Is Spring Awakening appropriate for a 14 yr old?

[jeffrey2]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:41am

Would SA be inappropriate for my 14 yr old daughter. She loves musicals, and has seen Rent many times. On TV I heard Rosie Odonnell raving, but say its for adults. Is there nudity? Any help would be appreciated

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:42am

There is nudity, homosexuality, simulated sex, masterbation, pregnancy, and a whole song about the word "f**k."

If you don't mind your daughter being exposed to that - go for it.
Updated On: 1/21/07 at 12:42 AM

[Boq101]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:44am

Go for it, she'll love you. I'm 15, and if my parents let me see it, I'd die. Just tell her first and have her listen to the music with you before seeing the show. The last tihng you want is for her to get embarrassed while seeing it with you. Make sure she's comfortable in such a situation.

[Boq101]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:44am

Go for it, she'll love you. I'm 15, and if my parents let me see it, I'd die. Just tell her first and have her listen to the music with you before seeing the show. The last tihng you want is for her to get embarrassed while seeing it with you. Make sure she's comfortable in such a situation.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:46am

It depends how mature she is.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:49am

Question about that masterbation scene. How graphic is that? My wife and I saw the picture of it in the booklet that came with the cast recording and we were like, "Oh . . . wow."

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:54am

A boy has his hand under his nightshirt. It's not nearly as graphic as the simulated sex scene.

The show is adult - no holds barred adult.

But when I was a kid, my parents took me to everything - they didn't censor - they simply explained and were open to any questions I had about what I had seen. I would have been very okay seeing SPRING AWAKENING at age 14. But it does depend on what the 14 year's maturity level is.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:54am

^ Can you scan the pic? Or describe it?

[kgallo]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:54am

I think most people would say that it would be appropriate but you should also consider the maturity level of your daughter...is she a young 14 or not? A lot of the fans of this show are teenagers themselves and if I'm not mistaken they are so taken with the show because they can relate to it directly. I personally loved this show and have recommended it to a dozen or so more people ages 16-50, and I am 29.

There is BRIEF nudity, but in my opinion it is done very tastefully. All of the other themes and topics that are included I would be almost sure that most 14 years olds are already aware of, and yes I am talking about the homosexuality, masturbation, pregnancy and the use of the "F" word!

The underlying message in this show is the adults' lack of trust in children. If the children were given honest answers to their honest questions, then maybe some of them would have faired better off. I do feel that this would be a great show to take your daughter, or son, to and use it as a segueway into discussing those very topics in your own way with your children.

Most importantly, keep in mind that everyone's personal taste and opinsions on these very delicate subject matters vary drastically. If YOU are not comfortable to view this with your child, then she may not be either. Listen to the music first and see how you feel about it. Use movies as a gauge...do you let her watch rated R films or not? We can all tell you what WE think but ultimately you know your daughter best!

I hope this helps. I hope you go for it and I hope you both enjoy it as much as I do!

[Corine2]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:55am

Depends on how mature she is. I would go with your wife first and judge. You could always take her after you see the show.
It is worth seeing multiple times. (I adore it)

[kgallo]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:56am

"Question about that masterbation scene. How graphic is that? My wife and I saw the picture of it in the booklet that came with the cast recording and we were like, "Oh . . . wow." "

Pretty much all that you see on stage is what you already saw in that picture. There is dialogue and music mixed in, but no clothes come off or anything like that if that's what you're worried about!

Updated On: 1/21/07 at 12:56 AM

[teka21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:20am

CAREFUL: SPOILERS BELOW

It depends on the individual 14 year old and parent. It is a show that explores the delights of sexual discovery, and pain and dangers of growing up uninformed and unsupported. It is both dark and joyous- there are sexual situations that are honest but never lurid or vulgar. SA can certainly be uncomfortable at times, especially when experienced next to your parent or teen, and that is the very point it makes- sexual awakening makes both teens, parents and communities ill at ease. It is a great jumping off point for much needed dialogue between parents and teens.
There is very brief nudity during 2 love scenes with simulated sex (male's rear end and female's breast), and a kiss between two boys. There is a song sung by 2 girls about sexual and physical abuse by their fathers, a suicide following failure in school, a funny portrayal of masturbation in the bathroom (simulated under a male's nightshirt.) There is an unintended pregnancy and a botched abortion...
I think that seeing the show with a small group of parents who sit separately from their group of teens is ideal. Lots of valuable conversations should follow!
I think this wonderful show offers as much to adults as it does to teens, but is not appropriate for younger children at all.
Updated On: 1/21/07 at 01:20 AM

[liotte]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:23am

Wow Teka, you just spoiled the entire show.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:26am

"Wow Teka, you just spoiled the entire show"

You could say that. I am 14 and I could definitely be able to handle this show when I was thirteen. But it does come down to your child's maturity level. This is coming from someone's who's very mature for their age.

