What if your parents' silence could literally kill you? This rock musical doesn't flinch.
Spring Awakening is a poignant coming-of-age rock musical (based on a 1891 Frank Wedekind play) about adolescents in late 19th-century Germany navigating sexuality, rebellion, and strict, repressive authority. The story, featuring a vibrant pop-rock score, explores teenage self-discovery, trauma, and the tragic consequences of forced ignorance. The original Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, including Tonys for Best Musical, Direction, Book, Score and Featured Actor. The production also garnered four Drama Desk Awards, while its original cast album received a Grammy Award. In addition, the show was revived in 2015 on Broadway and garnered three Tony Award nominations, among other honors.
Score
Duncan Sheik's rock anthems slap harder than they have any right to.
Acting
Groff and Michele before Glee—raw, dangerous, electric.
Direction
Mayer makes period costumes mosh. The staging still shocks.
Director
Michael Mayer
Jonathan Groff
Melchior Gabor
Lea Michele
Wendla Bergmann
John Gallagher Jr.
Moritz Stiefel
Skylar Astin
Georg Zirschnitz
Lilli Cooper
Martha Bessel
Gideon Glick
Ernst Röbel
Brian Charles Johnson
Otto Lämmermeier
Phoebe Strole
Anna
Remy Zaken
Thea
Jonathan B. Wright
Hänschen Rilow
Christine Estabrook
Adult Women
Frank Wood
Adult Men
Krysta Rodriguez
Understudy
Jennifer Damiano
Understudy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
US