Libreto spring awakening

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

Wendla is revealed in song light, as if at a mirror. She gently explores her newly maturing body, pulls on a near-transparent schoolgirl dress.
WENDLA:

Mama who bore me.
Mama who gave me
No way to handle things. Who made me so sad.
Mama, the weeping.
Mama, the angels.
No sleep in Heaven, or Bethlehem.
Some pray that, one day, Christ will come a-callin ~ Theylight a candle, and hope that it glows. And some just lie there, crying for him to come and find them. But when he comes, they don't know how to go . .. Mama who bore me. Mama who gave me No way to handle things. Who made me so bad.

15

STEVEN SATER

SPRING AWAKENING

Mama, the weeping.
Mama, the angels.
No sleep in Heaven, or Bethlehem.
(The lights shift to the world of 1891: aprovincial German living room. Frau Bergman suddenly enters, beaming.)
Wendla!
Mama?
FRAU BERGMAN: Goodness, look at you-in that . . . that
kindergarten dress! Wendla, grown-up girls cannot be seen strutting about in suchWENDLA: Let me wear thi.s one, Mama! I love this one. It makes me feel like a little ... faerie-queen. FRAU BERGMAN: But you're already ... in bloom. (Off her look) Now,sssh. You made me forget all our good news. Just imagine, Wendla, last night the stork finally visited your sister. Brought her another little baby girl. WENDLA: I can't wait to see her, Mama. FRAU BERGMAN: Well, put on a proper dress, and take a hat.
FRAU BERGMAN: WENDLA:

Very well, I'll tell you everything. But not today. Tomorrow. Or the day after. WENDLA: Today, Mama. FRAU BERGMAN: WendlaBergman, I simply cannot ... WENDLA: Mama! FRf\U BERGMAN: You will drive me mad. WENDLA: Why? I'll kneel at your feet, lay my head in your lap ... You can talk as i.f I weren't even here.
FRAU BERGMAN:

(No response.) Please.
FRAU BERGMAN:

Very well, I'll tell you.

(Wendla kneels. Flustered, Frau Bergman buries the girl's head in her apron.)
(Waits): Yes? . Child, I . WENDLA: Mama. FRAUBERGMAN: All right, then. In order for a woman to con­ ceive a child ... You follow me? WEND LA: Yes, Mama. FRAU BERGMAN: For a woman to bear a child, she must ... in her own personal way, she must ... love her husband. Love him, as she can love only him. Only him ... she must love-with her whole ... heart. There. Now, you know everything. WENDLA: Everything? ... FRAU BERGMAN ("Yes"): Everything. Sohelp me. WENDLA (Not budging): Mama!
WENDLA

FRAU BERGMAN:

(Wendla starts out, hesitates.)
WENDLA:

Mama, don't be cross-don't be. But I'm an aunt for the second time now, and I still have no idea how it happens.

(Frau Bergman looks stricken.)
Mama, please. I'm ashamed to even ask. But then, who can I ask but you? FRAU BERGMAN: Wendla, child, you cannot imagine that I could ­ WENDLA:But you cannot imagine I still believe in the stork. FRAU BERGMAN: I honestly don't know what I've done to deserve this kind of talk. And on a day like today! Go, child, put your clothes on. WENDLA: And if I run out, now, and ask Gregor? Our chimney sweep ... ?
(A beaU

(The lights shift-we are back in the song world. Contemp­ orary music sounds. The Girls appear. Wendla rises and joins them.Shedding her nineteenth-century formality, she sings, as do all the Girls, in the manner of a contemporary young woman.)

16

17

STEVEN SATER

SPRING AWAKENING

WENDLA AND GIRLS:

HERR SONNENSTICH:

Herr Rilow. From the beginning.

Mama who bore me.
Mama who gave me
No way to handle things. Who made me so sad.
Mama, the weeping.
Mama, the angels.
No sleep in Heaven, orBethlehem.
Some pray that, one day, Christ will come a-callin~ They light a candle, and hope that it glows. And some just lie there, crying for him to come and find them. But when he comes, they don't know how to go ...
Mama who bore me.
Mama who gave me
No way to handle things. Who made me so bad.
Mama, the weeping.
Mama, the angels.
No sleep in Heaven, or Bethlehem.

HANSCHEN:...