Florida Rep's Conservatory Opens Tony-Winning Best Musical SPRING AWAKENING

Florida Repertory Theatre's Education Department is pleased to present "Spring Awakening," with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater. The eight-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical is the next offering in the theatre's popular Conservatory Program and runs August 9-11 and 15-17 in the Historic Arcade Theatre. Conservatory tickets are $25/$20 for adults and $10 for students.

"Spring Awakening" explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll that has been exhilarating audiences across the nation since it took Broadway by storm in 2006. The coming of age story for a group of teens is told through music that Entertainment Weekly called "the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade!"

"'Spring Awakening' is based on the play of the same name and is well over 100 years old," said Education Director, Kody C Jones. "The reason that this piece has stayed so universally reverent, topical, and imperative is that it deals with the same taboo subjects that we are still challenged with now in 2019. Using this show as a vehicle for artistic interpretation and self-enlightenment, the cast is able to channel these deep themes and struggles in every adolescent life and bring that poignancy to the stage in a way that resonates with both teens and adults."

Set in Germany, 1891, "Spring Awakening" follows a group of teens as they begin to navigate the murky waters of adolescence, puberty, and self-discovery. The teens fall in and out of love, rebel against the adults in their lives, and discover the joy and the pain adulthood brings. The musical deals very frankly with issues that face teens today, and does so with a one-of-a-kind score, fresh choreography, fully-developed characters, and a timeless story.

"It's a vivid, intense piece of dramatic literature that addresses head-on many of the challenges that young people faced then and now," says Florida Rep Artistic Director, Greg Longenhagen. "While the main characters that inhabit the world of the play are teenagers, the themes are quite adult. To prepare audiences, we've included a Parental Advisory for Explicit Content label on the production. I am proud that Kody and our Education Department continue to raise the bar by exploring timely topics that concern our children's safety, well-being, and happiness. As a father, I can't think of anything more precious or important than our children."

The cast of "Spring Awakening" features 22 teens and students from across Southwest Florida and one hailing from as far away as Connecticut, as well as two local professionals who play all of the adult roles in the musical. Some are making their Florida Rep Conservatory debuts, but many of the cast are veterans of the Conservatory Program and other Florida Rep Education programs. The cast includes Chance Cintron, Yuliana Garcia, Athena Kelley, Brice Kingsley, Isaac Kueber, Gigi Lieze-Adams, Lulu Lieze-Adams, Weldeler Lordeus, Violet Mann, Jesse Massari, Katie Means, Christian Miller, Ben O'Brien, Sam O'Brien, Matteo Occhino, Kiana Pinder, Nicole Ribeiro, Dylan Snedden, Nicole Stanco, Presley True, Sawyer True, Scotty Wells, as well as local professionals, Cantrella Canady and Patrick Mounce.

Florida Rep Education Director, Kody C Jones directs the production and is joined by a professional design team including Musical Director Rosaline Metcalf-O'Donnell, Choreographer Susan Young, Set Designer Jordan Moore, Costume Designer Renee Baker, Lighting Designer Andrew McDaniels, Sound Designer Katie Lowe, and Stage Managers Caycelynn Hoggard and Susan Dohan. The production staff also includes several Conservatory Students working behind the scenes alongside the professional designers and technicians in various production capacities. They are Annalise Moeggenberg, TaKayla Mozell, Carlos Robbins, Kayci Suskind, Gaby Steinborn, Chase Clark, and Alex Stanco.

"Spring Awakening" is generously sponsored by Mary Denison and Ben Simmons.

"Spring Awakening" plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre over two weekends August 9 through 11 and 15 through 17. Tickets are $10 for students with a valid ID and $25/$20 for adults. Tickets are available online at www.FloridaRepEducation.org or by calling the box office at 239.332.4488 or toll-free at 877-787-8053.

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