Is Spring Awakening appropriate for a 14 yr old?- Page 2

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:41am

I say no, take her to Beauty and the Beast since it will be closing soon and it is the best show on Broadway. SA will just poison her mind and make her think that she is supposed to be doing those kind of things (sex, masterbation, etc.) just because she's a teen. DEFINETELY NO!

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:41am

PS: This is coming from a 14-year-old so I know what I'm talking about.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:48am

husk_charmer...My comment had nothing to do with which is better, and I liked them both equally as much, it was to compare the themes in both. As far as things being a "lil to close to home for you", I found RENT to be close to home for me as I have lost a lot of friends to AIDS. I guess you have not been affected by this epidemic so you can just consider the show "entertainment". Both shows hit on relevent subjects that I am sure hit close to home for many people attending the shows. And I think that is what they mean to do and That was part of my point. If this young lady can handle (And see multiple times) AIDS, a drugged out exotic dancer, a drag queen dying of AIDS, that "abstract group sex moment" and homosexuality then I think she can handle and understand SA.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:54am

uncageg-
I still disagree, I may be young, but that doesn't mean AIDs hasn't affected me. I find the show to be "entertainment" becuase I don't want to slit my wrists at the end of it like I did SA. My comparison between the two was in the way it's presented. You know Mimi is a druggie, but you never see her physically do the drugs. That's tasteful. You know the characters are having sex by the rhytmic lyrics and the sheet, but you do not see the nudity, you do not see the act. That's tasteful. In Spring Awakening not only do you see the sex, but you witness a rape. At that point it looses taste to me, and seases being entertaining in any form. It was very disturbing for me, and for a lot of people around me. Just because someone can handle RENT, doesn't mean that SA is a good idea.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:56am

Maybe I am cynical but the very fact that you are asking the question indicates some reservations about taking your daughter to see this. But maybe you should discuss it with her, and see what she thinks - she is old enough to have an opinion and a preference, and if she decides that she wants to see it and then doesn't like it, you won't have to take the grief for it. If she likes it, you gave her the opportunity to discuss it, so she has good time and will thank you for it.

[Parks]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:11am

I went to see this show by myself--and I'm not going to lie--I was a little uncomfortable at 17. I definitely would not have been ready for this at 14 or even 15. I saw RENT when I was 15, and found that to have some pretty risque stuff. This show just really caught me off guard. It's a beautiful show, but like people have said, it is for adults. If you warn your daughter that there is nudity, it will probably make it slightly less awkward. I didn't know there was nudity prior to seeing it.

As everyone has said, it all depends on how mature she is.

[educator06]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:15am

Here is a link to a pre-view video of Spring Awakening.
Spring Awakening Pre View Video

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:15am

Husk_charmer,

Then we must agree to disagree. No we didn't see her do drugs, but we know throughout the show that she has a bad habit. As far as the "date rape" in SA, I think some people look at that in different ways. On the evening I saw it, it did not come off as a rape as much as two inexperienced kids having sex for the first time. And I think it was portrayed pretty realistically. Whatever happened with you to make you not like SA, well, I am sorry that it hits home like it does. But try losing your best friend in the world to AIDS and then shortly thereafter going to see RENT and bawling your eyes out during the reprise of "I'll Cover You". Or try having your brother become addicted to drugs and contracting AIDS and dying and seeing RENT. (Both of which happened to me) My point is, again, that both shows hit on subjects that not just kids but a lot of people in general have experienced or maybe know people who have experienced them. And both shows deal with them head on. I know of a lot of people that did not like RENT because "They didn't want to sit in a theatre for two hours and watch a show about AIDS" (And I am quoting them there) OK, you do not like SA. It is evident that you are a RENT fan. But because YOU could not handle SA does not mean this young lady can't. And if the original poster knows their 14 year old, they should know if the teen can handle the show.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:16am

I think that I would have been fine seeing it when I was 14, but I don't think that I would have fine seeing it with my father sitting next to me. I don't think that I could ever see it with my father sitting next to me. It'd be way too awkward.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:30am

"I say no, take her to Beauty and the Beast since it will be closing soon and it is the best show on Broadway. SA will just poison her mind and make her think that she is supposed to be doing those kind of things (sex, masterbation, etc.) just because she's a teen. DEFINETELY NO!"

What the hell? Lizzya9 is in her own little Disney world and does not like SA just because "Lea Michele said a cuss word on the podcast." Lizzy is immature and doesn't know what she is talking about. I don't know what type of world you are living in because sex and abortion are still relevant issues today. Your parents must really shelter you.

