Spring Awakening was Frank Wedekind's first play. He had it published at his own expense in 1891, but it was not performed until Wedekind started his own repertory company in 1906. The first production in the United States took place in 1912, but since the play was in German, it failed to attract widespread interest. Its performances have always been dogged by controversy, given its violent and sexual subject matter.
Even today the play is considered controversial, though it is widely respected, and many feel a need to defend Wedekind's choices with a variety of strategies. Supporters claim that the play is fundamentally autobiographical, and at the very least is supported by historical...
