Isn’t it great to live in a community that isn’t afraid to express themselves creatively thru art! Spring Awakening

[tonytonytony]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 3:08pm

Good art is controversial. It's not always supposed to be pretty, but rather reflect life in ways that make people think and talk about the issue it's representing, which Spring Awakening now entering its final performances this weekend at Highland Park High School (IL)is obviously doing.

Expressing art! I was fortunate to see the original Spring Awakening on Broadway with Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff and I remember thinking about how thought provoking the story was and what a lesson in history. I found it fascinating that the story speaks from an era when most topics weren’t discussed with children, and how kids eventually figured things out. It has many dark themes, yet ones that still remain prevalent in today’s society.

I say a major Bravo to director Scott Shallenbarger and the entire cast of the Highland Park High School production of Spring Awakening. Not only was the performance filled with talented actors and incredible staging, but also provided a platform for kids to talk openly about the topics that are yes controversial but very real in our own community!

Remember Art imitates Life!

Isn’t it great to live in a community that isn’t afraid to express themselves creatively thru art!

Don’t miss the final performances!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 3:16pm

ok

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 3:18pm

And who did you play?

[IAMWHATIAM]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 3:20pm

Ok, Mr. Shillenbarger

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 3:24pm

Must be awkward for the one dad watching his 16 y/o daughter do her topless scene...

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 9:10pm

Wait, a high school did SPRING AWAKENING?

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 12:18am

Is this the same Highland Park production that got a thumbs down from Brantley?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 12:21am

I personally adore topics that are yes controversial and art that is not pretty.

Thank you for sharing and expressing art.

ETA Can I just say how bummed I am the last performance was on Sunday. And how grateful I am to find the opening paragraph in the high school paper about the production:

For every generation, there’s a musical that defines the spirit and struggle of that population. Be it “Hairspray” in the 1980s or “Rent” in the 1990s, there’s always that one production that speaks directly to a generation.

Updated On: 5/6/14 at 12:21 AM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 6:59am

That's nice but Beacon School did this 2 years ago.

1st NYC Revival

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:43am

Highland Park does some impressive theater for a high school. I wouldn't mind seeing this. But I worked in HP for a year and there has never been a bigger collection of awful beings on the face of the earth as these creatures residing in this over privileged hamlet. I am convinced it is, in fact, the hellmouth.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:53am

Fun fact: The movie "Mean Girls" was based on a non-fiction book describing the awful behavior of girls at Highland Park High School.