A Web Site For Toronto Mommies

Published April 3, 2009 @ 10:33 by Tania in Amazing Kids

Saw it. Loved it. Amazing. Need I say more?

Of course I will!

Spring Awakening is currently playing at the Canon Theater in Toronto. In case you haven't heard of it, here is some information from the website:

SPRING AWAKENING takes its inspiration from one of literature's most controversial masterpieces - a work so daring in its depiction of teenage self-discovery, it was banned from the stage and not performed in its complete form in English for nearly 100 years.

It's Germany, 1891. A world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body, and wonders aloud where babies come from, till Mama tells her to shut it, and put on a proper dress.

Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy Moritz - a boy so traumatized by puberty he can't concentrate on anything. Not that the Headmaster cares. He strikes them both and tells them to turn in their lesson.

One afternoon - in a private place in the woods - Melchior and Wendla meet by accident, and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they've ever felt.

As they fumble their way into one another's arms, Moritz flounders and soon fails out of school. When even his one adult friend, Melchior's mother, ignores his plea for help, he is left so distraught he can't hear the promise of life offered by his outcast friend Ilse.

Naturally, the Headmasters waste no time in pinning the "crime" of Moritz's suicide on Melchior and expel him. And soon Mama learns her little Wendla is pregnant. Now the young lovers must struggle against all odds to build a world together for their child.

It is a teen drama, with abuse, incest, suicide, sexual awakening, teen pregnancy, abortion, homosexuality, run away, and alcohol abuse. Sounds a little heavy? It's not. I found it beautiful. The most amazing thing is that it was written in the 1890s! Brought to life for today's teen with a great score that I actually bought on my way out. (WARNING: There is profanity, sexuality, and a little nudity - really nothing more than plumber's butt.)

Yesterday I also received my Maclean's, with the headline OMG!!! What Happened to Teenagers? The articles look at how teens are doing in Canada, based on a survey called, "Project Teen Canada."

If you are a parent of a teen, go and see Spring Awakening and pick up this week's Maclean's. It will give you the ability to talk to them about so many issues, as well as remind you of what they are going through. I think you will be optimistic about this stressful and challenging time.