Last night, Hepcat and I went to see Spring Awakening, a rock musical about 19th century German school boys and girls that will make you rethink rock musicals forever.

The play, written in the 19th century by Frank Widenkend, was considered scandalous in its day.

This adaptation, with book and music by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, directed by Michael Mayer and choregraphed by Bill T. Jones, is exhilarating and wonderful.

The cast is very young: one of the performers is a student at Laguardia High School. Kids under 12 or 13 might be too young for this but it’s a must see for teenagers. I overheard a woman in the Ladies Room saying, "No one under 16 should be here," but I disagree.

Here’s what Charles Isherwood had to say in the Times.

"Spring Awakening" depicts or discusses adolescent sexuality in a
variety of guises, including (possible) rape, masturbation and
homosexuality. It explores the confusion and desperation that ensue
when the onrushing tide of hormones meets the ignorance of children
raised by parents too embarrassed or prudish to discuss what those new
urges signify. Two of the three lead characters are sacrificed on the
altar of propriety: one tormented by shame over sexual fantasies and
bad grades, the other, a girlfriend, the victim of a botched abortion.

Spring Awakening is at the Eugene O’Neil Theatre on 49th Street. For $31,00 you can sit on the stage (which would be very interesting). We paid $80 bucks for mezzanine  tickets but it was totally worth it.  Plus the usher upgraded us to the front of the balcony. Cool.