TV: Upright's West Side Stories: 'Spring Awakening' Opens in LA

BroadwayWorld.com, the premiere theatre site on the internet, is proud to continue its newest offering in the streaming video space. 'Upright's West Side Stories' chronicles the adventures Upright Cabaret producer/hosts Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel as they travel the left coast in search of great theatre... and a few cocktails.

Featuring talent from the Great White Way to the sandy beaches of LA, 'Upright's West Side Stories' takes you up close and personal with some of your favorite entertainers in show business.

Their sophomore webisode lands them on the red carpet and at the VIP after party on opening night for the much anticipated Los Angeles premiere of "Spring Awakening," winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. The Boys of Upright Cabaret celebrate the opening and interview Loretta Devine, Marisa Jaret Winokur (Tony Award winner "Hairspray", Dancing with the Stars), Ricki Lake, Wilson Cruz, Max Crumm (Winner of the reality show, "You're the One That I Want), Drew Seeley ("High School Musical"), Taye Diggs (Private Practice), Caissie Levy, Spring Awakening Music Director Jared Stein, John Lloyd Young (Tony Award winner "Jersey Boys), Sara Ramirez (Tony Award winner "Spamalot", Grey's Anatomy), new cast members Kyle Riabko, Blake Bashoff (Lost) and original cast members Lea Michele and Stephen Spinella (2-time Tony Award winner "Angels in America") with special comments from creators Duncan Sheik ("Spring Awakening" composer) and Steven Sater ("Spring Awakening" lyricist and book writer).

"Spring Awakening," winner of eight Tony Awards including best musical, opened at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on October 30 and will run through December 7, 2008. Book and lyrics are by Steven Sater with music by Duncan Sheik. Based on the play by Frank Wedekind, "Spring Awakening" is choreographed by Bill T. Jones and directed by Michael Mayer.

The cast features (in alphabetical order) Krystina Alabado, Christy Altomare, Blake Bashoff, Julie Benko, Todd Cerveris, Steffi D, Chase Davidson, Kate Fuglei, Gabrielle Garza, Kimiko Glenn, Sarah Hunt, Anthony Lee Medina, Andy Mientus, Ben Moss, Angela Reed, Kyle Riabko, Perry Sherman, Matt Shingledecker, Claire Sparks, Henry Stram and Lucas A. Wells. "Spring Awakening" features set design by Christine Jones, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kevin Adams and sound design by Brian Ronan. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Carrie Gardner, and the production stage manager is Eric Sprosty.

"Spring Awakening" is winner of eight Tony Awards in 2007 including Best Musical. The groundbreaking musical with its bold rock score is a universal sexual coming of age story. Set in a provincial German town in the late 19th century, "Spring Awakening" follows a handful of adolescents who, in defiance of their parents, their community and the social mores of the time in which they live, begin to seek answers to all the exciting and confusing questions brought on by their emerging hormones. Infused with the heartbeat of rock n' roll, their story is as urgent as it is timeless.

Tickets for "Spring Awakening" start at $30 and are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center. Hot Tix may be purchased at $20 each in advance or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office (cash or credit cards only). For groups of 15 or more, call (213) 972-7231.

Video edited by Kerry Bailey