A play that was once so controversial it was banned for the first six years of its existence is coming to Baton Rouge.The University’s Theatre Department is performing “Spring Awakening” in the Hatcher Hall Theatre through March 29.The play follows teenagers in a German society striving for knowledge as the adults around them want to keep them in the dark.”[The performance] highlights the idea of society as a machine that is outdated and in desperate need of revision on all fronts  — education, religion and parenting,” said Joanna Battles, director and assistant professor of voice and speech. “There is a deep divide between the children and the adults and a general lack of communication between both parties.”A lot of the miscommunication between the children and adults stems from sexual issues.Garrett Smith, theatre junior, plays Melchior Gabor, a 14-year-old who already knows about sex.Smith said the parents in the play keep the kids in the dark about “where babies come from and sex and what happens to their bodies at that age.”The play features many dark issues, such as teenage suicide and rape. But Smith feels the play does a good job of presenting them in a comedic light.”That’s the way the playwright wrote it,” Smith said. “He wrote it pretty honestly. Humor is everywhere in life. It is focused around these kids’ lives. There is humor and lightheartedness everywhere.”Battles also said the comedic aspects reflect the attributes of humans.”Despite the heavy topics … our production embraces the comedic nature of the innocence of childhood, as well as the buffoon-like quality of the adults who, much like the children, are powerless to the societal machine,” Battles said.Written in 1891 by German playwright Frank Wedekind, “Spring Awakening” contains material so shocking that after it was originally staged in 1906, it was officially banned until 1912 and has been banned by various places since then.Battles said audiences were stunned that they could be laughing one minute and then shocked the next.Many people expect this show to be popular among University students.Vastine Stabler, theatre professor and marketing director for Swine Palace, said college students will love it because “it’s about young people and sex, so it should be wickedly fun. The show is very steamy.”Battles said students will enjoy it because they will be able to relate.”It talks about choices their parents made and wondering if they are right for them. It’s about finding your own way, and I think people will really relate. It’s a fun evening of theatre, and it’s well worth your time to come out and see,” Battles said.Smith said although the play is a century old, it is very contemporary and is something different than has been done at the Hatcher Hall Theatre.”Plus, it’s really funny. There’s lots of humor. Students will really like it,” Smith said.While this is Battles’ first time directing a play at the University, she said she would love to do more.”I’ve really enjoyed working with these students. It’s been a joy to work on,” Battles said.Stabler said to expect to see her working more in the theatre department because of the “fantastic job” she has done on this production.”Her energy and fresh ideas have quickly made her a student favorite,” Stabler said. “And that is a sure sign of her becoming an audience favorite.”The play was also adapted into a hit Broadway musical of the same name that won eight Tony Awards in 2007.”Spring Awakening” runs through March 29 with shows Wednesday through Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.Tickets are $15 for adults; $13.50 for seniors, faculty and staff and $8.50 for students and are available online at www.theatre.lsu.edu or by calling (225) 578-3527.—-Contact Catie Vogels at [email protected]