STAGE VOICE/REVIEW: "SPRING AWAKENING" @ THE FOX

By COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER

           Much like “Rent,” the last rock musical to reenergized Broadway, “Spring Awakening” grabs you by the collar with anger and urgency; demanding the audience bear witness to the not-so-quiet melancholy of a young generation railing against the rigidity of repressive and provincial times.

            On Feb. 10, the improbable Broadway smash which won eight 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, transfixed the Fabulous Fox during its Gateway City debut which kicks off a two-week engagement.

            “Spring Awakening” is the story of teenage angst and based on the controversial 1891 Frank Wedekind play of the same name. Although set in the 19th century; the musical feels quite contemporary with its high tempo, electric score and haunting melodies by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, direction by Michael Mayer, choreography by Bill T. Jones and Book by Sater.

            Replete with adult subject matter including strong language and brief nudity, there’s little taboo that “Spring Awakening” doesn’t tackle—teen sex, suicide, homosexuality, masturbation, abortion, molestation and atheism—it’s all there in provocative glory.

            For the most part the set is an exposed brick façade which cages the cast. An unobtrusive band plays behind the actors and a handful of lucky audience member are seated on stage at either wing, presumably a part of the classroom. The cast, which boasts one fantastic voice after another, is quite young; a fact that is driven home by the fact that all of the older adult roles are played by the same two actors (Angela Reed and Henry Stram.)

            There are a lot of intertwining story lines at play in “Spring Awakening” and each unfolds with raw drama and some much needed comic relief: There’s the charmingly naive, Wendla and the anti-authoritarian, Melchior (Christy Altomare and Kyle Riabko), who discover young love and sex with all of its consequences; Moritz (Blake Bashoff), the loveable underachiever who flunks out of school and must face his father’s distain; Ilse and Martha (Steffi D. and Sarah Hunt), who deal with the quiet nightmare of abuse; and the seductive Hanschen (Andy Mientus), a beautiful young man who embraces his homosexuality and makes a play for fellow classmate, Ernst (Ben Moss).

            Bashoff, who reprises his Broadway role in the national tour, shines brightest on stage and is joined in stand-out performances by Altomare, Riabko, Hunt, Steffi D. and Mientus. The musical’s songs, which are enjoying play on IPods near and far, help propel Wedekind’s 1891 offering to a new level and the artful simplicity of “Spring Awakening’s” lighting sets unmistakable tones throughout.

            There is a poignant scene in Act II when the young ensemble sits on the steps right on top of the audience. They stare at the back of the house and sing in haunting melodies to someone—anyone who will listen. You find yourself wanting to gather them in your arms and tell them that everything will be all right—that if you can survive adolescence with your sanity and individuality intact, then half the battle has been won. For if the young are the heroes of “Spring Awakening,” then adults are the villain with their suffoccating mores and blinding fear of anything that might rock the boat.

            If there is one underlying message in “Spring Awakening,” it is listen to your children—nurture them and answer their questions—let them become individuals and then let them fly.

            Indeed, “Spring Awakening” is one hell of a ride; an emotional rollercoster that conjurs the memories and emotions of your inner teen.

 Curtain times for the U.S. Bank Broadway Series presentation of  “Spring Awakening” at the Fox Theatre (527 N. Grand) are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 15 at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m. There is also a weekday matinee on Thursday, February 19 at 1 p.m. For ticket information call MetroTix at 314/534-1111 or order online at www.metrotix.com. For more information visit www.fabulousfox.com

 You can email Colin Murphy at colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net