Spring Awakening

For all you theatre queens, run - don't walk - to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre to check out "Spring Awakening". It's the most intelligent, well crafted new musical to hit Broadway since "Ragtime" in 1998. It especially stands out given the current state of Broadway, what with the revolving door of failed musical hollywood adaptations (ahem, 14 performances for "High Fidelity") and craptastic jukebox musicals ("The Times They Are A-Changin'" being the most recent example).

"Spring Awakening" has book and lyrics are by Steven Sater, with music by Duncan Sheik (he of "Barely Breathing" pop fame). Check out the website for more info. I was sitting through the show a few weeks back doped up on cold medicine and feeling like hell in a handbasket, and still managed to love it. And if you have a chance, check it out soon. I say this because it's probably too intelligent to have a long run. The subject matter renders it not a show for the repressed Ohio set or the Sunday matinee bridge and tunnel crowd seeking harmless escapism. But maybe I don't give the general public enough credit - "Rent" has run for years and isn't exactly about line-kicking spoons or dancing cats.