Evansville Civic Theatre emphasizes the timeless questions and
tones down the most controversial elements in its NEXTWAVE
production of Frank Wedekind's "Spring Awakening."
The show,
which opened to an audience of 149 on Thursday, remains faithful
to the original 19th-century German play, translated by Edward
Bond, but uses minimal scenic design, a modern sound design and
costuming drawn from several periods.
Much of the most sensational action takes place offstage or
is revealed through narrative passages in the drama, which runs
21/2 hours with one intermission.
That leaves director Christopher Tyner's cast of 13 teenagers
and 11 adults (including Tyner, in a masked cameo appearance) to
focus on the principal element of this production — the
sometimes comical, sometimes critical consequences that may
follow when children and adults can't or won't talk to each
other about some of life's essential questions.
The play still comes off as something of a period piece, cast
in a time when children were more innocent and ignorant of
elementary biology, but fresh performances from some key players
reinforced the timeless angst of teens struggling to deal with
their emerging sexuality and the social and academic pressure of
school.
Particularly notable were performances of Nick Wentzel as
Moritz, tortured by both sexual longings and unattainable
ideals; Katie Glaser as Wendla, a lively, inquisitive girl
desperate to understand her graduation into womanhood; and
Andrew Baum as Melchior, a young man who discovers his
understanding of sexual biology inadequate preparation for the
emotional ramifications of physical desire.
The grown-ups helped plumb the humor and drama of the show,
presented in three acts of short scenes separated by blackouts.
About a third of Friday's audience stayed in the hall after
the show for a question-and-answer session with Tyner and the
cast.
The show plays again at 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday at
Evansville Civic Theatre, 717 N. Fulton Ave. Tickets are $12 for
adults, $10 for students. For reservations or information, call
425-2800.
