Spring Awakening

[xerinmichellex]

On Saturday, my mother and I went into Chicago to see Spring Awakening. Ever since they announced the national tour of Spring Awakening, I've been desperate to see it. I wasn't disappointed. I absolutely loved it. I've already ordered the soundtrack and put the Spring Awakening: In the Flesh book on my X-mas list.

The musical is set in 1890, but the subject matter is really timeless. It follows a group of adolescents dealing with their "awakenings" and the devastating consequences when the two opposing views of the matter clash. They had me at the Rock 'n' Roll part to be honest. My only complaint with the show was it felt like it ended abruptly. I understand you can only take a suicide and an abortion gone terrible wrong so far. I guess I would have liked more closer. Maybe they should've had Melchior burn down the school or lead a sexual revolution. I dunno. It's a small complaint for a great show.

The part I'm most amazed by is Spring Awakening won eight Tonys, including Best Musical, in 2007. That was what made me want to see it. I had heard it was a musical that recharged what Broadway was about. Usually when those things are said, only the "younger generation" get it. (Rocky Horror Picture Show, anyone?) I already knew about the rock music part, that it dealt with adolescent themes in a very mature way, and hot topic issues even for today were pressed upon. Did it still shock me at the end of Act 1 to see Melchior and Wendla consummate their relationship in the way it was done? Um...yeah. Add my mother sitting next to me...AWKWARD! Boy, did the people sitting on stage left get a good show.

I'm not shocked in a bad way. I'm surprised because the Tonys actually recognized how amazing the show was. It isn't often, but sometimes award shows pass over something because it is too risque. I'm reminded of Brokeback Mountain when many of the Academy of Motion Picture members stated they would never vote for that kind of movie to win Best Picture (I may be quoting it wrong, but the implied tone behind the comment is still there). That was in 2006 and even then there were people turning their noses up at homosexuality. Their struggles today are a clear representation on how that topic is still looked at. After seeing Spring Awakening, which has its own gay scene in it as well as other liberal ideals, I applaud the Tonys for honoring it. I doubt very much if it had been made into a movie the Academy would have honored in the same way. Who knows? They have optioned the rights for a feature film. We may just see it win something. I'm not holding my breath.

Of course, my mother wasn't quite sure what she was walking in to with Spring Awakening--even though I did warn her. My favorite part was right after Act 1, she turned to me and said, "I expected a lot of groping, not that!" (That's becoming my new phrase I say over and over again.) My mother swore she enjoyed the show when I asked her as we walked back to Union Station. She just could have done without the "gratuitous sex" and quite possibly that masturbation scene, I guess. My mother was raised Catholic, what can I say. Also, her reaction fit beautifully within the adults' views of growing up in the play. I'm just saying.

Not as exciting as Spring Awakening (I want my CD, Amazon!), yesterday my mother and I went out shopping with my cousin. She's getting married soon and we went out for shoes for her daughter and to find something to wear for me. Two things: I wanted to try and find a dress and I was desperate to not wear black to my cousin's wedding. I'm not saying I wear black to all the weddings I've attended. Black just happens to be my comfort zone. I wanted to try something new.

I can cut down the four hours of shopping to three words: I found nothing. It seems these days most dresses cater to the skinny, flat chested girls. I was discouraged an hour into shopping and it didn't let up. Dress pants and a nice top are looking very good at the present time.