Spring Awakening on Broadway

My mom and I decided to get tickets to Spring Awakening by Deaf West as a last minute decision. I did not get to see Spring Awakening during its original Broadway run and I had always felt like I was missing out on an important show.
I am very happy we ended up going. I can’t tell you the last time I heard more beautiful music in a Broadway show. I literally get chills listening to the soundtrack. I found the lyrics and music to be the highlight of the show.
The plot is MUCH darker than I anticipated. I was constantly shocked by the twists and turns in the plot. It is a tearjerker for sure.
Deaf West’s production was so special to see. I was very impressed with the deaf and hearing actors’ abilities to put on a show together. Some of the main roles were played by deaf or hard of hearing actors and actresses. The deaf actors would sign their lyrics and lines while a hearing actor would sing and speak for them. It was done in such a unique and artistic way. I would definitely be interested in seeing another Deaf West performance.
The voices in this show were phenomenal. I couldn’t believe how beautiful everybody sounded together. Like I said, this show has some very disturbing content. It is certainly not for children or even young teens. You are guaranteed to leave the theater and think about this show for days.

We saw Spring Awakening on the Saturday night after New Year’s Day. The seats were more comfortable than in other theaters, but because I’m tall, my knees were crushed in the tight seats, and they began to throb in agony by the end of the second act. I wouldn’t see this show again. It is not one of the enduring great Broadway musicals. We managed to get tickets for $ 55 from the box office, and the one thing that resonated with me is the beauty of the theater. The molding and detail work on the ceiling and walls was simply gorgeous, and is what I’d want in my home study, if I were rich enough to have an office. I can tell that this production was designed to be inclusive; a wheelchair-​bound actress, ASL interpretation, and other touches definitely seem to be overtures towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The plot touches upon many profound themes, especially teen sexuality, but the fact that the church was brought in, and the Mass was portrayed as happening simultaneously as the rape of Wendla seems to be an insult to Christians. If they had tried portraying the rape of a girl in a Muslim society, with scenes from a mosque going on simultaneously, there would be pandemonium, charges of Islamophobia, and possibly acts of violence and terrorism. Yet, it’s fair game to attack Christianity, since they know Christians aren’t going to react violently when their religion is ridiculed, unlike Islam. Other Broadway shows, though, seem to mock Christians, such as the Book of Mormon and Amazing Grace, with the same premise in mind. And I’m Jewish and making note of this! Beautiful, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, The Lion King, Matilda were all memorable shows. This show just didn’t do it for me. Maybe I’m not emo enough to appreciate it. The crowd was also the same as you’d find at a Taylor Swift concert; the bathroom line for the ladies’ room was doubled over three times, at least, while it was smooth sailing for the men’s room. I think it would have been very successful without mocking the church. The incense, candles, and communion scene just threw me off.

I saw this show last minute. I didn’t know it was the deaf theater production. However this mattered very little. Basically SOME of the characters are deaf and they have a shadow to sing songs and when theatrically and artistically appropriate, they were on their own. It didn’t Change much. Honestly, if I didn’t know about the show already I would have thought that was just part of the artistic license.
Plus I got to see Marlee matlin perform!

Note the show closes ¹⁄₂₄ (last show for Marlee and Camryn is ¹⁄₁₀).
I saw this on Tuesday… Remember that day when it was like 15 degrees Fahrenheit. I had been wanting to see it since it opened but it was only when I realized Marlee and Camryn were finishing up this week that I knew I had to see it.
Attempted to get tickets through the lottery (2 hours before showtime), but wasn’t one of the lucky ones. They have this offer where if you don’t win, you can still get good tickets for 60% off. So an hour before the 7pm show, I got a ticket in the second row of the orchestra.
I saw this show in 2008. I must have forgotten a lot because this revival was so intensely good. Loved the interactions between the deaf/​hard of hearing and hearing counterparts. And by intense, I mean not appropriate for kids.
Afterward, my friends and I stuck around to meet and congratulate the cast, including Marlee Matlin, Camryn Manheim, and Ali Stroker. These are actresses I’ve admired from their other work.
Definitely go see this show! You’ll understand why it’s making history.

