Photo Flash: SPRING AWAKENING Comes To Chicago 8/4 Thru 8/16 At The Ford Center

Spring Awakening swept the 2007 Tony Awards® winning eight out of its eleven nominations, including Best Musical, Best Director (Michael Mayer), Best Book (Steven Sater), Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones), Best Orchestrations (Duncan Sheik), Best Lighting Design (Kevin Adams), Best Featured Actor (John Gallagher Jr.).

Based on the 1891 Frank Wedekind play, Spring Awakening features an electrifying score by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics Steven Sater, direction by Michael Mayer and choreography by the award-winning Bill T. Jones.

The Spring Awakening national tour features Jake Epstein (Melchoir), known for his work as "Craig" on the hit television series "Degrassi: The Next Generation;" Steffi D (Ilse), a Top 5 Finalist from the 2006 Canadian Idol; and Naperville, Illinois native, Gabrielle Garza (Anna). Members from the Broadway cast who will be performing in the National Tour include Blake Bashoff (Moritz), Ben Lively (Violin/Guitar), and Matt Shingledecker (Georg).

The SPRING AWAKENING national tour cast also features Christy Altomare (Wendla), Kimiko Glenn (Thea), Sarah Hunt (Martha), Anthony Lee Medina (Otto), Andy Mientus (Hanschen), Ben Moss (Ernst), Angela Reed (Adult Women) and Henry Stram (Adult Men). Additional cast members include Krystina Alabado, Julie Benko, Todd Cerveris, Chase Davidson, Kate Hampton, Krista Pioppi and Lucas A. Wells. The SPRING AWAKENING band includes Alon Bisk (Cello), Freddy Hall (Guitar), Kristen Lee Rosenfeld (Associate Conductor), Jared Stein (Musical Director), Mark Verdino (Bass), Marques Walls (Percussion), and Karen Waltuch (Viola).

Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Haunting and provocative, Spring Awakening celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.

Set design is by Christine Jones, costume design is by Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tony Award-winner Kevin Adams and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Spring Awakening opened on Broadway on December 10, 2006 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, following its world premiere at the Atlantic Theatre Co. The original cast recording of Spring Awakening won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Spring Awakening is produced by Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and the Atlantic Theatre Co.

SPRING AWAKENING is a powerful coming of age story with mature themes: sexual situations, partial nudity and strong language.

The performance schedule for SPRING AWAKENING is as follows: Tuesday, August 4 at 8PM, Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 PM, Wednesday, August 5 at 7:30PM, Wednesday, August 12 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Thursday, August 6 at 7:30PM, Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 PM, Friday, August 7 at 8 PM, Friday, August 14 at 8 PM, Saturday, August 8 at 2 PM and 8 PM, Saturday, August 15 at 2 PM and 8 PM, Sunday, August 9 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Sunday, August 16 at 2 PM.

Individual tickets range in price from $25 to $95. A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Tickets are available to groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977-1710.

For information, visit www.SpringAwakening.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik