Keegan Theatre Presents SPRING AWAKENING, 6/2

The Keegan Theatre will present a special engagement of Spring Awakening, opening June 2, 2012 at the Church Street Theater in Washington, DC. Winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening is based on the play by Frank Wedekind, and features a book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik.

With an electrifying score that swings from folk to rock, Spring Awakening follows the unforgettable journey of a group of students in late 19th century Germany as they move from adolescence into adulthood. Facing both the devastation and the wonder of sexuality and self-discovery, the characters navigate through their coming-of-age despite parents and authority figures who are intent on withholding information and suppressing thought and expression. Adapted from Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play about the trials, tears and exhilaration of the teen years, which was banned in its time, this modern masterpiece is an exhilarating fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll.

Directed by two time Helen Hayes nominees Susan Marie Rhea and Mark A. Rhea, Spring Awakening features actors Ali Hoxie, Nora Palka, Cody Boehm, Sarah Chapin, Lyndsay Rini, Vincent Kempski, Paul Scanlan, Charlotte Akin, Jon Townson, Nick Lehan, Gannon O'Brien, Alex Alferov, Stephen Murray, Sean Burns, David Rea, MaryKate Brouillet and Emily Dey.

"We are pleased to bring our audiences the first Washington, DC-produced version of Spring Awakening," says director Mark A. Rhea. "This musical is a perfect fit for our storytelling approach and our intimate space, and people are going to be blown away by the power of this script and music. As producers, we’re also thrilled to introduce exciting, young talent to our audiences – many of these young people are new to Keegan, and it’s been a joy to work with such fresh faces on this incredible piece of musical theater. The combination of our hard work, the talent we have found, the design team we have assembled, and this amazing material will be electrifying.”

Spring Awakening runs through July 8, 2012. The Keegan Theatre is in its 15th season and is the resident company at Church Street Theater in Dupont Circle.

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