Spring Awakening is the only entry in this article that manages to outperform Rent when it comes to the delivery of soul-crushing moments. Set in Germany in the late 19th Century, this musical follows the teenagers Melchior, Moritz and Wendla as well as their fellow classmates as they struggle to understand their blossoming sexual urges, as well as attempt to find empathy from the adults that surround them. While the children do at first find ways in which to vent their frustrations, they are gradually suppressed by their teachers and parents, with tragic results. The staging of sexual acts both heterosexual and homosexual between underage participants has brought unease to certain audiences, yet it is the unfair consequences that the characters suffer for their acts that is the catalyst for the musicals most confronting moments. By the time the musical ends, Moritz has committed suicide due to his abuse at the hands of his father, Wendla has died during an illegal abortion that she was physically forced into, and all the adults responsible have left the blame on Melchior a rather heartbreaking fall from what seemingly began as a regular coming-of-age story. However, what this musical does better than any other on this list is the blending of comedy throughout what is obviously an incredibly dark narrative. For every disturbed moment that Spring Awakening explores there is also a moment of great humour or sweetness, dedicating as much time to the moments of fantasy and awkwardness that everybody remembers from puberty as it does to the tragic message of understanding and empathy. Considering almost the entire cast of characters are teenagers, this musical is at its core a nostalgia trip a warning for all adults who have forgotten the passions of youth. Winning 8 Tony Awards, 4 Olivier Award, 4 Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy Award, this musical deserves every accolade that it has received. If Spring Awakening is performed anywhere in your hometown, go and buy tickets immediately - if not for the story then at least for the modern rock soundtrack, which contains such brilliance as The Bitch of Living, My Junk, Touch Me and Totally F*cked.
A writer, actor, teacher and musician from New South Wales, Australia. His first play/musical "Hipster Apocalypse: A Zombie Cabaret" will be hitting the stage in Wollongong, Australia later this year. If you have any questions or just want to chat, you can contact Bradley on Facebook, Twitter and Google+
