Remember Duncan Sheik? Back in 1996 his single “Barely Breathing” hit the Billboard Top 100 hits and stayed there for 55 weeks, a record. Obviously, the man knows how to write a song. Since then, besides continuing his singer/songwriter career, he’s added composing for the stage and screen to his resume, a facet of his career that got him involved in writing the music for Spring Awakening, the hit Broadway musical making its Seattle debut at the Paramount on October 14.

Based on a play banned in its native Germany way back in 1891, Spring Awakening frankly depicts the eternal turmoil of teen angst and sexuality including masturbation, abortion, rape and suicide. Its young characters struggle with ignorance, fear and insecurity, frustrated in their struggles to understand themselves and what’s happening to them by judgemental and controlling adults who aren’t always looking out for the best interests of the kids in their care.

Intense and brutally honest, the original presentation of Spring Awakening was considered too shocking for late 19th century audiences; over a hundred years later, the musical version still manages to get the “controversial” tag for simply depicting what millions of real kids really go through. It’s a critical favorite both off and on Broadway, earning writer and lyricist Steven Sater’s play 11 Tony Award nominations (winning eight) and four drama desk awards.

Spring Awakening plays the Paramount from October 14 through October 19 at 7:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 pm Friday, 2:00 and 8:00 pm Saturday and 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm Sunday.