Spring Awakening
at Germantown Academy

Reviewed on March 9, 2018

Anna Mondragon
AP Schalick High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 1

A gripping tale about the dangers of parental failure and how children are affected by the world around them is presented in the show "Spring Awakening." This musical with very adult themes appears to be daunting for a high school, but Germantown Academy provided a powerful and tasteful performance that no one should miss out on.

This rock musical was first written as a play in 1891 by Frank Wedekind. It was then adapted into a musical by Steven Sater which opened in 2006. This powerful tale highlights the lives of different children in this German town, primarily Wendla Bergmann, Melchior Gabor, and Moritz Stiefel. Each character struggles with issues like sex, abuse, suicidal thoughts, and failure which are issues that every teen struggles with. Though these characters go through so much, we are reminded it is always important to keep going and the actors at Germantown Academy did a great job in portraying this message.

The incorporation of the modern era is something that really stood out. The infusion reminded the audience that teens are still experiencing these issues. The entire cast had an energy about them that exuded their love with the art and the show and enthralled the viewer into the story line without taking the viewer out of the story.

Danny Ritz who played Melchior Gabor showcased a great understanding of the material. He showed us that thinking against the status quo is sometimes the right thing to do and that even if you are being opposed, it is okay to stick to your values. Alex Kafrissen as Wendla Bergmann showed us amazing dancing and expression of her emotions. Certainly though, Isaac Wilkins as Moritz Stiefel really stole the stage. He truly brought his own interpretation to the role and made sure he was not forgotten. His goofy character contrasted well with the mostly serious cast but do not let that fool you. He was ready to make a situation serious when it needed to be and did so excellently.

The ensemble was a nice reminder that even if it seems that life is going awry, there are still many other lives happening around you. The ensemble was on stage most of the time and never was distracting to the show. The choreography done by the ensemble was very well done.

The mostly stationary set was a nice touch to the teenage rebellion aura that the show gives off. Though the set movements were minor and nothing major was moved off and on, the movement was very fluid and not distracting at all.

Overall, "I Believe" Germantown Academy did a wonderful job in their rendition of "Spring Awakening."

Anji Cooper
Academy of the New Church
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 2

Desire is an emotion that we are all subject to, even if we do not fully understand it. Innocence only lasts for so long, until it's overtaken by curiosity-- a curiosity to discover and an innate need to understand the body and its emotions. Germantown Academy explores these quirks in human nature in its moving production of "Spring Awakening".

Based on the German play of the same name, "Spring Awakening" is a rock musical with music written by Duncan Sheik. The show made its Broadway debut in 2006, with notable cast members such as Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, John Gallagher Jr. and Skylar Astin. Set in 1891, Spring Awakening follows a group of young men and women as they explore the jagged path of adolescence, discovering their bodies, minds and true desires along the way.

Germantown Academy's production of "Spring Awakening" was passionate and evocative, driven by captivating leads, impressive and capable supporting characters, and a fervent ensemble.

Danny Ritz, who played the precocious and headstrong Melchior, led the show with charisma and engaging energy. He demonstrated his powerful voice in "Totally F*cked," accompanied by a feverishly impassioned performance that allowed the audience to feel his character's raw emotion. Alex Kafrissen played Wendla, a sweet and naive girl who falls for Melchior. She exhibited her haunting, melodic vocals in "Those You've Known" and "Mama Who Bore Me" as well as exceptional dancing talent throughout the show.

The entire cast exerted constant intensity and vehemence. Moritz (Isaac Wilkins) became a crowd favorite with his endearingly quirky outsider energy and physical comedy. He also proved his ability to act in serious moments, such as during his forceful performances in "And Then There Were None" and "Don't Do Sadness." Martha (Rachel Roth) and Ilse (Elisabeth Berlinger) stunned with their strong voices during "The Dark I Know Well" and "Blue Wind," respectively. Hanschen (Max Donches) had the audience in stitches with his cocky, seductive delivery.

The production's simple hair and makeup kept the audience firmly in the world without any distraction. The stage crew efficiently rearranged the set and props, allowing for smooth transitions between scenes. While the movement and actions of characters in the background could have been diverting for some, the overall commanding presence of the actors on stage held the audience's attention.

Germantown Academy's production of "Spring Awakening", brought to life by the cast's boundless passion with candid and electric energy, fused rock and roll with issues of mortality and sexuality into a story that packs a powerful emotional punch.

