Original Kids Alumni Present SPRING AWAKENING, Now thru June 30

From tonight, June 22nd to June 30th, the multiple Tony Award-winning musical 'Spring Awakening' comes to life with a fresh new cast. The 15-member university/college aged ensemble is comprised entirely of former members of the Original Kids Theatre Company and takes the stage in the very place where their passion for the arts ignited -- the Spriet Family Theatre, Covent Garden Market, home of Original Kids.

Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 'Spring Awakening' is an electrifying fusion of morality, rebellion, sexuality and rock 'n' roll. Based on the 1892 German play, 'Spring Awakening' is the story of teenagers in the midst of sexual awakening, their desperate pleas for answers and the authorities withholding this knowledge. Naive Wendla is chastised when she questions her maturing body and how a baby is made. Fearless Melchior has lost his faith and searches for greater understanding in life while his best friend Mortiz is so consumed by puberty he cannot focus on his Latin drills. Originally banned in Germany for its provocative content, Spring Awakening' is as relevant today as it ever was.

The creative team reunites two former Original Kids as well: Andrew Tribe as Director and Genna Goodwin as Choreographer. The tremendous rock score is in the capable hands of veteran Original Kids musical director, Igor Saika-Voivod and is produced by Original Kids Artistic Director, Dale Hirlehey.

The show is a mirror of its time -- then and now. "A collection of elements clash together: 19th century drama and radical rock musical, parents and kids, heterosexuality and homosexuality," comments Tribe, "the tension that arises from these stories, musical and staging elements jolts our audiences to ask: How has our perspective on sexual education changed over a generation? Is sexuality arisen naturally or through outside sources?"

The ensemble, comprised entirely of former Original Kids, features Nicola Atkinson, Victoria Barber, Becky Blake, Michael Esposito, Amelia Galizia, Rebecca Hall, Will Johnston, Daniel Mallett, Christine McKeon, Trevor Patt, Melissa Peters, Ryan Price, Aaron Schaefer, Erika Schramowsky and Andrew Varkaris.

The show runs June 22-24, 28-30 at 8pm and June 23 & 30 at 2pm at the Spriet Family Theatre, second level of the Covent Garden Market, 130 King Street, London, Ontario.

Tickets are available online by going to the OKTC website www.oktc.ca, or by calling the box office 519-679-8989. Tickets are $16 for adults and $11 for students. Be sure to 'like' us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpringAwakeningOKTC. Limited tickets at the door, based on availability.

The Original Kids Alumni show is currently in its third year following the success of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. Through an intensive rehearsal process, the project offers a rare opportunity for former members of the Original Kids Main Cast Company to reunite on a mature production which features content that would not be presented with the youth in the Main Cast. Regardless of the route our Original Kids alumni have taken, they take the memories and influence of OKTC wherever their life path takes them. Their return to the OK community signifies a reconnection with the place their passion for the arts was ignited, and gives inspiration to the current Main Cast members of the productions they may have the opportunity to participate in the future. The courage, passion and professionalism of the alumni ensemble truly exemplifies the company's motto "Once an Original Kid, always an Original Kid."

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