Review: 'Spring Awakening' by the Warner Stage Company

Photo Credit: Mandi Martini©2018 The Warner Theatre

Dedicated to my father on this first Father’s Day without him

Torrington, CT - SPRING AWAKENING is the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Book and lyrics were written by musical theatre novice Steven Sater with music and orchestrations by pop-singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik. Despite targeting an audience of teens and young adults, two groups not know for their disposable income or theatre attendance, it was a hit. A beautiful production of the rock musical opened at the Warner Theatre Nancy Marine Studio Theatre on Saturday evening to a packed house and runs through June 24.

SPRING AWAKENING is an unlikely fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll. A group of late nineteenth century German students navigate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in this quite daring and sometimes controversial show. Take seriously the posted warning “Contains adult language and themes.” When I saw it on Broadway, there were elements of sign language added, but the original version does not.

Dan Ringuette lends his talents as the music director for the Warner Stage production. While conductors are usually in a dark corner, Mr. Ringuette was lit throughout the two acts so that he could be on video for the musicians that sat on the two sides of the stage. I was mesmerized by his gentle conducting of the score and how he cued the singers with lyrics just in case. It isn’t often that I head straight to the pit after the curtain call, but I felt compelled to congratulate him on the beautiful music that he and the pit musicians contributed to this majestic show. Julie Hassler played the amazing cello score, Dan Porri was on upright bass behind the conductor and Mark Garthwait was excellent on guitar I with Meric Martin on guitar II.

Co-directors Katherine Ray and Sharon A. Wilcox clearly understood the weightiness of the subject matter and helped the mostly young cast navigate their character’s coming of age. Click the link above to listen to an interview with Ms. Ray and Amanda Friedman on Backstage with Eric. Because of the nature of the content of the show, the production team auditioned actors over the age of 16. By all reports, the two directors tread lightly with the adult members of the cast and more so with the two teens in the cast with parental permission.

The dedicated cast clearly worked very hard at perfecting the moves choreographed by Ms. Wilcox and the difficult melodies of the score. I love the music, don’t get me wrong, but some of the songs can’t be played on the radio. The actor’s performances were, without exception, heartbreakingly accurate and the audience hung on their every word, even when the plot became difficult to take. It is a powerful work, to say the least.

Katie Brunetto was a shining Wendla; from her first note of “Mama Who Bore Me,” she nailed the role. Congratulations to Ms. Brunetto on her recent graduation from the University of St. Joseph with her MAT and teaching certificate for Secondary English. Chet R. Davino, a graduate of Dean College’s School of the Arts, was equally as professional in the role of Melchior Gabor; he also served as fight choreographer.

The girls included Erica Blasko as Martha, Amanda Friedman (AVENUE Q at the Warner) as Anna, Josie Kulp as Thea, Paige Machincz, Pomperaug HS graduate (during the run) Lauren Stango and pianist Kelly White (Girl in ONCE, Molly in STARCATCHER at the Warner) as Ilse and she played piano stage right at times.The schoolboys included WCSU student Karl Hinger, Ethan Parsons as Hanschen/Rupert, WAMS student Michael Ramalho as Ernst/Reinhold in his Warner Stage debut, Noel Roberge (Guy in ONCE, Tommy in THE WHO’S TOMMY, Drew in ROCK OF AGES at the Warner) as Otto/Ulbrecht, Steffon Sampson (TOMMY) as Moritz, and the talented musician/actor Ruben Soto as George/Dieter and he played piano stage right.

All of the adult women were played by Lauren Jacob (THE WHO’S TOMMY, ROCK OF AGES, AMERICAN IDIOT, all at the Warner) and the adult men were covered by Griffin Kulp, a Dean College graduate. The supremely talented musician/actor Meric Martin played guitar II in the pit orchestra in costume so that he could come onstage as a boy/swing.

Credit for the beautiful tree concept, design and construction goes to Jameson H. Willey; it looked beautiful (there’s that adjective again) especially when lit from within, which he also designed. Stephen C. Houk worked with Mr. Willey and the co-directors to design the relatively simple set. Actors awaited their entrances on benches and chairs stage left and right. Costumes by Renee C. Purdy, who sat in my row on opening night, perfectly matched provincial Germany in the 1890s, right down to the button shoes.

SPRING AWAKENING easily fits on my list of don’t miss shows for the year. Because the musical is presented in the flipped Nancy Marine Studio Theatre with room for the pit musicians, tickets are somewhat limited, so don’t wait to try and secure them.

Postscript

Since opening night of SPRING AWAKENING was a day that I attended two shows in the northwest corner, I decided to get some dinner at Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza. I have walked by the restaurant many times since it opened two doors down from the Warner Theatre, but I have never had the opportunity to stop in.

The interior is rustic industrial and well-maintained. I was impressed with both the quality of the margherita pizza that I ordered and the courteous and attentive service I received. The pizza crust is thin and crunchy, the thin ribbons of basil were just perfect. The restaurant was packed and I was lucky to get a table immediately. Sasso’s offers seating both inside and out. Diners around me were enjoying all kinds of pizza, wings, and organic salads. There is a huge craft beer list offered as well.

My maiden name was Sasso; the business was named after the grandfather of one of the owners and it turns out that our families are not related.There is a promotion on the Warner Theatre ticket envelopes that offers 10% off your meal; next time I will remember to bring one with me. I recommend trying this delicious artisan pizza before your next show at the Warner. Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza is located at 52 Main Street in Torrington, CT.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417