Award-winning musical springs up in city
Tony award-winning rock musical “Spring Awakening” is making a comeback in the city, with 12 performances at the Theater Above from January 10 to 19.
Based on the 1891 German play “Spring Awakening” by Frank Wedekind, the story follows several teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of their sexuality. The original 2006 Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Book, Best Score and Featured Actor, while it also scooped a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
A student’s version of the play was staged at SAIC Shanghai Culture Square in 2016. Three years later, the musical gathered a stronger production team and cast.
American director and choreographer Spencer Liff joined hands with British musical director Fiz Shapur, as well as Chinese director and choreographer Liu Xiaoyi in the creation of the 2019 version.
The cast covered both experienced performers, who had acted in the 2016 version, as well as newcomers the directors selected from Shanghai and New York.
Liff revealed the acting crew included fresh graduates and musical major students from the two cities, giving the latest version an energetic and international feel.
“Spring Awakening” performers are in an open rehearsal before the show.
“What’s special about this version is — the dialogue will be in Chinese, while the songs will be in English,” said Liff. “The poetic quality of the lyrics will be better presented when sang out in English. But I made the songs easy to understand through choreography, so the audience would understand the plot even if they don’t look at the subtitles.”
Liff said the stage setting features industrial and modern life elements after he borrowed inspiration from Shanghai’s city views. Chinese fan dance and folk dance have also been merged into the production.
“The musical maintains its huge popularity among a young audience thanks to its theme,” said Fei Yuanhong, vice general manager of Shanghai Culture Square Theater Management Co. “It’s also considered a touchstone that tests the ability of young musical performers. Its poetic and artistic features are what we value from this classic Broadway production.”
Performance info
Date: January 10-12, 14, 16-19, 7:30pm; January 11-12, 18-19, 2pm
Tickets: 180-580 yuan
Venue: Theater Above
Address: 5F, 1111 Zhaojiabang Rd
The cast covered both experienced performers and newcomers selected from Shanghai and New York.
