Teens
grapple with sexuality, morality, rebellion in 19th Century Germany
Left to right. Emily Carter from Scituate, Emma Walker, from
Naples, Maine, Steven Carvalho from Pawtucket, and Ben Church from East
Providence. Photo by Randy Osga
The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department announces the
opening of “Spring Awakening,” book and lyrics by Steven Sater, Music by Duncan
Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind.
The original Broadway production opened in 2006 at the Eugene
O’Neill Theatre in New York and in subsequent years the production garnered
eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, four Drama Desk Awards and the New
York Drama Critics Circle Award.
“Spring Awakening” is a celebration of youth and self-discovery
that combines classic text and rock and roll.
Following a group of 19thCentury German teens as they grapple with sexuality, morality and rebellion with scandalous consequences in a world of unresponsive adults, “Spring Awakening” explodes the boundaries of musical theatre to reveal the touching and passionate journey of growing up.
This production includes mature language and
subject matter and is not recommended for children.
Performances of “Spring Awakening” will run Dec. 1 through 3 and
Dec. 8 through 10 at 7:30 p.m. with additional performances Dec. 4 and 11 at 3
p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre in the URI Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper
College Road on the Kingston Campus.
Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $18 for seniors, URI
faculty, staff and students. To purchase tickets online, visit
web.uri.edu/theatre, or call (401) 874-5843 beginning Nov. 16.
Professor Paula McGlasson, who recently directed “Legally
Blonde” and “Chicago” directs the production.
Musical direction is by Lila
Kane, guest artist; choreography is by Dante Sciarra, guest artist; costume
design is by Toni Spadafora-Sadler, guest artist; scenic design is by Kent
Homchick, guest artist; lighting design is by Associate Professor Christian
Wittwer; and sound design is by Michael Hyde, guest artist.
CAST
Actor, Character, Hometown
Actor, Character, Hometown
Emily Carter, Ilse, Scituate
Steven Carvalho, Melchior Gabor, Pawtucket
Jake Clarke, Company, Narragansett
Justin Culshaw, Otto Lammermeir, Hillsdale, N.J.
John Thomas Cunha, Hanschen, Middletown
Ben Church, Moritz Steifel, East Providence
Abby Dufresne, Company, North Kingstown
Valerie Ferris, Martha, Staten Island, N.Y.
Jake Farnum, Ernst, North Scituate
Ardemis Kassabian, Thea, Wakefield
Geoff Leatham, Adult Male, Clarkston, Mass.
Ariana Pacheco, Company, Johnston
Valerie Remillard, Adult Female, North Kingstown
Brooks A. Shatraw, Georg, North Smithfield
Allison Steele, Company, Milford, Conn.
Emily Turtle, Anna, Barrington
Emma Walker, Wendla, Naples, Maine
Andy Winters, Company, Understudy, Bayonne, N.J.
