It has all the elements of a classic rock opera – including sex, drugs and rock and roll – plus eight Tony Awards to back it up. And if you’re lucky enough to be in town Friday night, March 1, you can see what all the hype is about when Sam Houston State University’s theater department brings the hit Broadway musical Spring Awakening to the Strand Theatre.
The performance is one of six plays to be featured for Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region VI, held Tuesday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 2, and hosted by Centenary College. The festival showcases the best and brightest theater programs from throughout the six-state region. Centenary has been selected to host the prestigious theater festival for the next three years.
Spring Awakening has been performed on and off Broadway and garnered plenty of acclaim along the way, especially for its indie-rock music, composed by Grammy-nominated musician Duncan Sheik. The rock musical tells the story of teenage self-discovery and sexual awakening through the lives of three teenagers set in 19th century Germany. The production is actually based on a German play of the same name, which debuted in 1891 to lots of controversy because of the taboo subjects it explored, which included everything from child abuse and abortion to homosexuality and suicide.
The musical is equally as popular for its songs, which earned a Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Musical Show Album.
Needless to say, you may want to leave the kids at home for this show. However, if you love your musical theater served with a round of great alt-rock music and hot-button topics, this is definitely one show you don’t want to miss.
Tickets are $10-$20 and can be purchased at Centenary College or on their website here.
*Main photo is from the Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre & Musical Theatre website.
