I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know much about Spring Awakening until I recently saw it. I knew it was a noteworthy production that had done very well on Broadway and the like; but beyond this, I didn’t know much else. And so, I went to the opening performance of the Johannesburg run of Spring Awakening completely in the dark. It is unlike anything I’ve seen before – in the best way! THIS is what musical theatre is meant to be. Here are my thoughts on why you simply cannot miss Spring Awakening.
Don’t worry – I’ll get straight to the point and there won’t be any spoilers.
1. A Gripping Story (no spoilers)
Spring Awakening is a coming-of-age rock musical that follows the lives of teens discovering adolescent sexuality. What’s interesting is that it’s set in late 1800s Germany – close to when and where the original play was first on stage. Of course, rock and roll wasn’t around then, and so it’s quite jarring to see different eras come together in this way. What was also fascinating was how timeless some topics are. The play includes various subjects that are still relevant to teenagers today. Things like love, sex, religion, morality, suicide, and more.
At its core, Spring Awakening is a love story, to me. It follows the story of two teens who fall in love. From two different perspectives, they both expose the audience to different aspects of what it’s like going through adolescence. It certainly brought back memories for me of when I was in high school, and how I learned about the world at that stage of my life. From the beginning, it’s easy to predict the main story, but it’s everything else that happens around the main narrative that keeps it engaging.
2. Supporting the Young Cast of Up-and-Comers
In 2006, the more modern version of the play started off-Broadway and in the same year moved onto Broadway. The cast included actors like Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, and Skylar Astin who have gone on to be huge successes on stage and screen. So, there’s definitely something about this show, in my opinion.
I was surprised to see so many people on stage! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big production at the Pieter Toerien Theatre. The cast must’ve been around 20 people, which is a lot if you know that stage. It was impressive and I hope to see more like this in the future.
Something I also noticed was how young the cast is. Spring Awakening‘s cast was predominantly made up of early to mid-twenty-somethings. Twenty-somethings who performed their hearts out! Their age, I think, gave them a vigor that was felt through the energetic choreography. This, to me, was comparable to the youth of the characters they were portraying.
There was a lot of movement and synchronisation that made the play mesmorising. In fact, the choreography team, made up of Duane Alexander, Anna Oliveir, and Naoline Quinzin was intentional about making any point of the production look like a classic painting, which it certainly does. Every position and movement is so intentional. Despite their age, the acting, singing, and dancing were faultless.
I genuinely believe that this cast is worth following because I know they’re going places. These are the faces we’re going to be seeing much more of in the big musicals in the coming years. For example, I recognised Ché-Jean Jupp who was recently Rolf in The Sound of Music. I can tell that he has a big career ahead of him. I easily see him in a Raoul De Chagny role in The Phantom of the Opera. Dylan Janse Van Rensburg and Gabriella Knight were also phenomenal leads in every way!
3. The Production Quality
I’ve seen a few rock musicals, but nothing quite like this. At a few points during the play, I honestly thought I could be anywhere in the world, e.g., in a theatre on Broadway. The production quality was truly world-class. From set design to the performances, everything was top-drawer.
What I particularly enjoyed was the sound design of the play. That’s right – there is sound design in Spring Awakening. Creativity when it comes to sound isn’t typical on stage, so it was refreshing to experience. In America, there are physical items that communicate the story. In South Africa, however, sound design was often used to sell a scene or action. This was something I enjoyed as an audience member. Well done to David Classens who struck the perfect balance between sound and silence.
Despite the stage being smaller, the production felt so much bigger. Lighting, the choreography, and the layout of the set transformed the space into different locations effectively. At one point, you’re in a classroom, the next, you’re in a family’s home. While the sets and props were limited, it was easy to follow the story.
Closing Thoughts
Spring Awakening is not the typical happy-clappy musical you’re used to, but it’s a refreshing take on the stories that could be told. Regardless of your preference, it is absolutely a play you need to see.
It’s on at Pieter Toerien Theatre from 12 April to 5 May 2024. Don’t miss out! It’s only on until 5 May so don’t miss out! Tickets are available at WebTickets.co.za, ranging from R200 to R350.
For any more information, please contact me across social media at @fantomdan
