If you wanted to get the attention of the trustees at Grand Rapids Community College, then I cannot think of a better new musical to perform than Spring Awakening.
But before everyone starts firing off hate mail to the college, this isn't a new story, but one that is older than your grandmother's mother.
Spring Awakening, the musical, is the very frank adaptation of the (at the time) controversial 1892 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind.
The score features music by late '90s pop sensation Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater.
Surprisingly, the very thing that makes great art is its ability to translate the time period it was created. In this case, Spring Awakening, set in the late19th century, reflects the same concerns of almost all teenagers I have known (and once was) as they seek to uncover their inner and outer sex drive.
And just as they say, "the more things change, the more they stay the same." I cannot help but feel this connection as the cast skillfully weaves a tale that is full of misinformation, betrayal, ignorance and the powerful realizations of this period of time.
Be warned that the topics of abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide are very much at the core of this musical. If you do have a problem with these topics and exposing your kids to this, then maybe you should stay at home and begin to communicate to them.
This musical showcases in a tragic way the timeless consequences when we do not tell children the truth before sending them out into the world. It is a reminder that education is crucial in the development of our child, whose body is raging through hormonal changes at a pace adults seem to forget.
Spring Awakening was so lauded by New Yorker's theatre class that it gave this updated production a total of 8 Tony Awards including best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor.
At a time when we demonize those institutions who dare to give voice to the topics deemed oft putting, theatre like Actors' Theatre production of Spring Awakening comes along to remind us of the power of art, storytelling and most of all, being real.
Admission: $24 and up.