Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening
Book and lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, original play by Franz Wedekind. StageArt. Director: Robbie Carmellotti. Musical Director: Caleb Garfinkel. Choreographer: Zoee Marsh. Chapel Off Chapel (Vic). May 19 – June 10, 2017.

StageArt’s production of Spring Awakening was excellent. I saw the MUST production in 2011 and was again impressed with the strength of the show and the strength of the performers.

It was an amazing production. Everything seemed to flow. As one song was being sung, you tended to not notice that the stage was being reset by the performers behind, until the lighting changed. It was very slick.

The choreography was energetic and tight, with all performers moving as one when required. As well as head microphones, soloists were usually given a wireless microphone to sing with for better sound, this often being handed to them by another performer. Sometimes that performer held it for them if they were unable to do it themselves. This was very unobtrusive.

All the performers were strong and had excellent voices. Often one was picking up a violin or guitar to add to the fabric of the orchestra. They were really a multi-talented lot.

Ashley Roussety and Jessie-Lou Yates were superb as the young lovers, Melchior and Wendla, and generated a real chemistry. Brent Trotter was excellent as their tortured friend, Moritz. Barry Mitchell and Olivia Solomons played a number of adult roles, and clearly differentiated between them.

We left feeling we’d been put through the wringer, but wouldn’t have missed it.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Belinda Strodder

 

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