Preview: Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening: the Musical opens next week for a limited run at the Oriental Theatre. The musical is based in the 1891 Frank Wedekind play that explores teen growth, sexuality, suicide, violence, masturbation and all those other dark topics that our society even now tries to keep quiet. While the musical focuses a little more on the sex, drugs, and rock and roll aspect of the plot rather than the issues, it is still an excellent piece of theatre that will give you a lot to think about after the final curtain has come down.

The musical won eight Tony Awards during the 2007 season including Best Musical. This is a production not to be missed in its limited engagement in Chicago.

Broadway in Chicago press release:

SPRING AWAKENING swept the 2007 Tony Awards, winning eight out of its 11 nominations. Hailed as the “Best Musical of the Year” by the NY Drama Critics Circle, the Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle and the Tony Awards, SPRING AWAKENING has emerged as the most talked about new musical on Broadway.

Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th-century Germany, SPRING AWAKENING tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Haunting and provocative, SPRING AWAKENING celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.