Bonn Park surprises with a dark Spring Awakening” in the theater!

Bonn Park surprises with a dark Spring Awakening” in the theater!

On January 16, 2026, the revision of Frank Wedekind's classic “Spring Awakening” celebrated its premiere at the Junges Theater Bonn. Staged by Bonn Park, the play has taken a refreshing turn: in this new version there are four dead people, compared to just two in the 1891 original. The stage, creatively designed by Julia Nussbaumer, features a yellow slide and small coffins, providing an exciting visual contrast to the serious subject matter.

The production addresses major themes, such as the lack of education in sexual matters, which was central to Wedekind's work. Five amateurs around 80 years old take on the children's roles, while two acting professionals, Caroline Cousin and Valentin Stückl, play the mothers and teachers. This multiplication of generations makes the audience think about the boundaries between young and old.

A call for enlightenment

Park's interpretation of the original uses subtle irony instead of harsh sarcasm. The children's characters are anything but shy and utter modern sayings like "I'm cool" and "Do you want to make out?" This adulthood of the children is in stark contrast to the relatively young adults who act as teachers and mothers. The generation reversal is not implemented entirely consistently, but that brings additional material for discussion.

A recurring theme that runs through the depiction is the call for children to “join the army” and become “iron.” This is particularly notable as it reflects current societal debates about threats and defense preparedness. The piece has a running time of 1 hour and 25 minutes without an intermission.

A timeless work

Wedekind's original work criticized the bourgeois morality of his time and addressed the challenges faced by young people in relation to sexuality. At a time when education and communication between generations are often neglected, the piece remains shockingly relevant. It talks about the desire for physical closeness and the ignorance of adults that harms young people. The timeless drama is also seen as a cry against social repression and thus captivates many.

The musical, which is based on the original work, will particularly appeal to fans of rock music from the 2000s, which is now also being performed at the Junges Theater Bonn. The musical direction is by Ekaterina Klewitz, while the production is by Bernard Niemeyer. The premiere of the musical is scheduled for April 25, 2025, which is already being eagerly awaited.

With a variety of participants, including Petra Lehmann, Hartmut Misgeld, Gregor Russ, Maria Pehe, Brigitte Fieber, Thorsten Drücker, and also the youth choir of the Young Theater, the audience is spoiled both visually and musically. Live music accompanies the performances and brings the piece to life, performed by a talented band.

For anyone interested, tickets for the musical are now available for purchase at the Junges Theater Bonn. Whether as a joint project or as an individual performance, “Spring Awakening” in its new facet definitely brings a breath of fresh air to the theater.

You can find more information in the detailed reports from Night review, Theater Bonn as well as in the comprehensive analysis Academia.edu.