Emily Sinrod
Harriton High School
Submitted for publication to The Miscellany

Rocking out, playing electric guitar, and texting in 1891? A beautiful story following teenage budding consciousness came into full bloom with a modern twist in Germantown Academy's production of Spring Awakening.

The rock musical debuted on Broadway in 2006 and is based on the German play "Spring Awakening" by Frank Wedekind, inspired by his own upbringing and life. Late 19th century Germany is the backdrop of the heartbreaking story of teenagers on their exhilarating, complex and tumultuous journey of sexual awakening and the tragedies that can result from repression and societal pretense.

Germantown Academy's talented and passionate cast brought the message of the musical to life unapologetically. Alex Kafrissen (Wendla) dominated the stage with her beautiful movement and skilled dancing that matched her emotion in poignant and shattering scenes. Danny Ritz (Melchoir) remained high energy and charismatic throughout the production, making Melchior a headstrong yet endearing character to watch. Isaac Wilkins (Moritz) was a standout of the production. His jarring movements and nervous ticks proved his dedication to the lovable and tragic role.

Other notable performances included Lauren Paynton as the Adult Women, who perfectly captured the lack of communication among the parents and their children with her cold and sharp dialogue. Elisabeth Berlinger's (Ilse) melodic sweet voice paired with her gentle movements symbolized Ilse's hope for a new generation, especially while leading numbers like "The Song of Purple Summer."

The use of different ensembles and the intertwined modern elements throughout the production is what made Germantown Academy's Spring Awakening unique and particularly powerful. Members of the prep school boys ensemble each shined individually while working cohesively as a unit. The power of the cast together in unison in song and movement made full cast numbers breathtaking.

Technical elements further enhanced the timelessness and beauty of the production. The stage worked dynamically as is transformed from scene to scene, from a dark classroom to a mysterious graveyard. The crew worked quickly and efficiently in these seamless set changes.

Overall, Germantown Academy landed a huge success with their stunning and relevant production of "Spring Awakening".

Lea Harlev
Archmere Academy
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 4

With spring fittingly just around the corner, the students of Germantown Academy delighted and impressed audiences with their powerful performance of Spring Awakening.

With book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, Spring Awakening is based upon a play written by Frank Wedekind in 1891. This unique musical utilizes a blend of folk and rock music in order to tell the story of teenagers discovering their sexuality and its place in nineteenth-century German society.

With her crystal-clear vocals and intense vulnerability on stage, Alex Kafrissen captivated the audience as Wendla, the naïve and energetic female protagonist. Kafrissen's dance and movement throughout the performance was especially gorgeous to watch. Danny Ritz' performance as Melchoir, Wendla's intelligent and non-conformist friend and love interest, was a perfect contrast to Wendla. Ritz evoked immense passion onstage, and together Kafrissen and Ritz complimented each other beautifully, especially within the intimate choreography of "I Believe."

Isaac Wilkins' characterization of Moritz, Melchoir's awkward and angsty best friend, was a joy to watch. The detailed character work that went into Wilkins' performance was evident as he displayed a large variety of emotional and psychological levels within his character's intense trajectory, culminating in the emotional rock anthem "Don't Do Sadness." Elisabeth Berlinger as Ilse, a girl who escaped an abusive home, demonstrated such natural confidence and grace throughout the show that was well beyond her years. During both "The Dark I Know Well," the powerful, but heartbreaking duet sung with Martha (Rachel Roth) and "The Song of Purple Summer," a folk-inspired anthem that ends the show, Berlinger delivered a flawless and memorable performance.

The ensemble as a whole did an exceptional job. The full, robust sound of the ensemble performing group numbers, such as "Touch Me" and "Left Behind," resonated throughout the entire theatre as they executed difficult harmonies with ease. Quinton Ritchie's stunning solo in "Touch Me" particularly stood out. "Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)" introduced the audience to the extraordinary vocal power of the female ensemble. Equally as strong, the male ensemble's dynamics throughout the show were remarkably nuanced and entertaining to watch.

Although not many technical elements of the production were executed by students, the student crew team led by Daryl Dohner and Olivia Korman did a fantastic job. The moving of set pieces and props throughout ongoing scenes was almost undetectable when needed, while also sometimes aiding in the dramatic moments onstage.

With their poignantly relevant production of Spring Awakening, the the students of Germantown Academy empowered audiences to think critically in the hopes that one day "all shall know the wonder of purple summer."