Duncan Sheik to Record Spring Awakening Cast Album

Duncan Sheik has written on his blog that a cast album of Spring Awakening, the Broadway-bound musical that he penned with Steven Sater, is in the works.

"...I'll be recording the Spring Awakening cast album throughout September and I hope to have it ready for release when the show opens in December (or before)," wrote the Grammy-nominated composer, who is also known for a successful pop career that has yielded hit songs such as "Barely Breathing."

Spring Awakening, which was previously a hit at the Atlantic Theater Company, will begin previews on Broadway on Friday, November 17th at 8pm at the Eugene O'Neill Theater (230 West 49th St.) has set its opening night for Sunday, December 10th at 6:30pm. 

Returning in the roles they created Off-Broadway is the entire youth ensemble: Skylar Astin (Georg), Lilli Cooper (Martha), John Gallagher Jr. (Moritz), Gideon Glick (Ernst), Jonathan Groff (Melchior), Brian Johnson (Otto), Lea Michele (Wendla), Lauren Pritchard (Ilse), Phoebe Strole (Anna), Jonathan B. Wright (Hanschen), and Remy Zaken (Thea). 

Casting for the adult roles has yet to be announced.

Michael Mayer (three-time Drama Desk Award-winner for A View from the Bridge, Side Man, and Thoroughly Modern Millie) again directs. The creative team remains intact: choreographer Bill T. Jones, costume designer Susan Hilferty, set designer Christine Jones, and lighting designer Kevin Adams.

Spring Awakening (the first musical to be presented by Atlantic) features music by Sheik, and book and lyrics by Sater (Carbondale Dreams).

"Based on Frank Wedekind's 1891 masterpiece "The Awakening of Spring," Spring Awakening is the contemporary musical adaptation of one of literature's most controversial plays," according to press notes. The show "boldly depicts a dozen young people and how they make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening. Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's score feature songs that illuminate the urgency of adolescent self-discovery, the burning intensity of teen friendships and the innate suspicion of the uncomprehending adult world."

The story centers around a brilliant young student named Melchior, his troubled friend Moritz and Wendla, a beautiful young girl on the verge of womanhood.

The producing team for Spring Awakening is Ira Pittleman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards & Jerry Frankel.

The performance schedule is as follows: Monday and Wednesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2 and 8pm, and Sunday at 3 and 7:30pm.  During Thanksgiving week, there will be a special performance on Tuesday, November 21 at 8PM (no Wed. Performance). Tickets will be available through Telecharge (212.239.6200) and there will be a day-of-performance student rush tickets.