Sydney awakens to a Broadway smash hit

Sydney will awaken to one of the most controversial and exciting musicals of the last decade early next year when the Sydney Theatre Company presents Spring Awakening at the Sydney Theatre.

Spring Awakening, the hit musical merging Frank Wedekind’s controversial, classic play with an indie-rock score by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, has its Australian premiere as part of Sydney Theatre Company’s 2010 Main Stage season. 

On Broadway, Spring Awakening won eight Tony Awards in 2007 including Best Musical and has subsequently become a cross-generational music theatre phenomenon throughout the world. 

Directed by Geordie Brookman (Metro Street, Baghdad Wedding) with choreography by Kate Champion (The Age I’m In, Same Same But Different, Dirty Dancing) Sydney Theatre Company’s production offers a fresh, new aesthetic to the acclaimed musical as the first ever ‘non-replica production’. With an exceptional cast comprised primarily of young performers, many of whom have been found through open auditions, performances are at Sydney Theatre from February 4.

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 Ernst (Scott Morris) along the way.

Helen Dallimore, 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.

The full cast is Akos Armont, Clare Bowen, Ali Calder, Olivia Charalambous, Thomas Conroy, Helen Dallimore, Edward Grey, Andrew Hazzard, Nicholas Kong, Erica Lovell, Scott Morris, Angela Scundi, Rebecca Lee Slade, Berynn Schwerdt, Christy Sullivan, Jamie Ward and Alex Woodward.

Bookings: (02) 9250 1777.