20 years before the hit musical Spring Awakening opened on Broadway, I composed the score for a musical version of Spring Awakening which was produced as 2 readings at The Chelsea Theater Center with lyrics by Joel Beard and book by David Petrarca, Joel Beard and me.
It never occurred to us to make a rock musical out of it. That always feels like a real head slapper, “why didn’t I think of that” moment for me. Of course, it works as a rock musical. I don’t think it works any other way and I think Duncan Sheik was the perfect choice.
Instead, we set in it’s own time (late 19th century) and I used the opening phrase on the bassoon of Stravinsky’s “Rite Of Spring” as the basis and inspiration of the score.
Here’s a live recording made at the Chelsea Theater made during the second publicly staged reading.
- Opening The Chelsea Theater Center 1:18
- Homework The Chelsea Theater Center 2:37
- When I Have Children The Chelsea Theater Center 2:24
- Image Of Love The Chelsea Theater Center 2:37
- As If The Earth Revolved Around The Chelsea Theater Center 2:37
- When I Have Children 2 The Chelsea Theater Center 2:42
- Ballad Of Melchior The Chelsea Theater Center 1:45
- There's No Such Thing As Love The Chelsea Theater Center 7:59
- Homework 2 (the test) The Chelsea Theater Center 0:22
- Dear Moritz The Chelsea Theater Center 2:29
- Aritst, All Of Us The Chelsea Theater Center 2:37
- I Would Scream To Be You The Chelsea Theater Center 7:59
- Shooting Stars The Chelsea Theater Center 2:31
- Open A Window The Chelsea Theater Center 1:23
- Blameless The Chelsea Theater Center 2:21
- Spring Awakening 2 The Chelsea Theater Center 1:08
- Spirit And Grace The Chelsea Theater Center 2:29
- Suddenly The World Falls to Pieces The Chelsea Theater Center 2:55
- Hold Don't Give Up Now The Chelsea Theater Center 2:13
- Graveyard Scene The Chelsea Theater Center 5:12
- Crossover, Crossover The Chelsea Theater Center 1:57
- Just Ask The Chelsea Theater Center 1:11
- Finale The Chelsea Theater Center 3:18