SPRING AWAKENING to Play the Studio at LBP

Duncan's Sheik's indie rock musical, Spring Awakening, is a coming of age story based on the controversial German play Spring Awakening (1891) by Frank Wedekind. The play was banned in Germany for some time due to its frank portrayal of abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide. The musical, first produced in 2006, tells the story of teenagers discovering the intricacies - good and bad - of their own sexuality.

"This is the closing production for our Studio Theatre," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, executive and producing artistic director for the Playhouse. "We opened the season with In the Next Room, a play about awakened sexuality set in Victorian times. It seemed appropriate to close the season with a musical about awakened sexuality set in Victorian times - symmetry." He went on to say, "Only these are starkly different stories. While In the Next Room spoke to gender roles and female emancipation, Spring Awakening talks about that time in life when bodies and sexuality awaken and the dangers of not having support during that time."

The musical is set in 1891 Germany. Young Wendla explores her body and asks where babies come from. The brilliant and fearless Melchior defends his friend Moritz, a boy so traumatized by puberty he can't concentrate on anything. One day Wendla and Melchior discover a desire unlike anything they've known. Spring Awakening explores the confusion and desperation that arise as the surge of hormones meets the ignorance of children.

"It's an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, poignancy, and passion that you will never forget," said Vonderschmitt.

Directing the production is Sean Gray, the technical director and production manager for the Playhouse. This is not Gray's first time in the director's chair. Last year he directed Midsummer's Night Gay Dream which was one of the season's most popular productions. Another Playhouse staffer, Halley Wright, will display her considerable talents as the choreographer.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday October 16 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford
• Two for One Preview Friday October 17 - Tickets are $12.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on October 18- Tickets are $27.00

Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

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