Theatre Nebula's Production of SPRING AWAKENING Opens Run at Palatine's Cutting Hall this March

Award-winning Theatre Nebula opens a limited engagement run of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's musical, Spring Awakening at The Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E Wood St, Palatine, IL 60067, Saturday, March 2 through Sunday, March 24, 2019. Tickets are on sale now at theatrenebula.org or cuttinghall.org. Advance tickets are $20 for Adults, $16 for Students and Seniors. If purchased at the door one hour prior to the performance, each ticket is $2 more. Caution: Spring Awakening is for mature audiences due to adult situations, adult language, simulated sexual acts on stage, and violence.

Director Kevin Wiczer says, "Spring Awakening is extremely relevant today in that it exposes the dangers of parents not informing their children about controversial topics such as sex and abuse, and the consequences that may follow." This angsty, rock musical, based on the play, Frühlings Erwachen, or Spring Awakening, by Frank Wedekind, was penned in 1891, and is also subtitled, A Children's Tragedy. It was banned from being performed, until years later, due to its very adult topics including, homosexuality, and suicide. "It's clear that he wrote his play in response to society's own behavior," says Wiczer.

Wiczer continues, "Anytime I create a concept for a show I'm directing, I always want to remain true to the message it's trying to convey. However, I have added some interesting elements to elevate the material that is already present. The connection between Wendla and Melchior's thirst for knowledge mirrors that of Adam and Eve's. The idea that one should not only learn about what is good, one must also learn about the evils in the world. Once learned, they cannot be forgotten. We know dangers of knowing too little about the world, but it makes us consider the question: Can one know too much?"

According to Artistic Director and Scenic Designer J. Spencer Greene, "To parallel Kevin's concept for the show, the scenery focuses a large 'tree of knowledge' constantly looming over the characters and guiding their lives, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively. Behind them, a dilapidating structure symbolizes the deteriorating of their relationships and crumbling consequences of their actions." Greene adds that, "We are very proud of this incredibly talented and diverse cast."

The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening is told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater through what Entertainment Weekly called, "The most gorgeous Broadway score this Decade." Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years.

The Spring Awakening Cast features Cale Singleton (Melchior), Rachel Carreras (Wendla), Joshua McKenney (Moritz), Korinne Yonan (Ilse), Noreen Patel (Martha), Joe Lewis (Hanschen), Tyler Callahan (Ernst), Jose Guerrero (Georg), Korey White (Otto), Ashley Foreman (Thea), Isabel Kaegi (Anna), Mark Stickney (Adult Men), and Jessica Means (Adult Women). The production is Produced and Scenic Designed by J. Spencer Greene, Directed by Kevin Wiczer, Choreographed by Kristine Burdi-Stickney, Music Directed by Bryan McCaffrey, Costumes Designed by Victoria Jablonski, Lighting Designed by Alec Kinastowski, Properties by Kristen Foley, Stage Management by Tom Hermanson, Scenic Panting by David Genosky, Fight Choreography by Mark Stickney and Photography by Michael P. Noens.

Photo credit: Michael P. Noens

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