Spring Awakening

Last night I saw "Spring Awakening" on Broadway. Aside from a few technical qualms, I thought the show was great - beautiful singers, very unique concept and a sharp adaptation of the original play to the musical format.

I think the producers of the show have done an important service. This play was written in the 1880s about the stifling social attitudes that cause young people so much turmoil. Unfortunately, watching the various storylines, I was struck by how relevant they still are now.

Wendla doesn't understand her body or how sex is related to pregnancy. When her mother scolds her, disappointed that Wendla has betrayed her by losing her virginity and getting pregnant, Wendla's response is "Why didn't you tell me everything?" Wendla had absolutely no understanding and no way of getting information about sex and reproduction. A botched abortion kills her. Today, New York State spends $12 million a year on ABSTINENCE ONLY sex education. So it's no wonder we have teenage pregnancy. And of course there are many reactionaries who would like to return to restrictive laws regarding a woman's right to choose.

Moritz, preoccupied by wet dreams he doesn't undertand, fails his classes. Neither his teacher nor his father undertands or loves him properly, and he shoots himself. We still have epidemic depression and suicide.

Two of the female characters in the play are physically and sexually abused by their fathers. Unfortunately, we still have shame, silence and self-blame trapping people in unhealthy situations.

The language of the play is at once modern, pedestrian and poetic. By bringing these issues to a venue where a broad spectrum of society will identify with them, the cast, writers, director and producers are helping to initiate vital conversations.