Broadway Transfer Announced for Spring Awakening

The Atlantic Theater Company's acclaimed production of the new Duncan Sheik-Steven Sater musical Spring Awakening will move to Broadway next season.  

Although a theatre, dates and casting are unannounced, Spring Awakening will be brought to Broadway by producers Ira Pittleman and Tom Hulce, who are also its Off-Broadway producers (along with ATC). Plans for a transfer had previously been in the works, although it was unclear whether the show would move to Broadway or Off-Broadway.

On behalf of the producing team, Pittelman said "We're really pleased that this exciting and unique production will now reach a much wider audience. Duncan, Steven and Michael have created a musical experience that's very special and we are proud that this new work is on its way to Broadway. While we continue to have discussions with additional partners and theater owners to firm up our plans, one thing is very clear: we WILL move this show to Broadway.".

Recently extended through August 5th (the production was to have closed on July 9th), Spring Awakening opened on June 15th to glowing reviews.

Spring Awakening (the first musical to be presented by Atlantic) features music by Grammy Award-nominee Sheik ("Barely Breathing"), book and lyrics by Sater (Carbondale Dreams), choreography by Bill T. Jones (The Seven) and direction by Tony Award-nominee Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Modern Millie).

Spring Awakening boasts a cast of fourteen led by Tony Award-winner Frank Wood (Side Man, Hollywood Arms), Atlantic founding member Mary McCann (Broadway's The Old Neighborhood, ATC's The Night Heron), John Gallagher Jr. (Rabbit Hole), Jonathan Groff (In My Life), Lea Michele (Fiddler on the Roof) and Christopher Clark, Michele Cobham, Lilli Cooper, Chris Garneau, Jared Goldstein, Brian Johnson, Lauren Pritchard, Jonathan B. Wright and Remy Zaken.

"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."

The story centers around a brilliant young student named Melchior (Groff), his troubled friend Moritz (Gallagher Jr.) and Wendla (Michele), a beautiful young girl on the verge of womanhood.

Spring Awakening features scenic design by Christine Jones, costume design by Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty (Wicked), lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Brian Ronin and musical direction by Kimberly Grigsby.

Spring Awakening continues Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's longstanding working relationship. They most recently collaborated on Nero: Another Golden Rome, Sater's play with music that played San Francisco's Magic Theatre. The team presented the New York premiere of Umbrage at HERE and are developing The Nightingale, based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, which has been work-shopped at the O'Neill and La Jolla Playhouse. Sater provided the lyrics for Sheik's acclaimed album "Phantom Moon" and their original songs have been featured in Michael Mayer's film A Home at the End of the World and the forthcoming independent feature Brother's Shadow.

At ATC, the musical plays Tuesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $60.00 and are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200 (Telecharge.com).

Eighteen seats--located on stage--are onsale at every performance for $10 each. Tickets may be reserved in advance by calling (212) 691-5919 ext. 1092 or may be purchased at the box office (336 West 20th Street) two hours prior to curtain.

Visit www.atlantictheater.org for more information.