As I contemplated attending the new Deaf West Theatre production of SPRING AWAKENING, I really had no idea what to expect, and was actually considering passing up the opportunity since it had been relatively recently that I had seen a national tour of the show. Not to mention having seen the same touring production in another city not long before that. It wasn’t that I didn’t think the show was a great work; however, the productions that I had previously seen had fallen a bit flat with me (I’m not referring to the original Broadway production here).
As I was waiting for the show to begin and discussing with a friend why I might actually prefer this production over my previous experiences with the show, I decided to neutralize my thinking and give SPRING AWAKENING – the “new” SPRING AWAKENING – a chance. I’m glad I did.
Based on the 1891 play depicting fractured youth attempting to come into their own amidst the backdrop of culturally repressive Germany, SPRING AWAKENING combines a brilliant score from Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater to give us the Tony-winning Broadway production that we are generally familiar with.
Deaf West, however, breathes new life into this show, to the point that even if you were one of the few who was less than excited about one of the earlier iterations of SPRING AWAKENING, this time, you will definitely be awakened. The sheer beauty of Spencer Liff’s choreography and the incorporation of American Sign Language (ASL) bring an energy and connection that is truly unmatched.
The real hook is the use of spoken dialog in concert with the ASL. All performers in the show sign, and those who speak for the deaf actors also interact with them. Almost at times as if they were a magical extension of thinking or conscience, creating an even stronger and more interesting dynamic.
As for the performance itself, the casting is spot on, and the actors embrace their characters fully. The creative lighting design from Travis Hagenbuch augments the depth of the performances on stage, and Christopher Murillo’s minimalist scenic design gives us the ability to see into the characters’ lives with an occasional touch of symbolism that adds to perspective of what this story is about.
Director Michael Arden gives us a SPRING AWAKENING in which he brings together many amazing pieces of art and weaves them into one giant, incredibly colorful tapestry. Don’t miss this incredible experience.
SPRING AWAKENING is at the Rosenthal Theater, Inner-City Arts, 720 Kohler St., Los Angeles, and runs thru November 9. For more information, visit www.deafwest.org.
