Longing for Spring Awakening

So, today while my friend and I were stuck in traffic between Sacramento and San Francisco, we listened to the entire soundtrack for the musical Spring Awakening--a "daring depiction of teen self-discovery," set in Germany in 1891, whose music is not only catchy, but hilarious. And now, I'm dying to see it. (Like, maybe somewhere around April 19th-ish. Or until May 9th. In Detroit.) Has anyone out there seen it?

L. Stacks

The Ruckus is Responsible:

Last night, I was in attendance at Roger's Park'sRuckus Theater, for their new show "Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It."

This collection of fourteen short plays based on well-known songs offered a unique way to look at how music affects each of our lives. As the artistic director explained, "Because the brain creates music, it's inherently personal, and lyrics become a part of our cultural and personal lexicon through which we interpret our world." While a few of the performances recited lines from its respective song verbatim, others simply presented a play using themes from the song. The "playlist" for the show ranged from songs by Cat Stevens and Paul Simon to Pearl Jam, System of a Down, and even Paris Hilton.

I loved the whole concept of this show. As an avid music-lover, it was really cool to see how each writer took a song and either heightened its meaning, or gave it new meaning. Some skits were just plain hilarious (Jeff Green's "Baby Got Back") while others were so quietly thoughtful that I don't think I'll ever be able to shake them out of my head (Aaron Dean's "Former Things"). While the theater itself is small (seating about 30 people) and a little chilly, I loved the intimate experience. While the show was longer than I had anticipated (nearly two and a half hours), I surprisingly did not find my attention wavering much throughout the entire performance. I would definitely recommend spending $10 on this show--and supporting the inaugural season of Ruckus Theater--over spending $10 on a ticket for some lame movie (Saw IV? Six, really?!).

L. Stacks

Rose & the Rime, House Theater, Chicago

After braving the swirls of snow and the nibble-at-your-ears Chicago wind, I sat down at the House Theater's current show, the Rose and the Rime, and was introduced to Radio Falls, Michigan: another midwest town that has seen more than its fair share of winter. In fact, it is always winter in Radio Falls, as a witch has stolen the town's magic coin, throwing it into a winter frenzy.

This original story was written and produced by Nathan Allen in the spring of 2007 while he was a visiting professor at Hope College in Holland, MI. This award-winning production is a folktale reminiscent of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Lord of the Rings, with several unique twists. The main character, Rose (Carolyn Defrin), is a spunky, loveable teenager who is to Radio Falls what Rorie Gilmore is to Stars Hollow in The Gilmore Girls. The production follows her on her journey to find the magical coin, and to discover both love and some terrible truths along the way.

While critics have said the Rose and the Rime lacks depth, I think that the simplistic nature of the production is counter-balanced by its inventive use of props and special effects--from fake snow to height-defying rope adventures to glass-bottle lullabies--and the heartfelt sincerity of the entire cast. Rose and the Rime is a folktale, not unlike Hansel and Gretel or The Three Pigs, so if you are looking for the twists and turns and surprises of television's Lost, you might not get what you're expecting.

But still, Rose and the Rime delivers. It is Aesopic in its morale, and Tolkien-esc in its epic journey. The production is emotional and heartfelt and simple, something that is rarely cherished anymore. And the original songs, moves, and creative use of people as props is definitely worth checking out. I would recommend this show--and maybe its magical presence at the House Theater in Chicago will bring spring to us, not only Radio Falls.

L. Stacks