S is for SPRING AWAKENING

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I’ll be sharing my “take-aways.” All those snigglets, golden nuggets, and lessons learned from other creative sources.

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I've oft heard LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott written in 1868, is credited as being the first YA lit. 

I have no quibble with that. 

For me, the piece of literature I encountered that deals most bluntly and honestly with the issues of adolescence is Frank Wedekind's play from 1891, SPRING AWAKENING.

The subtitle for the play is A CHILDREN'S TRAGEDY.  Wedekind's story criticizes the sexual repression of 19th century Germany. He brings to light just about every issue that causes teens to hit the proverbial wall of adolescence. 

Puberty, sexuality, rape, abuse, homosexuality, abortion, and suicide are all addressed in this powerful story. 

Ignorance is the enemy.

Cut to 2006.

Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater gave Wedekind's story new life in the rock musical version of SPRING AWAKENING. The musical takes place in dual worlds. The scenes take place in realistic period world using the language of the late 1800's with all its repressed sensibilities. 

Pictures from Pacific Conservatory for Performing Arts production - 2014

The songs however; take place in rock world with modern language and a score that seeps into your marrow.

Pictures from Pacific Conservatory for Performing Arts production - 2014

On Broadway SPRING AWAKENING won a long list of awards and launched the careers of Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff, and John Gallagher Jr.

Picture from Broadway Production - 2006

The duality of the worlds expresses the mirrored relevance of teen issues both then and now. The show has a strong following, with devotees calling themselves "The Guilty Ones," after one of the shows pivotal songs of the same name.

Lyrics to The Guilty Ones

Something started crazy

Sweet and unknown

Something you keep in a box on the street

Now it's longing for a home

And who can say what dreams are

Wake me in time to be lonely and sad

Who could say what we are

This is the season for dreaming

But now our bodies are the guilty ones

Who touch and color the hours

Night won't breathe, oh, how we

Fall in silence from the sky

Then whisper some silver reply

Pulses gone and racing

All fits and starts

Window by window you try and look into

This brave new you, that you are

And who can say what dreams are

Wake me in time to be out in the cold

And who can say what we are

This is the reason for dreaming

And now our bodies are the guilty ones

Our touch will fill every hour

Huge and dark, oh our hearts

Will murmur the blues from on high

Then whisper some silver reply

And now our bodies are the guilty ones

Our touch will color the hours

Night won't breathe, oh, how we

Fall in silence from the sky

Then whisper some silver reply

And now our bodies are the guilty ones

 

TAKE AWAY - YA issues are universal and timeless.

Have you seen SPRING AWAKENING? What piece of YA literature do you feel depicts the journey out of childhood in a way that sticks with you?