ALTOONA – Penn State Altoona will present the rock musical Spring Awakening, April 4 – 7, in the Wolf Kuhn Theatre of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 general admission.
Spring Awakening, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, is inspired by Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 play Spring’s Awakening – A Tragedy of Childhood, which caused a scandal in 19th-century Germany and took fifty years to be translated into English. This poignant story follows a group of teenagers as they navigate the confusing and often troubled waters of their budding sexuality. Its acclaimed score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater turns this timeless story into a powerfully modern coming-of-age rock musical.
Directed by Bryce Britton, musically directed by Bonnie Cuthforth-Huber, and choreographed by KT Huckabee, this show features a powerful ensemble of thirteen performers and a rich seven-piece orchestra conducted by Brett Keith. Costumes are designed by Julie Piotti, sets by Carlos Ruiz, lights by Brittany Thayer, and sound by Gregory Ray.
This production is entered as a Participating Entry with the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, which recognizes excellence in college and university theatre throughout the nation. Penn State Altoona’s theatre program is highly decorated in achievements from KC/ACTF. Several student actors and crew on Spring Awakening have been awarded Certificates of Merit and have been nominated to compete for national acting scholarships. Several of the college’s past productions have been presented at KC/ACTF regional festival.
Tickets for Spring Awakening may be purchased at the box office Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and before and during all performances. You may also call 814-949-5452 or visit the Penn State Altoona Web site at www.altoona.psu.edu for more information.