A "Spring Awakening" On Broadway
The musical is based on a play written in Germany in the late 1800s. It was actually banned from the stage for about 100 years for its content, which deals with serious issues involving teens, such as sex and suicide. Doesn't sound much like a musical, does it? Well, it is — it's an incredible show with great emotional depth and killer rock-and-roll music interspersed with gorgeous ballads like "Word of your Body," which was performed on The Early Show today.
I noticed a lot of parents in the audience with their teenagers, and the show has gained a reputation for being a good vehicle to foster family dialogue. However, there is a parental discretion notice in the box office, and my recommendation would be that you see the show, or research it thoroughly, before you take your child. It's certainly not for anyone under the age of 13.
If you're are making a trip to New York, it's definitely worth seeing. It's edgy and emotional — and one actually leaves the theater feeling hopeful.