|
 Frank Wedekind wrote
this controversial play more than a
century ago. The subject matter was too risqué for most communities then, and
it’s still often considered taboo. But Director Marlene
Zuccaro and the Hamilton Academy of Music became one of the few high
schools willing to stage this show – a story that spawned the musical that went
on to take the Tony in 2007.
Spring’s Awakening tells the story of a group of high
school students living in turn-of-the-century Germany where talk of sex is
restricted to stories about storks. It makes for a humorous scene as an
uncomfortable Mrs. Bergmann (well played by Lauren Moreno) hesitantly
offers the stork tale to her curious, naïve fourteen-year-old daughter Wendla (Ivy
Beech). But when the reality comes crashing down on Wendla, the innocent
humor of the stork is replaced by a tragedy that is powerfully staged, with Ivy
Beech giving a very strong performance from the curious girl embracing and
hungry for life, to the shocked and broken young woman who could never have
foreseen the turn of events that threaten to shatter her.
Joseph Loera stars as Melchior, nicely portraying the
confident and intelligent young man who is equally eager to know about the
world around him, especially the secrets that are hidden from youth. He
discovers in writing and pictures the truths  about copulation, but is
unsatisfied with simply knowing it in an intellectual sense, leading to a
disturbing but riveting end to the first act. Sean Eads is Moritz Steifel,
Melchior’s best friend, awkward and nervous around both girls and his studies,
feelings of inferiority threatening to overwhelm him. Sean nails the role of
Moritz as we see the pressure slowly building, coming to a head when he meets
the worldly Ilse (Laura Donney) alone in the woods. Ilse is the girl who
knows too much about sex, abused by her relatives and running away from home to
know many loves. Sean and Laura combine for a stunningly powerful scene
together with Ilse opening up, reminiscing about her innocence, but the still
nervous Moritz too fearful to accept the affection she offers him. The ruined,
tearful Ilse rushes away, leaving Moritz with the words, “By the time any of you
are ready, I’ll be on the rubbish heap.”
Travis Clayton is
a coolly arrogant Hanschen, with Spencer Tatum as Hanschen’s eager,
lapdog sidekick Ernst. The ensemble includes nice work by parents, students,
and a group of nuns that can be both amusing and scary. Interludes between
scenes tell some of the story through beautiful dance choreographed by talented
high school senior Brittany
Whittaker. It all takes place on a well-conceived set featuring a scrim
with a depiction of spring, centered by a butterfly that can appear both lovely
and menacing as it gazes down on the human drama playing out below.
Performs March 19 - 28, 2009.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
 Wendla/Sister Bonebreaker: Ivy Beech
Mrs. Bergmann: Lauren Moreno, Caitlin Lowe
Moritz Steifel/Otto: Sean Eads
Melchior Gabor: Joseph Loera
Otto/Diethelm: Bryce Roos
Georg/Reinhold: Aaron Bandele
Ernst/Gaston: Spencer Tatum
Thea: Joe Fragher
Martha: Maggie Doughtey
Lammermeir/Helmuth: Marquis Floyd
Mrs. Gabor: Emily Newsome
Ilse: Laura Donney
Sister Sunstroke/Dr. Procustus: Brittany Whitaker
Sister Flykiller: Katrina Mayfield
Catchmequick/Aunt Probst/Mother Schmidt: Yhanni Durdin-James
Sister Thickstick: Erin Washington
Sister Stickytongue/Fran Steifel/Sister Locksmith: Abagail Cunningham
Sister Bonebreaker/Ina: Lindsay Rapkin
Sister Calplove/Dr. Fizzpower: Laura Walsh
Mr. Gabor/Father Skinnytum: Joe Foust
Dancer: Anthony Rodriguez
Dancer: Rebecca Penso
Hanschen/Man in the Mask: Travis Clayton
Director: Marlene Zuccaro
Set Designer: J.P. Luckenbach
Lighting Designers: Donovan, J.P. Luckenbach
Costume Designers: Ellen Khansefid, Milena Trifunovich, Chaumera Parhm-Franklin
Choreographer: Brittany Whittaker
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