Eliza Palasz, Patrick Rooney (center) and cast/Photo: Liz Lauren
RECOMMENDED
There are reasons why “Spring Awakening” is an eight-time Tony Award winner. The book and score are captivating and turn Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play about youth, rebellion and sexual discovery into a mesmerizing rock musical with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik.
Marriott’s co-artistic director, Aaron Thielen, brings this risqué piece of theater to life as its director and choreographer. The set, designed by Thomas M. Ryan, differs from the Broadway version that set the play in a proscenium space. This production is on a thrust stage, which brings the action closer to the audience and cleverly works with Marriott’s theater-in-the-round setup. The lighting by Lee Fiskness is so good at setting the tone that the show’s projections (designed by Anthony Churchill) tend to feel unnecessary and out of place.
The acting is complemented by the vocal performances. Patrick Rooney (Melchior), Eliza Palasz (Wendla), Ben Barker (Moritz), Betsy Stewart (Ilse) and Adhana Cemone Reid (Martha) deliver wonderful performances in their solo numbers as well as in ensemble pieces.
As difficult as some of the content may be for some audience members to handle, the way the show deals with the issues of teen suicide, pregnancy and the pressures of perfectionism young adults still face one-hundred years after the play’s inception, makes “Spring Awakening” a compelling piece of theater that strays from the fairly classic musicals The Marriott Theatre is known for. In fact, the theater advises audiences that “Spring Awakening” is suggested for mature audiences because of sexual themes and content. This short, three-week run was a risk. However, it’s one they should be proud to have taken. (Mary Kroeck)
The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847)634-0200, marriotttheatre.com, $50. Through January 31.
The Original “Dance Mom”: A Review of “Gypsy” at Marriott Theatre The television show “Dance Moms” has gained wide popularity for featuring overbearing mothers obsessed with their child’s (re: their) dreams of grandeur and stardom, but none of these ladies hold a candle to the mom in Marriott Theatre’s “Gypsy.” Move over Maddie Ziegler. Step aside Abby Lee Miller. Rose Hovick is in town!
