Spring Awakening to Begin Previews a Day Early, 11/16

The acclaimed new musical Spring Awakening, with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater, will begin previews on Thursday, November 16th--a day earlier than originally announced--at 8pm at the Eugene O'Neill Theater (230 West 49th St). Opening night is still set for Sunday, December10th at 6:30pm.

Rehearsals begin in October with the entire Off-Broadway youth ensemble returning: 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). 

Casting for the adult roles has not yet been announced.

Michael Mayer (three-time Drama Desk Award-winner for A View from the Bridge, Side Man, and Thoroughly Modern Millie) again directs. The creative team remains intact: choreographer Bill T. Jones, costume designer Susan Hilferty, set designer Christine Jones, and lighting designer Kevin Adams.

Spring Awakening (the first musical to be presented by Atlantic) features music by Grammy Award-nominee Sheik ("Barely Breathing"), and book and lyrics by Sater (Carbondale Dreams).

"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, his troubled friend Moritz and Wendla, a beautiful young girl on the verge of womanhood.

The producing team for Spring Awakening is Ira Pittleman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards & Jerry Frankel.

The performance schedule is  as follows: Mon/Wed-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2 & 7:00 P.M. During Thanksgiving week, there will be a special performance Tues Nov. 21 at 8PM (no Wed. performance). Tickets will be available through Telecharge (212.239.6200) with "Day Of Performance Student Rush" tickets offered.