Every generation, a musical emerges on Broadway that reflects the era of its creation. Some become powerful reflections of the society of that time, showing the values and the problems that particular generation confronts. Musicals like “West Side Story,” “Hair,” and “Rent” that touched upon immigrant conflicts, anti-establishment protests, and the social and psychological effects of AIDS were signature pieces of their era. In some ways, “Spring Awakening,” the latest effort by The Center Players of the Bayonne Jewish Community Center, is such a musical, reflecting many of the issues confronting contemporary youth today, such as bullying, sexual abuse, and even suicide.
As with “Rent,” “Spring Awakening” puts to music the rage and frustration people feel in facing issues that seem overwhelming, sometimes with humor, often with pathos, yet always making a point that audiences cannot mistake.
Like “Hair,” “Spring Awakening” is a rock musical, adapting a 1982 German play by Frank Wedekind. The characters in Wedekind’s play struggled with similar issues faced by the changing society of post World War I Germany when Europe faced both economic problems and social questions, such as abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse, and suicide.
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards for its 2007 performances on Broadway, “Spring Awakening” won eight, including “Best Musical,” “Direction,” “Book,” “Score,” and “Featured Actor.” The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards.
modern
For the JCC, this marks the fourth musical in a row in which the Center Players have taken bold steps into social satire, starting with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Rent,” and, last year, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
Carl Gonzalez, who has directed theatric works in Holy Family Academy and Bayonne High School, was asked back to direct the production. He is an acting teacher and also directs at the Park Theater in Union City.
“This is an emotional play with adult situations.” — Carl Gonzalez
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Running time for the play is two hours and ten minutes, with one intermission.
Musical Director Dennis Argul said the music is not complicated, but it involves a rock band giving the musical part of its energy.
Gonzalez’s staging is curiously symbolic, with remarkable images making up the scene behind the action. Each song creates a kind of visual symbolism, sometimes acutely ironic. The set is minimalistic.
Not happy, but uplifting
Some of the actors do not see this as a happy musical that’s typical of classic 1950s and early 1960s plays, but one that is uplifting none the less, with moments of humor and pathos.
Anna Levin, who acted in the JCC’s production of “Rent” and later directed “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” plays a young teenage girl of 14 who is struggling to make sense of the new world of sexuality she is entering.
“There is a moment when she suddenly grows up,” Levin said, bringing a similar moment in her own life to her performance.
When Eric Parkin had a role in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” he often refused to step out of character, maintaining his role off and on stage. Now playing eight roles in the upcoming musical, he is confronted by significant changes in mood and emotion, often moving from pathos to comedy in one breath.
“I play the head master of the school and about four different parents, and a priest,” he said.
Although he works in an office by day, Parkin has aspirations to act for a living and recently completed a role in the off-Broadway production of “Dorothy of Oz.”
“This is an emotional play with adult situations,” said Gonzalez. “But it is something that is very contemporary.”
Parental guidance is recommended.
The musical “Spring Awakening” will rock the JCC of Bayonne’s stage on Jan. 19 and 21 at 8 p.m., and Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 (patron), $15 (preferred), and $12 (general). Call the Center at (201) 436-6900 for further information.