Photo Coverage: Spring Awakening Onstage Proposal

There was a bit more to applaud during the curtain call at Spring Awakening after the August 21st performance, audience member James Beneduce, of Eastern Long Island, took to the stage and asked Jennifer Li, a huge Spring Awakening fan to be his wife.

The onstage proposal--which had been arranged by a few phone calls to the show's management--was announced by Spring Awakening star Hunter Parrish. James gave BroadwayWorld.com the full scoop on how he set his plan into action. "I knew this was her favorite show, she is fanatical about the music and the cast, and my plan B was nowhere near as exciting!" James had been inspired to propose in such a creative way as Li is a passionate fan of the show and would often grab him as they would be walking past the O'Neill and pull him directly into the theatre to enjoy a spontaneous visit to the show.

He made the trip into Manhattan from his home base of Long Island to see about speaking to someone who would help in his quest, upon arriving at the box office he was met with the answer that he'd have to call another number for something like an onstage marriage proposal. "So I had to go all the way back, but I did call the management and press representatives, once I got in touch with them, everything fell into place, they even took into account I was under a time crunch", James himself an actor, explained. He will shortly be heading out of town to do a show and had to act fast. Happily the cast and company were very accommodating; everyone made the extra effort to keep things quiet to ensure he'd pop the question in true Broadway style.

Parrish and Spring Awakening costar Alexandra Socha brought Beneduce and Li onstage to the shocked delight of the musical's audience. The equally surprised and happy Li immediately accepted after the groom-to-be bent down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. There were tears and cheers as the cast and audience shared in the joyful occasion. He answered when asked if he was nervous, "I was kind of nervous myself, but more so for Jennifer because after we came on stage, she was shaking so badly!"

Spring Awakening continues its record-breaking run at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, 230 West 49th Street. The musical, with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater, is choreographed by Bill T. Jones and directed by Michael Mayer. SPRING AWAKENING is the winner of 8 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical,  the most Tony Awards any new musical has won since 2003.

Performance schedule for Spring Awakening is as follows: Monday at 8 pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm, Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 pm. For information and tickets, call Telecharge.com at 212 239-6200.

Photos by RD / Dziekan / Retna Digital

Hunter Parrish and Alexandra Socha

Hunter Parrish and Alexandra Socha

Alexandra Socha welcomes James Beneduce and Jennifer Li to the stage

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li make their way to the stage

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

James Beneduce and Jennifer Li

Hunter Parrish and Alexandra Socha congratulate the couple.