[broadwaybaby77]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:35am

From what I've heard, read, and seen, I think that SA is a lot darker than Rent. It really all depends on your daughter, but I know my parents would not have taken me to see this show when I was 14, and I was a mature 14. I would say either wait a while if you're going to go with your daughter, or go see it first and make the decision for yourself.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:46am

Yes

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:47am

So the poster has no answer yet?

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:48am

Jeffrey, the original poster, has not responded to any of our posts. Here is a question for jeffrey.....Have you had "the talk" with your 14 year old? Is your 14 year old uncomfortable when the subject of sex is brought up? I agree that if you are not sure, then see it before you take your 14 year old. But, again, if you think your daughter is mature enough to handle the subjects in the show, take her. And I know it can be uncomfortable for both parent and child to sit through the show, but could this possibly be because there has been no open dialogue between these parents and kids about the subjects approached in the show? And if that is the case, maybe the show will help open up conversation.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:50am

My father couldn't handle sitting next to me at RENT when I was 21...lol.

Personally, I'm hesitant about anyone under the age of 16 seeing this show.

However, I think the best advice in this post was to have the parents see it first and then decide if it's right for their 14 yr old.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 11:54am

Well it depends on the type of relationship you have with your daughter. Some people are not comfortable watching shows with their parents while some are. It varies.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:03pm

Look there is no question about it, I don't see WTF everyone is arguing about. It is completly apropriate. I am 12 years old, true i must say I am a pretty mature 12 y/o but it was perfectly fine for me. There was one small part where I was slightly uncomfortable The Masturbation scene) but besides that it was totally fine

[BrunetteBombshell]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 12:27pm

I'm fourteen [almost fifteen] and I think I can handle Spring Awakening. I'm trying to get my mom to take me, but she's leery about it.

So it's ultimately up to you to decide if you're ready to see it with her, and if she's mature enough to see it. Updated On: 1/22/07 at 12:27 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:22pm

I just think that we in the US have become so terribly "PC" (Politically correct) that now we have to question a show like this. A show that deals with the reality of what kids went through, are going through and will continue to go through. But now we "can't say that", "can't show this", "That will offend people"...Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah! I am 45 years old. I used to watch shows like the Jeffrson's and All in the Family. And I watched them with my family. 3/4 of the stuff on shows in the 70's would never make it onto tv today because it is not "PC". It is sad when people can't see a show these days, that deals with reality, without feeling uncomfortable. And it is even more sad that a parent feels uncomfortable sitting with their child during such a show. Talk to your kids. Be open with them. Let them know they can ask you ANYTHING. And be ready to answer them. Not just about sex, drugs, homosexuality but everything. A LOT of parents don't have that kind of relationship with their kids. And I think moreso today with what we see going on in our schools and on the streets, parents need to be more aware and involved with their kids. Young kids today are going through the same things a lot of us older people went through, only now it involves guns and knives. I have over the years worked with youths. These kids are not stupid. And for the most part they know more than we think. Do what Wendla's mother didn't do in the show!!! (Ok...I am done...for now!)

[Lizzya9]

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

Of course she is mature enough, but I'm just saying it's not like it has a good message or anything. And becoz, that's not the reason I don't like it. You need to get over the past and move on. I don't think anyone under 18 should see it, because if they are a good kid and don't do the stuff in the show, if they see it they might think "wait, am I supposed to be going through this stuff?". Rosie was correct in saying it is not for adolescents, only for adults who want to think about and remember their adolescence or who have kids. I recommend you forget this idea and see another great show like A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast, or Wicked. Your child will love those shows a lot more and those shows are a lot more enjoyable and not so depressing. And again, I am 14, so I know what I'm talking about.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:29pm

Oh yeah, cause seeing Spring Awakening would TOTALLY make me want to go right out and bang 3 random guys.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:29pm

^ NOT TRUE!! If anyone should be seeing this show is is adolescents!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:35pm

I'm going to say no, not because they won't be able to handle or understand it, but because teenagers I think have a tendency to glamorize the relationships portrayed. Which is unhealthy.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:41pm

I'm going to have to go with StephenSondheim on this one. I could have completely handled this how when I was twelve because I have always bee mature for my age. I'm barely 14 so I should know.
Updated On: 1/21/07 at 01:41 PM

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:54pm

There are many different scenarios in this show. The pressures of being a good student, dealing with hormones, having troubles with your parents, etc. Just because you're not out there masturbating or having sex doesn't mean you cannot relate to anything in this show.