[teka21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:31am

No, I actually left a few scenes out- but I'll be happy to add SPOILERS to my post. I think a parent should know what to expect in order to make this decision. I guess it bothers me that some people make a big deal about the nudity and simulated sex, and don't see the issue of abuse and suicide as a potential concern for vulnerable teens.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:44am

I would spare your daughter the horribly awkward feelings that will come with wathing the simulated sex and masturbations scenes with her parent next to her. I certainly think a mature teen could handle the material in a respectable way. They probably would rather choose to see it alone or with their peers.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:56am

I saw the show on the final night of previews Off-Broadway at the Atlantic. I walked away from this show simply elated from the music I heard. It has its flaws but at 45 years old, it took me back to my teen years when I was experiencing the same things the characters in this show are experiencing. I don't think it is so much how mature your daughter is, I think it is more like, are YOU ready to converse honestly about the show and its content. If you are, go! Your daughter will probably understand and relate to the show, it is up to you to be able to have an honest, open and healthy conversation with her afterwards. JMO

[kgallo]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 2:03am

"I don't think it is so much how mature your daughter is, I think it is more like, are YOU ready to converse honestly about the show and its content. If you are, go! Your daughter will probably understand and relate to the show, it is up to you to be able to have an honest, open and healthy conversation with her afterwards."

I agree with this 100%, but if your daughter is a very childish 14 year old then she may not be ready to see it with you yet, however if she is more mature and open with you normally, then go for it. It all depends on the two of you and your relationship. I have a 15 year old sister who I would probably not take to this but only because of her own apprehensions, although I promised one of her friends I would take her if it was okay with her mother. No two people or situations are the same, so use your judgement.

And uncageg, I think one of the main reasons that I love this show so much is that it completely brings me back in time, just like you said!

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 2:13am

And I will add that this young lady has seen RENT many times. If she has seen, liked/likes and can handle RENT, Spring Awakening should be no problem! No offense to the original poster, but after reading that she has seen RENT many times, the question may not be "can she handle it?" as much as "can you handle seeing it with her"!

It is a wonderful piece of theatre and I think that with such a young cast, young people should see it. Not only for the subject matter but also to see people close to their own age on stage performing. And doing it well!

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 2:16am

And a third note...! Don't listen to the music beforehand. See it fresh.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 2:47am

the entire point of the show is lost if we don't let the youth see the shows about the youth

[gustof777]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 2:52am

exactly...go see it and take kids with. They will love it! It's very interesting to see how moved kids are by the show

[educator06]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:17am

I wish I would have seen a show like this when I was 14. My parents told me nothing. Fumble, fumble, oh yeah, ok thats it, no wait a minute thats not right, whoops, oh God what was that, oh mother of God, no no not that, yes thats it , oh no wait, oh now I get it, I think I get it, I don't get it, well maybe I do?

Nevermind, Jimmy from down the street just told me everything I need to know.
Updated On: 1/21/07 at 10:17 AM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:25am

First to counter uncagreg-
SA is NOTHING like RENT. RENT does deal with the heavy topic of AIDs, and some slight drug abuse, and an abstract sexual moment, but for the most part stays on the light side. RENT was also bette r (IMO).

Honestly, I wouldn't take a 14 y/o to it...granted I wouldn't take myself to it, but I'm mildly biased. I go to the theatre for entertainment, and while I do enjoy darker things (The Goat remains one of my favorite plays, ever), SA is just too much. And it's not the sex, I can handle that, but the date rape at the end of Act 1 (That's what it is, she says no, he follows through), the double suicide, the abuse are a lil close to home for me, and are not entertainment. If I had not been with a friend when we saw it, who had paid for my seat, I would have left at intermission. Bear in my mind her maturity, and there is nothing wrong with being a parent and saying, "No I don't want her exposed to it like this." However, your call.

[actor]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:29am

Rent is entirely different from SA. The sexual aspect of Rent is much more vague. Rent focuses more on the message to live every day to its fullest, etc. SA is much more upfront in your face about it. Know you child. Can she handle it? Can you handle sitting there with her, or will you cringe?