After a year and a half, musical theater returns to the Fresno State theater. In a world struggling to define the line between consent, conversations about respect, autonomy and understanding sexuality are more critical than ever.
“Spring Awakening,” a coming-of-age rock musical set in 1891, originally told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, takes the audience through the life of two young German teens, Wendla and Melchior, as they explore their sexuality. Melchior and Wendla face the hard discussions of consent as the two face the difficulties of going from adolescence to adulthood.
Fresno State University Theatre will present “Spring Awakening” on May 3-4 and May 7-11 at 7:30 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m. in the John W. Wright Theater. The play is intended for mature audiences only as it contains explicit language, sexual situations and scenes depicting violence and suicide.
“The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years,” according to the press release sent by the Department of Theatre and Dance.
When the first Broadway production of Spring Awakening debuted in 2006, Tony voters awarded the show eight trophies, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Director.
Since 2006, there have been many versions of the play, each one important for its time, reflecting evolving perspectives and social contexts.
“Spring Awakening” explores the timeless conversations of teenage pregnancy, consent, sexual orientation and suicide, which remain prevalent in 2024.
The musical discusses topics that are often avoided, leaving teens to discover and explore their sexuality with limited knowledge and to go through it without guidance.
“This environment emphasizes the importance of addressing these crucial subjects both at home and in schools to empower young individuals in their journey toward adulthood,” said director J. Daniel Herring in the press release.
Tickets for the show can be purchased online or at the box office in the Speech Arts building before the show.
