The rock musical “Spring Awakening” is making its debut on Oakland University’s campus — thanks to the department of music, theatre and dance.

The play — based on Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play of the same name — will run Thursday, Nov.8 to Sunday, Nov. 18.

A musical, the play takes place in late19th century Germany, focusing on the consequences of living in a repressive society, circling around teenage characters and the relationships they have with their parents and each other.

“Rock musicals are on Broadway and have been for the last 20 years,” said Fred Love, associate professor and director said. “Rock is such a significant apart of Broadway right now and students need to be able to get a feel for that genre.”

The play, performed by MTD students, covers many taboo subjects, including teen sex, abortion, drug use, incest, homosexuality, masturbation and self mutilation to name a few.

“It’s a lot of taboo subjects that parents may not want to talk about,” Love said. “Just as these were issues in 1896, we are faced with the same issues today.”

First time for everything

Love said his goal throughout the performances is remaining true to Frank Wedekind’s original play, but at the same time reaching out to the contemporary audience of 2012.

“It’s a strange co-mingling of both worlds, while the actors are all in period costumes from 1896, the singing is in today’s teenage language,” Love said.

Grace Griffen, a senior musical theater major, will play the character Wendla — one of the lead female roles — in the musical. Griffen said it is the biggest role she’s played at OU.

“It is a lot of work and it is a different style of music than what I’m use to,” Griffen said.

She said learning the music was the transition.

“I’ve been listening to the soundtrack since it came out back in the early 2000s,” she said.

Getting into Character

Laura Camposeo, a senior theater design and technology major with an emphasis in lighting, is the lighting designer for this production and said a typical day of work depends on the basic mood of the play.

Camposeo said many things may both disturb and make the audience think, but it’s a message that needs to be heard.

Sam Rohloff, a senior musical theater major, plays Melchior — the leading male role.

“Melchior is kind of different from me in a sense that he’s really intellectual and intuitive,” Rohloff said. “His character may be a bit younger, but I’m a young-hearted person so it really wasn’t hard for me to get into the role.”

The awakening

Although the show comments on some tough life lessons, it is meant to have a positive, uplifting impact, Camposeo said.

Love said he hopes both students and parents will appreciate the message.

“Teen suicide was very common in the19th century — and we (parents) cannot rely on school, education or religion to teach our children everything they need to know to survive in the world,” Love said.

The play concentrates on the importance of direction during youth.

“In ‘Spring Awakening’, it’s a society where no one tells you how to grow up,” Rohloff said. “What would happen if we were not told what to do? I think that’s the biggest message.”

Tickets are $18 for general admission and $10 for student or matinee shows.

For more information about “Spring Awakening” or to purchase tickets visit the Varner box office, Student Activities service window or www.oakland.edu/tickets