SPRING AWAKENING Comes to KSU Department of Theatre This March

An alluringly melancholy story of self-discovery and coming-of-age anxiety as seen through the eyes of young teenagers, SPRING AWAKENING will be presented by Kennesaw State University Department of Theatre and Performance Studies March 9 through March 20.

Caught between their sexual urges and society's contradictory teachings, the young students attempt to reckon with the thrilling, complicated and confusing time of their sexual awakening. This haunting and provocative rock-musical is a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in this daring fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll.

When the epic production opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in late 2006, it won eight Tony awards, including "Best Musical," and the original cast album received a Grammy Award.

"SPRING AWAKENING became the show of a generation in 2006, like Rent before it, and like Hamilton is today. It truthfully explores the timeless challenges of navigating the early teen years, and an oppressive society that wants to control and limit them. Set in repressive 19th century Germany, this show collides brilliantly with the contemporary alternative rock score by Duncan Shiek. It is a show of our time," said director Rick Lombardo, also chair of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies.

Eryn Murman, an original Broadway cast member and dance captain of SPRING AWAKENING, spent two weeks coaching the KSU performers. She said, "When I did the original production on Broadway, I played all of the five female roles and I was also dance captain, so it gave me a really solid foundation of the story, the music and the spirit of the show, and I've brought that to KSU. I've been totally inspired by the KSU students: they are incredibly hard working, super respectful, and most importantly, really passionate about their craft."

"I worked with Rick on a California production of SPRING AWAKENING with Sonya Tayeh's choreography, which we have brought to this production at KSU," she added.

Sonya Tayeh is nationally known not only for her choreography in SPRING AWAKENING, but also for her Emmy-nominated work on Fox TV's So You Think You Dance. Lombardo said, "It has been a unique experience for our students performing in the show, and we hope it will be a provocative couple of hours for our musical theatre patrons as well."

Warning: SPRING AWAKENING contains mature themes, sexual situations, partial nudity and strong language; may not suitable for all audiences or those under age 18. Tickets for this event range from $5 to $20; purchase online at ticketing.kennesaw.edu or call the College of the Arts' box office at 470-578-6650.

Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive university with more than 33,000 students from 130 countries. In January 2015, Kennesaw State and Southern Polytechnic State University consolidated to create one of the 50 largest public universities in the country.

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