Red Branch Theatre to Offer Special Events with SPRING AWAKENING, 4/17-5/2

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) will kick off its 2015 season entitled Coming of Age with the TONY Award-winning alt-rock musical, Spring Awakening. The production will run at Drama Learning Center, where Red Branch is the theatre in residence, from April 17 - May 2, 2015. Various special events will occur in conjunction with the run.

Red Branch will kick off the production with an opening night post-show reception with the cast and creative team. All patrons attending the show on Friday, April 17th will have the opportunity to meet with the cast and crew over sparkling wine courtesy of restaurant partner The Iron Bridge Wine Company in the green room immediately following the performance.

Lisa A. Wilde, Resident Dramaturg for Rep Stage and Theatre Faculty at Howard Community College, will give a post-show lecture and talkback entitled Wedekind and the Man in the Mask following the matinee performance on Sunday, April 19th. This talkback, which is free and open to the public, explores the original play, Spring's Awakening, and how it was adapted and transformed into the modern theatrical work found in Spring Awakening. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of Dr. Wilde during the session.

A panel discussion entitled Some Things Have to Be Said: Tough Conversations About Sexuality, Suicide, and Coming of Age will follow the matinee performance on Sunday, April 26th . A panel comprised of mental health professionals and children's services advocates will engage the community in a discussion about themes and topics pulled from the production's subject matter. Confirmed panelists include Dr. Suzanne Ricklin (Faculty, Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy and Education, Inc.), Dr. Helen Bellette (psychiatrist), Valerie P. Harvey (Adolescent Resource Specialist, Office of Children's Services), Carla Spence (Howard County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness), and a representative from Voices for Change (Howard County Teen Advocacy organization).

Red Branch is pleased to partner again with the Howard County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). A portion of the proceeds raised from tickets purchased for the April 26th show will be donated to NAMI to help them continue their important work building better lives for individuals affected by mental illness. Patrons who wish for a portion of the proceeds from their ticket to go to NAMI Howard County should mention the organization at the time of ticket purchase for the April 26th performance either online or by phone.

Spring Awakening is the contemporary rock musical adaptation of the classic play about teenage angst and growing pains. Adapted by indie rock guitarist Duncan Sheik and Steve Sater, Spring Awakening won eight TONY Awards (including Best Musical) when it premiered on Broadway in 2006. Other productions in Red Branch's 2015 season include Avenue Q: School Edition, Dogfight, and a world premiere of a new musical adaptation of Peter Rabbit.

Spring Awakening is presented with permission through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Special Events:

April 17: Opening Night Post-Show Reception

April 19: Wedekind and the Man in the Mask: Post-Show Talkback

April 26: Some Things Have to Be Said: Post-Show Panel Discussion; NAMI Fundraising Performance

Cast:

Meghan Abdo - Lena

Rachel Bailey - Wendla

Wendy Bairdv - Adult Woman

Danny Bertaux - Melchior

Ellie Borzilleri - Ilse

Javier del Pilar - Moritz

Avia Fields - Martha

Megan Henderson - Thea

Jonathan Miot - Otto

Michael Nugent - Hanschen

Jonathan Schuyler - Ernst

Jake Stuart - Adult Man

Katie Tyler - Anna

Rick Westerkamp - Georg

v Red Branch Theatre Company Ambassador

Production Staff:

Directed and Choreographed by Jenny Male

Music Direction by Dustin Merrell

Stage Management: Dana Fleischer

Lighting Design: David Smith

Set Design: Heidi Castle-Smith

Costume Design: Elisha Bryant

Individual tickets available for purchase online at www.redbranchtheatrecompany.com or by calling the box office at (410) 997-9352. Tickets: Students & Seniors: $20; Adults in advance: $25; At the door: $28. Groups of 10 or more should call the box office directly. Performance Dates and Times: April 17-18, 24-25, 30 & May 1-2 at 8 PM; April 19 & 26 at 3 PM at the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD 21045.