“Spring Awakening” has had two national touring casts pass
northern California’s portals in four years. First. San Francisco’s
“Best of Broadway” series and then San Jose’s “Broadway San Jose”
series. Now it has come to our own San Jose Rep.
“Spring Awakening” has had two national touring casts pass northern California’s portals in four years. First. San Francisco’s “Best of Broadway” series and then San Jose’s “Broadway San Jose” series. Now it has come to our own San Jose Rep.
The combination of San Jose Rep’s artistic director Rick Lombardo and way-out-there choreographer Sonya Tayeh – of “So You Think You Can Dance” distinction – brings a less dark, but just as edgy production. The blending of Lombardo’s sensitive direction and Tayeh’s ingenious chorography is smooth and interesting, and make this more enjoyable and less gloomy than previous offerings.
“Spring Awakening” is a rock musical that opened on Broadway in 2006 and walked away with eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Director and Best Book. Based on the controversial play by 19th century German expressionist playwright Franz Wedekind, who was considered outrageous for his treatment of the social mores of the 1800s, “Spring Awakening” was banned and lay in theatre purgatory until Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik set music and lyrics to the rewritten plot. Staying close to the Wedekind’s original story, “Spring Awakening” evolved.
Teen sexuality, abortion, molestation, suicide, masturbation, homosexuality, caning and death unfold with detailed clarity to a standing ovation. The plot of the teens, parents and teachers is harsh and disheartening. There is the message of frustration, confusion and rushing hormones. Nothing is left to the imagination.
Jason Hite and Miguel Cervantes bring in solid performances as Melchoir and Moritz with conviction, reality and strong voices. They are supported by a talented, compelling cast that tells a story about difficult teen life in a repressed, rigid society in a small, provincial town in Germany in the 1890s.
Set designer John Iacovelli’s inventive set centers around a large table used for every possible prop in the plot. The back screen carries the scenes to the desired destination. David Lee Cuthbert’s subtle lighting and Steve Schoenbeck’s clear sound completes the excellent package. Musical director Dolores Duran-Cafalu leads a first-rate rock band that blends in a unique string section.
The shock values, melancholy plot and explicitness of the story create an adult offering and will not appeal to everyone. It does however deliver more than two hours of great theater. This is the best production of “Spring Awakening” to come to our area in the past four years.
***
‘Spring Awakening’
Where: San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
Through: Sept. 25
Tickets: $35-$79
Details: (408) 367-7255 or www.sjrep.com
