Frank Wedekind subtitled his play Spring Awakening (Frühlings Erwachen ), written in 1891, A Children’s Tragedy. At times comic, at times harrowing, the play takes a look at the upbringing and education of a group of young German students; consequently it stands as a sharp criticism of parents and teachers, particularly in regard to their sexual mores. For all the good intentions of his statement, Wedekind’s play was met with scandal when first staged in 1906, in part due to its unflattering look at adults, and because it contains scenes of homoeroticism, masturbation, nonconsensual sex, and suicide. The play has often been banned.
In 2006, the team of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater gave Spring Awakening a vibrant new life on Broadway with the unlikely aid of the ultimate rebellious medium: rock music. The musical went on to win eight Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards. Perhaps the most haunting realization about the adaptation’s success is the contemporary relevance of Wedekind’s turn-of-the-century play.
Director Jeremy Seghers has assembled a talented cast of adults and young people for the Queer Quills reading. The “Adults” will be read by Scottie Campbell, Nikki Darden, John DiDonna, and John Palmer. The “Children” will be read by Nichole Auger, Zach Blackwood, Cody Bush, Lindsay Cochran, Bruce Costella, Brendan Crowgey, Will Dixon, Sean Flynn, Ally Gursky, Anthony Pyatt, and Sarah Villegas.
The reading will give the audience the opportunity to explore the source material for the hit musical prior to the Broadway tour’s stop in Orlando May 18-23. Visit broadwayacrossamerica.com for more information.
Kangagirl Productions and Heidi Dog Productions present a reading of Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening as part of the Queer Quills reading series on Sunday, April 18 at 7:00PM. A suggested donation of $5 will benefit the Paul M. Wegman Scholarship for Actors at Valencia Community College. The reading will take place at Breakthrough Theatre, 419A/421 W. Fairbanks Ave. Winter Park, FL, 32789.