Bootless Stageworks Presents Delaware Professional Debut of SPRING AWAKENING

Continuing its mission to create uniquely challenging contemporary theater experiences while fostering Emerging Artists, Bootless Stageworks and Stage Director Justin Walsh have assembled an exceptionally talented cast to undertake Delaware's professional premiere of the Tony award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Written by Steven Sater with music by Duncan Sheik, the rock musical based on the play by Frank Wedekin explores self-discovery and what it means to experience love and loss. Set in a small 19th century German town, a group of teen classmates begin to experience changes that confuse and fascinate them, but coming from a society where discussions regarding sex, fantasy, homosexuality, abuse and alike are deeply frowned upon, the students are confronted with the struggle of dealing with these changes without guidance. The blended sound of both rock and roll and folk music under the skillful baton of Music Director, James W. Fuerst, heighten the stakes to make this show a theatrical experience like no other. Spring Awakening holds special meaning to Delaware's theater community as it was the vehicle for hometown hero, John Gallagher, Jr., to receive a Tony award for his portrayal of Moritz in the original Broadway production.

Winner of eight Tony awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Director, Spring Awakening is still a sought after show for musical theater fiends of varying generations. When the show landed on Broadway after various workshops and an Off-Broadway stint, it was hailed for its bold vision and efforts to blaze a new path for the musical form. The music is unmistakable. "Sheik's dreamy melodies seem unstructured by conventional musical theater standards, and Sater's lyrics can tend toward the arcane. But there's a cracked poetry in evidence that fits the material and the painful introspectiveness of adolescence, making the show's youthful spirit feel sincere and heartfelt." - Variety (June 2006)

Bootless is pleased to have several alumni returning to its stage including Heather Ferrel (Bug, In the Next Room), Alicia Alaimo (The Light in the Piazza, Musical of the Living Dead), Michael Sheldon (Why Torture Is Wrong..., Evil Dead, The Musical), and Dane Farrell (Evil Dead, The Musical). Making their Bootless debut are Zachary Taylor, Kristin Foreman-Spence, Michael Robert Anderson, Sarah Adams, Evan Brody, Jason Messinger, Antoine Martinez-Jones, Kelsey Hodgekiss, and Kendra Eckbold.

With two preview shows having been completed, Bootless' production of Spring Awakening is set to open on Friday, October 14, 2016 for six performances. All performances take place in Bootless' recently renovated theatre located at 1301 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE.

Tickets can be purchased via the website, www.bootless.org, with advance tickets priced at $28 for premium seating and $22 for standard seating. At-the-door, night of performance tickets can be purchased at our box office beginning one hour prior to curtain time ($30 - premium seating / $25 - standard seating). Spring Awakening addresses themes of teen sexuality, depression, suicide, abortion and homosexuality, as well as containing simulated sexual activities. The musical is best suited for audience members 14 years of age and older.