet parking is available, street parking is mostly metered and zoned, so read the signs to be safe. Covid vac card and ID required and mask to be worn for entire show.

Run Time 2 hours and 25 minutes with one intermission

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Spring Awakening”.     This production is dedicated to Hollis Resnik, whose last performance                                                                                                                                                                                                                   was at Porchlight doing “Sunset Boulevard”