In September 2007, Franzen's translation of Frank Wedekind's play "Spring Awakening" () was published. In his introduction, Franzen describes the Broadway musical version as "insipid" and "overpraised." In an interview with "New York" magazine, Franzen stated that he had in fact made the translation for Swarthmore College's theater department for $50 in 1986 and that it had sat in a drawer for 20 years since. After the Broadway show stirred up so much interest, Franzen said he was inspired to publish it because "I knew it was a good translation, better than anything else out there."