Musical Review: Spring Awakening

Good news Spring Awakening fans! Our beloved show is back on Broadway and in a HUGE way! As a huge fan of the original production (and I mean obsessed), I was skeptical about the big changes in the new version of the show. But don’t fear! I can tell you that I am just as big of a fan of the revival as I am of the original! I’ve even seen it twice already!

All of music is of course still present (its an amazing score download it ASAP), but there is a new twist to the show. This particular production of Spring Awakening comes from the Deaf West Theatre, meaning it incorporates both hearing and non-hearing actors in order to make a beautiful collaboration that gives a new meaning to the story.

Spring Awakening essentially tells the story of what happens when people do not communicate. The use of American Sign Language (ASL) used simultaneously with English highlights the importance of communication. Even if you don’t know ASL, you can recognize the beauty of the unspoken words.

Instead of there being one actor for each character like in the original production, certain characters are assigned one hearing and one non-hearing actor. Wendla (played by Sandra Mae Frank and voiced by Katie Boeck), is an example of one of the pairs. Frank’s beautiful facial expressions and signing is paired up with Boeck’s beautiful and enchanting voice. Another stand out pair was for the character Moritz (played by Daniel Durant and voiced by Alex Boniello), a student haunted by his teacher’s drive to make him fail. Durant’s beautiful acting and Boniello’s voice brought me to tears. Moritz has always been my favorite Spring Awakening character and they brought out a new interpretation of him that I am so happy to have been able to experience.

Other standouts in the cast, though everyone was amazing, were Austin P. McKenzie (Melchior), Andy Mientus (Hanschen), Sean Grandillo (the voice of Otto), Krysta Rodriguez (Ilse), and so many more. If I personally named every amazing actor in the show I would have to write every single name down.

The entire cast was so incredible talented and moved me so much. I’ve even been inspired to start learning sign language as I found it so beautiful and expressive in the show. I want to be able to tell not only the hearing cast members how much I enjoyed the show, but the non-hearing actors as well. I laughed, I cried, and I left with a desire to see it again and again. I’ve already seen it twice and I have been trying to make plans with friends to see it again!

Spring Awakening is at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre at 256 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036. Tickets can be purchased online or on the phone. For more information visit http://www.springawakeningthemusical.com/. It is only open for 17 weeks so please do not miss your opportunity to see this life changing production!

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