"Spring Awakenings" and "Wake of Dorcas Kelly"

"Spring Awakenings" at performed at The Vogel at the Basie Center is a classic musical performed on Broadway and countless regional theaters across America is a 1891 German play with the same title by Frank Wedekind. Set in late 19th Century Germany it tells of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality.

Phoenix Productions, under the direction of James Grausam and musical direction by Jason Neri, the show hits all the senses... from laughter to sadness and the remembrance of once being young. The kids are alright until parents and adult figures get involved and then things begin to go array.

With a small but deft setting, the romantic lighting sets the mood for what is for the most part a great evening. The young actors are all sufficient (at times difficult to hear), the singing and dancing entertains throughout the just under two hour intermission less show.

"Spring Awakenings" with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik when first presented on Broadway won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. The stage at The Vogel had a similar setting- open, yet with the feeling that makes the show intimate enough to look in on these players who struggle with life and its rules.

What makes this show so unique is the different individual quandaries that each deals with. Mort Steeple is a young man who does not have the brains to be at a private school but he loves his friends especially Melchior who is the brightest and could care less about anything other than his love interest Gwendala. Boy's and Girl's who deal with their sexuality... hetro and homo, they move through the wake of society as best they can.

As the show moves into a deeper darker atmosphere we feel for these children; navigating the waters, some end up dead, some permanently scared for life. This performance was deep and moving. Under crisp direction with outstanding musicians these young actors belt out memorable tunes and the entire evening works very well.

"The Wake of Dorcas Kelly".

In this Gothic/Absurdist play set in Dublin City, Ireland, Sara Fellini gives us at times a raucous adventure about a brothel that has its fair share of heartache and adventure. Riots have inflamed the city, Dorcas Kelly, the madam of Maiden Towers has just been hanged and burned. As she lays in her brothel for all to come and pay their respects, this is when all hell breaks loose... from a drunken priest to two of the best paying customers, three of the prostitutes explain to the audience the life that they have individually led.

Florence Scagliarini has created a marvelous set as well as great sound design. She is very adept in creating and giving us a great feel to this play and she brings the action up close and personal. At times the actors were difficult to hear but her sound was felt loudly and as such, made this show work well. The Players Theater has always given off a Gothic vibe (stinky old carpets and all), so "Dorcas Kelly" has the feel, it blends with this old theater on MacDougal St.

Spit & Vigor which produced this show was founded in 2015 and is devoted to new plays as well as existing work. "Dorcas Kelly" gives the audience a roller coaster ride of a story; one which is both effective and articulate. The acting is very good sans the low volume at times. Irina Kaplan and Florence Scagliarini have wonderful singing voices and all of the actors have great accents. Nicholas Thomas, Adam Belvo and Eamon Murphy supply plenty of comedic moments throughout the ninety minutes.

As far as the Absurdist's genre goes, "Dorcas" will keep you entertained and laughing throughout the evening. The show was very professionally done from beginning to end.

The show runs till July 25th at The Players Theater 115 MacDougal St. Masks are required inside the theater but are not strictly enforced.

The play is written by Sara Fellini and is directed by Sara Fellini.

The cast:

Irina Kaplan, Florence Scagliarini, Nicolas Thomas, Adam Belvo, Eamon Murphy, Kyra Jackson, Phoebe Mar Halkowich, Peter Oliver, Ducer Jia.

Robert Massimi is the Chief Drama Critic for Metropolitan Magazine, Nimbus Magazine, Times Square Chronicles, My Life Publications, and National Review.