“Spring Awakening,” presented by the University of Utah Department of Theatre November 8 – 17 in the Babcock Theatre, “is about love, rage, grief, and trust,” said Kaitlyn Losada, assistant director and Theatre Teaching major.
“This coming of age production shows you the beauty and darkness of this world, and how we can have an effect and make a change in our own world.”
To say it’s timely is perhaps an understatement.
It is Germany, 1891, a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body and wonders aloud where babies come from... until Mama tells her to shut it and put on a proper dress. Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy, Moritz – a boy so traumatized by puberty that he can't concentrate on anything... not that the Headmaster cares. He strikes them both and tells them to turn in their lesson.
One afternoon, in a private place in the woods, Melchior and Wendla meet by accident and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they've ever felt. As they fumble their way into one another's arms, Moritz flounders and soon fails out of school. When even his one adult friend, Melchior's mother, ignores his plea for help, he is left so distraught that he can't hear the promise of life offered by his outcast friend, Ilse. Naturally, the Headmasters waste no time in pinning the ‘crime’ of Moritz's suicide on Melchior to expel him. And soon, Mama learns that her little Wendla is pregnant. Now the young lovers must struggle against all odds to build a world together for their child.
“It’s rare to work on a title that is so very timely and has so much to say about the world we currently live in,” said director Erin Farrell Speer, head of the Musical Theatre Program.
"This is a musical that people love, and the folks working on it have brought their best all the way around. The cast has handled some challenging material with professionalism and maturity bringing these characters to life and not shying away from the content. 'Spring Awakening’ has been a true collaborative process at every level from the creative team to the designers to our cast and crew."
The play is noted for its inclusion of challenging themes and tough questions, making it more suitable for mature audiences who can understand the content advisories.
With music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater, and based on the play by Frank Wedekind, the rock musical explores the tumultuous journey of adolescence, touching on themes of sexual awakening, rebellion, and the struggles of growing up. Beyond choreography by A. Raheim White, musical direction by Alex Marshall, Speer’s theatrical direction, and dramaturgy by Mae Hinton-Godfrey, the cast was bolstered by additional resources like intimacy coordination from Sarah Shippobotham (also dialect coach) and on-site mental health consulting from Jason Archuleta.
The University of Utah community is ever growing and changing, views are clashing, ideas are being created, but one thing that we all have in common is the fact that we are people. People who love and care, and that is something that this show sorely needs. People who love, care, and feel.
- Kaitlyn Losada
Assistant choreographer Carina Purdy, a sophomore in the MTP, believes that it is precisely the gravity of the production that makes it beautiful and surprising.
“The intensity of the rock music, the acting conveyed by our students, and the topics of the show really make you wake up. This is not an easy show –– not only for the audience but also the cast. You can just tell how devoted the cast is to the story and how powerful it is as a viewer. It takes you through valleys of emotions that make it impossible to sit still.”
Losada encourages the whole campus community to come experience it.
“I think this show is important not only to appreciate the arts and how beautiful live theatre can be, but because we live in a cultural climate where education, religion, and relationships collide and impact the lives of generations now, and still to come,” she said. “You have a chance to see the true weight that life can carry and how it can influence the youth of this world. The University of Utah community is ever growing and changing, views are clashing, ideas are being created, but one thing that we all have in common is the fact that we are people. People who love and care, and that is something that this show sorely needs. People who love, care, and feel.”
Spring Awakening
Babcock Theatre
300 South University Street on the lower level of Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
Performance Dates & Times
Fri, 11/8 @ 7:30 pm
Sun, 11/10 @ 2 pm
Sun, 11/10 @ 7:30 pm
Thurs, 11/14 @ 7:30 pm
Fri, 11/15 @ 7:30 pm
Sat, 11/16 @ 2 pm
Sat, 11/16 @ 7:30 pm
Sun, 11/17 @ 2 pm
Sun, 11/17 @ 7:30 pm
ASL interpreted performance and audience talkback November 15
Content Advisory
Spring Awakening is a rock musical that explores the tumultuous journey of adolescence, touching on themes of sexual awakening, rebellion, and the struggles of growing up. Due to its mature content, the following advisory is provided:
Content Warnings:
Sexual Content: The musical includes scenes of sexual exploration, both consensual and non-consensual, as well as discussions of sexual desire and experiences.
Nudity: There are moments of partial nudity that are integral to the storytelling.
Violence: The show contains scenes of physical violence, including a depiction of suicide.
Language: Strong language and explicit dialogue are used throughout the performance.
Substance Use: Characters are shown consuming alcohol and other substances.
Sensitive Themes: The musical addresses sensitive topics such as mental health struggles, suicide, abortion and abuse.
Audience Discretion: Due to the mature themes and explicit content, Spring Awakening is recommended for audiences aged 16 and older. Viewer discretion is advised.
UV Light: This production uses UV lights, directed to the performers.