In 2006 I saw Spring Awakening at the Atlantic Theater company. I am rarely «ahead of the curve» especially on theater stuff but I heard about it and was intrigued. My intrigue turned to obsession and between 2007 – 2009 I saw it 7 times. When I heard about this production I was again intrigued especially since I am fascinate by ASL; but I wondered if seeing it again was necessary. I AM SO GLAD I DID. If you are thinking about it you have just under THREE weeks as of today don’t wait!
The staging is different and the mixture of deaf and hearing actors is something to see. There was something more thoughtful and moving about this version. Krysta Rodriguez who I saw in the original supporting Broadway cast was Elsa in this version and I found the section with her and Moritz (who is one of the ASL actors) VERY moving. The very ending with the staging took my breath away. It was also cool to see Marlee Maitlin and Camryn Mannheim in person both of whom I have seen in many different tv shows/​movies over the years.
I was lucky my TKTS same day ticket was in the 2^nd row but it was a tad bit close (first world problems!) If you have the option try to get back a little bit but first and foremost get yourself there!

This show was amazing! Not for children or young adults. The cast was excellent. I loved all the songs although at first it was hard to understand the words. Be prepared to be a little confused in the beginning of the show but you get used to the signing and the extra characters in the background. Top 5 of my favorite shows. Bravo!!!

Amazing show!) funny, touching, the music is better than on most of the concerts!) must see!)

I’ve seen other productions of Spring Awakening but this one was on a whole other level. It’s moving to see both deaf and hearing actors come together to tell such a powerful story of adolescence, acceptance, belief and struggle going against the grain. Not to mention, it features the very first person to ever perform on Broadway in a wheelchair. That’s some good stuff.
I think this is the perfect show for Deaf West Theater to take on. It’s an ensemble piece but much of the plot centers around a young couple, Melchior who is a hearing actor and Wendla who is deaf but has a hearing actor as her «shadow,» singing and speaking her lines. It is crazy how quickly your mind can adjust to this foreign concept, but it does and you almost forget about half the cast is deaf. Not to mention, the sign language makes for beautiful choreography.
Like the original production, the cast is on stage the entire time. It moves fast with awesome music ranging from beautiful ballads to fun and addicting uptempo songs. Everyone that sings has powerhouse vocals.
If you can’t tell already, I’m so happy I saw this show. I was able to get tickets via the South Street Seaport tkts booth for a good deal. The theater isn’t super big so any seat is probably a good seat.
The limited engagement has been extended through January and I would highly recommend Spring Awakening to anyone looking for something off the beaten path.

This is a play which offers multi-​layered experiences. On the surface, it deals with prejudice against deaf persons in Germany at the end of the 19^th century. Then there is the focus on puberty and the struggles of young people who have to deal in ignorance with their raging hormones as they grow to adulthood. And all the stories are presented within a clever musical framework of the performers signing in American Sign Language with translations and songs from the shadows. Unfortunately, only the individual singers can be understood. Whenever the chorus joins the performance, their words are indecipherable. In summary, this play is a scathing indictment against an atmosphere of stifling ultra-​conservatism which ruins the lives of many young adults. Great music. Sad Message.

I applaud the creativeness of this musical, nice songs, great directions, wonderful choreagraphy, beautifully sung, talented actor and actresses, and totally inclusive. For the hearing impaired, they sign more or less the whole play. For the hearing, no problem, you are being accommodated! Camryn Manheim and Marlee Matlin were low key, which is nice. Even though it is based in1891, it is filled with every social issues of the day. There is love and attraction, being young, being gay, and sadness, but life is filled with all of them. You will be moved emotionally.

Spring Awakening is a perfectly wonderful and edgy coming of age musical. The cast is unbelievable and this is hands down the most creatively assembled production I’ve seen and I’ve seen more than my share. Without giving too much away, I think I can pretty much guarantee you haven’t see anything like this before. It has many funny moments and many moving ones as well. I was literally surprised to find tears rolling down my cheeks during one number. I would recommend this for those in their late teens and beyond — and in particular I would recommend it for young adults — I went with my teens — we all enjoyed it immensely — my 18 year old saw it three times in previews for a total of four shows!

When it comes to theater, I just do what others tell me to do. «I got us tickets to Spring Awakening,» my friend Cassie G. texted me. So, I found myself at Brooks Atkinson Theater on a Friday night flipping through the Playbill, reading about how the show was going to be performed in American Sign Language. Cool, I thought, without thinking much of it.
Now I can’t imagine seeing a show without actors signing while singing. I had never seen deaf actors preform before, and I was blown away by their talent and ability to convey emotion. Each deaf actor has a singing counterpart that plays the voice inside their head, while strumming guitar to the beat of the outstanding soundtrack. This show also has the first actor (actress, actually) to ever preform on Broadway in a wheelchair.
The plot of Spring Awakening is about breaking social norms and going against the grain. The show itself challenges our idea of what a broadway show can be! Everyone should go see this show.