An Iowa College in the Liberal Arts Tradition
Spring Awakening
Music by Duncan Sheik
Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Jane Hawley and Bob Larson
Center for the Arts: Jewel Theatre
November 11-19, 2011
Musical Director's Notes
The subtitle of Frank Wedekind's 1890 German play is "A Children's Tragedy". Although Sater and Sheik's musical does not retain this footer, their commentary is no less pronounced. The play is centralized around the individual misfortunes of the young protagonists. Equally important is the tragedy of being a child in a society which compels awakening and maturation in an environment which qualifies, stifles, and corrects natural affinities. Unnatural cultural boundaries infringe upon natural desires of children.
