Armont, Hazzard & Bowen Lead Australian Premiere of SPRING AWAKENING, 2/4-2/28

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming Australian premiere of the musical SPRING AWAKENING, set to begin performances at the Sydney Theatre Company on February 4th. The principal cast will include Akos Armont as Moritz, Andrew Hazzard as Melchior and Clare Bowen as Wendla. SPRING AWAKENING runs through February 28th.

The rest of the cast will include Ali Calder as Thea, Olivia Charalambous as Anna, Edward Grey as Georg, Nicholas Kong as Otto, Erica Lovell as Martha, Scott Morris as Ernst, Angela Scundi as Ilse, Jamie Ward as Hanschen, Helen Dallimore in the Adult Women Roles and Berynn Schwerdt in the Adult Man roles. The ensemble will feature Thomas Conroy, Rebecca Lee Slade, Christy Sullivan, and Alex Woodward.

On a stormy, spring afternoon two young people succumb to a desire unlike anything they've ever felt before. Fumbling their way into one another's arms, they learn the joys of sexual awakening. Only later will they also learn of its potential to devastate.

This exuberant and bold new musical tells the tale of a dozen teenagers embarking on the terrifying, thrilling and complicated transition from youth to adulthood. The inquisitive, sweet Wendla (Clare Bowen) begs her mother to explain where babies come from; her best friend Thea (Ali Calder) denies her feelings of desire in order to keep the repressive adults happy; the charismatic, rebellious Melchior (Andrew Hazzard) tries to help his tormented friend, Moritz (Akos Armont) while the troubled and abused Martha (Erica Lovell) fears being outcast like runaway Ilse (Angela Scundi); and as Georg (Edward Grey) lusts after his busty music teacher, Hanschen (Jamie Ward) takes a more pragmatic approach to his desires, seducing the naïve Ernst (Scott Morris) along the way.

Helen Dallimore (currently on stage in Sydney Theatre Company's Wharf Revue) who made her West End debut as Glinda in the original London cast of Wicked, portrays the range of adult characters, along with Berynn Schwerdt.

Completing the creative team with Brookman and Champion, are acclaimed Musical Director Robert Gavin, Set Designer Anna Tregloan, Costume Designer Tess Schofield and Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti.

A surprise smash-hit on Broadway, Spring Awakening won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and has since become a music theatre phenomenon throughout the world, garnering a cult following wherever it has travelled. Driven by an exceptional score ranging from power ballads to grunge anthems that capture the spine-tingling highs and lows of youthful desire, this exuberant musical has all the energy of a rock concert and all the power of a great drama.

Performances of Spring Awakening take place daily with a varying schedule. Tickets range in price from $40 to $90 and may be purchased online at sydneytheatre.com.au or by calling the box office at 02 9250 1777.

Sydney Theatre Company, as the premier theatre company in Australia, has been a major force in Australian drama since its establishment in 1978. The company presents an annual twelve-play program at its home base The Wharf, on Sydney's harbour at Walsh Bay, the nearby Sydney Theatre, which STC also manages, and as the resident theatre company of the Sydney Opera House. Current Artistic Directors, Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton joined the Company at the beginning of 2008.

For more information, including a full schedule, please visit www.sydneytheatre.com.au.

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