Photo Coverage: Spring Awakening Arrivals Printer-Friendly (BroadwayWorld.com)

by Ben Strothmann

Spring Awakening, after beginning previews on Thursday, November 16th, opened on Sunday, December 10th at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (239 W. 49th St.).

Spring Awakening, previously a hit at the Atlantic Theater Company, features music by Duncan Sheik ("Barely Breathing"), and book and lyrics by Steven Sater (Carbondale Dreams). The entire youth ensemble is reprising their original roles: Skylar Astin (Georg), Lilli Cooper (Martha), John Gallagher Jr. (Moritz), Gideon Glick (Ernst), Jonathan Groff (Melchior), Brian Johnson (Otto), Lea Michele (Wendla), Lauren Pritchard (Ilse), Phoebe Strole (Anna), Jonathan B. Wright (Hanschen), and Remy Zaken (Thea). Tony Award-winner Stephen Spinella and Obie Award-winner Christine Estabrook perform the show's adult roles. Michael Mayer directs.

"Based on Frank Wedekind's 1891 masterpiece "The Awakening of Spring," Spring Awakening is the contemporary musical adaptation of one of literature's most controversial plays," according to press notes. The show "boldly depicts a dozen young people and how they make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening. Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's score feature songs that illuminate the urgency of adolescent self-discovery, the burning intensity of teen friendships and the innate suspicion of the uncomprehending adult world."