San Jose Rep Stages SPRING AWAKENING 9/1-25

Spring Awakening, the winner of 8 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, is San Jose Rep's season-opening show in September. Directed by Artistic Director Rick Lombardo and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, Spring Awakening is an alluring story of self-discovery and coming-of-age anxiety as seen through the eyes of a group of teenagers in 19th-century Germany. The rock musical is based on the play by Frank Wedekind, with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steve Sater.

"Spring Awakening was a groundbreaking musical when it burst on Broadway, and I'm very excited to be one of the first regional theaters in America to produce this show in an original staging," said Lombardo. "Sonya and I are exploring this show with fresh eyes and are creating a very physical and visceral staging."

The production runs from Sept. 1 to Sept. 25, 2011 with Press Opening Night on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 408.367.7255.

Caught between their sexual urges and society's contradictory teachings, a group of teenagers in 19th-century Germany 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 a daring fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock & roll.

The New York Times called Spring Awakening, "Haunting and electrifying! This brave new musical has a shivery, sensual allure unmatched by anything in the theater right now." (Please note: Spring Awakening contains mature themes that include sexual situations, partial nudity, and strong language.)

"I'm excited to be working with this remarkable cast which includes young Broadway stars from the casts of both Spring Awakening and American Idiot, along with some of the best up and coming Bay area talent, including some remarkably talented theater students from our new partner San Jose State. This cast is a young force to be reckoned with." Lombardo said.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Detroit, Sonya Tayeh, is a guest judge and choreographer on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," where she directs "combat jazz" and contemporary dance numbers. Tayeh has instructed dance at The Edge Performing Arts Center, the Millennium Dance Complex, the Tayeh Dance Company in Los Angeles and for the Dance Studios Tour, specializing in contemporary funk and progressive contact.

Sater and Sheik's groundbreaking musical also won the Tony Award® for Best Book and Best Score. Spring Awakening won Britain's Olivier Award for Best New Musical after its debut in London.

CALENDAR
http://bit.ly/qu29FG

PRICES
Performance Type: Preview Fri, Sat, Sun / All Tuesday evenings / All weekday matinees

Section: Orchestra
Regular: $55
Specialty*: $49
Student: $27.50

Section: Parterre & Box
Regular: $47
Specialty*: $41
Student: $23.50

Section: Premium Balcony
Regular: $40
Specialty*: $34
Student: $20

Section: Rear Balcony
Regular: $34
Specialty*: $28
Student: $12.50

Performance Type: Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat evenings

Section: Orchestra
Regular: $62 - $67
Specialty*: $56 - $61
Student: $31 - $33.50

Section: Parterre & Box
Regular: $54 - $59
Specialty*: $48-43
Student: $27-$29.50

Section: Premium Balcony
Regular: $47-$52
Specialty*: $41-$46
Student: $23.50-$26

Section: Rear Balcony
Regular: $41-$46
Specialty*: $35-$40
Student: $20.50-$23

Performance Type: Saturday matinees / Sunday matinees

Section: Orchestra
Regular: $74-$79
Specialty*: $68-$73
Student: $37-$39.50

Section: Parterre & Box
Regular: $66-$71
Specialty*: $60-$65
Student: $33-$35.50

Section: Premium Balcony
Regular: $59-$64
Specialty*: $53-$58
Student: $29.50-$32

Section: Rear Balcony
Regular: $53-$58
Specialty*: $47-$52
Student: $26.50-$29

*Specialty tickets are for seniors (65+), teachers, ASL, non-profit employees, corporate groups and subscriber add-on tickets. Only one discount may be applied per ticket. To receive the discounted price you must present a copy of your valid driver's license, proof of California teacher's certificate, or non-profit organization status. Student ID is required for the purchase of all student discounted tickets.

Single Tickets are non-refundable. Ticketed dates may be exchanged with a fee and at least 48 hours notice. A handling charge of $5.00 per ticket is applied on all phone and online orders. Premium ticket prices are charged on Fri.-Sun. performances of the final 2 weekends of each show.

CAST
Georg: Lowell Abellon*
TBA: Ernestine Balisi
Otto: Justin Buchs*
Moritz: Miguel Cervantes*
Adult Female: Cindy Goldfield*
TBA: Monique Hafen*
Melchior: Jason Hite*
Adult Male: Todd Alan Honson*
Ilse: Zarah Mahler*
Martha: Kristen Majetich
Wendla: Eryn Murman*
Ernst: Manuel Rodriguez-Ruiz

ARTISTIC COLLABORATORS
Scenic Designer: John Iacovelli
Costume Designer: Rachel Myers
Lighting and Media Designer: David Lee Cuthbert
Orchestrations: Duncan Sheik
Vocal Arrangements: AnnMarie Milazzo
String Orchestrations: Simon Hale
Musical Director: Dolores Duran-Cefalu
Dialect Coach: Kimberley Mohne Hill
Casting Director: Bruce Elsperger
Dramaturg: Karen Altree Piemme
Stage Manager: Stephanie Schliemann*
Assistant Stage Manager: Deirdre Rose Holland*
Assistant Director: Ana-Catrina Buchser
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

About the Rep:
San Jose Rep is the premier non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay, presenting six to seven main stage productions each year. Now in its 31st year as a major contributor to the South Bay's cultural community, San Jose Rep's mission is to engage, entertain and inspire people. San Jose Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote life-long learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community. For more information, visit www.SJRep.com.