(OUTview NW) RE-view: Chandelier Productions' Spring Awakening is an INCREDIBLE Triumph!

by MK Scott

With Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening heading back to Broadway, it is easy to appreciate the modern day classic and even seeing countless versions (Actually 3 so far) it is refreshing how fresh it can be.

Just imagine without Spring Awakening, we wouldn't have GLEE or LOOKING or even PITCH PERFECT, because the stars of the original Broadway cast was Lea Michelle (Wendla) who went on to mega success in Glee and the soon to be Scream Queens, but also Jonathan Groff (Melchior) who reteamed with Michelle in Glee and starred in HBO's Looking. Even Skylar Astin (Georg) went on to the highly Successful, Pitch Perfect franchise. The Tony winning, John Gallagher Jr, (Moritz) has stayed on Broadway with American Idiot and small TV roles.

So that brings us the new local production of this Broadway Hit and it is quite something, one thing striking is the 3 main roles (Wendla, Melchior, and Moritz) are all blond, and are not trying to emulate Michelle, Groff and and Gallagher. In this we get a Dianna Agron type mixing it up with a Chord Overstreet type. Both the actors (Michael Renney and Jordan Frost) sold it as we believed they were Wendla and Melchior.  Even Chance Elridge (Mortiz) sold me on the Kooky kid whose life is turned upside down by the adults in his life.


Spring Awakening is a rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. It is based on the German play Spring Awakening (1891) by Frank Wedekind. Set in late-19th century Germany, the musical tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of teenage sexuality. In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score.

The Story is starts with Wendla (Frost) wanting her mom to tell her about sex but her Mom (Alissa Cattabriga) tells her she must me in love. Wendla is joined by her friends; Thea (Kat Rose Agnew), Anna Chloe Rain Roberts) and Martha (Anna Urband with Awesome Hair).

At school, Moritz (Elridge) is having erotic dreams and thinks he is going mad and Melchior gives him an essay about sex with illustrations. In "Bitch of Living" we meet Georg (Dustin Schisler) who is obsessed with his piano teacher (Cattabriga) and the aggressive Hanschen (the super seductive, Devon Allen) who desires Shy Ernest (the incredible, Randall Scott Carpenter). 

The rest of Act One doesn't shy away from Masturbation, Sex abuse, Repression, S & M, Sex, Rape, and Nudity.

In Act 2, Moritz gives up, Melchior takes the rap, Wendla is forced to suffer the consequences of her sins, and we also learn more about Ilse (The bodacious, Kate Beesley) a homeless girl who comforts Moritz. Hanschen and Ernest give in to their desire.

Issues of Censorship, Homelessness, Suicide, and Abortion all play part. It's the music and the performances that have the most impact.

My only question was Why? was the first scene of Wendla playing the electric guitar to the waitresses 1980's hit, I know what guys want. Sorry, it just didn't fit in a play set in the oppressive 1890's, even with the contemporary score.

Overall the show was a triumph with incredible performances throughout. This show was a benefit for the Homeless Teen charity, Peace from the Streets by Kids from the streets.

Chandelier Productions is a non-profit group of musicians, actors and event producers focused on raising money and awareness for local and national LGBTQ organizations and LGBTQ allies including Gay City Health Project, Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, the It Gets Better Project, the Trevor Project and GLSEN. Other achievements include: The Rocky Horror Show at the Showbox (2013), a reoccurring Mother's Day tribute to the legendary Roy Orbison at the Triple Door (2013/2015), The Rocky Horror Show/Hedwig & the Angry Inch Live Double Feature (2012), and Hedwig and the Angry Inch at The Crocodile (2011). In partnership with Rudy's Barbershop, Cupcake Royale and The Stranger, the 2011 production of Hedwig raised over $10,000 in benefit of Dan Savage's It Gets Better Project.

Be sure see this incredible show to Benefit PSKS that performs Fri, Aug 28 and Sat, Aug 29 at the Broadway Performance Hall. Click HERE for Tickets/Info.