Ignorance Leads to Tragedy (Bunbury Youth Artists)
Jan 16
3 min read
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Spring Awakening
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Directed by Sharon Kinnison
Review by Kate Barry
Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
A young boy gains knowledge. Going against the status quo and the harsh community he is a part of, he shares this information with his peers. A chain of unspeakable events follows, changing him forever. In Spring Awakening, children face harsh realities and truths while ignorance leads to tragedy. Bunbury Young Artists premier production of the rock musical is raw and tender, using a high school and middle school aged cast.
The ensemble is most notable about this production. With a teen agers mosh pit, moments of yearning, strong emotions never felt before and complex desires, the action occurring on stage mirrors the life of adolescents in any era. There are no feeds or tik tok yet the concepts of secrets, boundaries, shame and consent ring true now more than ever. Songs like “My Junk” and “Bitch of Living” are lighter pop explorations of having a crush and sexual frustration. While “Touch Me” and “The Dark I Know Well” carry a weighted honesty. These songs are sung soulfully by an ensemble that are currently living and feeling what they sing about to a significantly palpable extent.
Spring Awakening centers on Melchior (Finnegan Broyles) and his childhood friends Moritz (Everan McCartan) and Wendla (a role double cast with Anna Schmidt playing the part opening night). Broyles lend a clean tenor to his Melchior with a contemplative “Mirror-Blue Night.” Seemingly rebellious to the adults in his community, Broyles fuels his Melchior with a relentless curiosity for the knowledge he is not provided. His constant search for answers eventually backs him into a figurative corner where he leads the cast in a spirited version of “Totally F*cked,” a song that is cathartic with a punk rock edge.
Where Broyles’ Melchior grows in confidence with his knowledge, Everan McCartan’s Moritz is troubled by what he learns about sexuality. “Haunted by strange dreams,” McCartan is not afraid to portray a young boy uncomfortable in his own skin. “I don’t do sadness” sees McCartan’s emotional breaking point as his Melchoir feels he has run out of options after failing school. On the verge of a tragic end, McCartan is met by Ilse, a run away and former friend played by Sophie Mudd on opening night. They share a duet of “Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind” that is heartbreaking followed by McCartan’s deeply vulnerable “So Dark” speech.
The show opens with Wendla, mesmerized by her changing body. Anna Schmidt’s Wendla is a performance wise beyond her years. Empathetic yet sheltered, this is a Wendla who wants so much more. Schmidt’s “Mama who bore me” and the reprise lay an emotional foundation for the rest of the play as Wendla begs her mother to teach her about how life is created. When realization and truth pack a punch, Wendla learns of her own pregnancy providing for a powerful and moving version of “Whispering.”
Spring Awakening does not shy away from depictions of sex, abuse or suicide. The original work by Frank Wendekind, which the musical is based on, was originally banned after all. And with an ensemble of teens, Bunbury Young Artist’s production is as fearless as it is heartbreaking.
Spring Awakening
Bunbury Young Artists
January 15-17 2026
January 21-25 2026
MEx Theatre at the Kentucky Center
501 West Main Street
Louisville KY 40202
