PHILIPSBURG — Front and Centre Productions INSPIRE Community Theatre’s College+ Production of Spring Awakening!
Front and Centre Productions INSPIRE Community Theatre’s College+ is proud to announce the upcoming performance of Spring Awakening at the Philipsburg Elks Lodge and Country Club on June 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m.
Winner of eight Tony Awards in 2007, including best musical, Spring Awakening is based on the play by Frank Wedekind, and features a book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik.
With an electrifying score that swings from folk to rock, Spring Awakening follows the unforgettable journey of a group of students in late 19th century Germany as they move from adolescence into adulthood.
Facing both the devastation and the wonder of sexuality and self-discovery, the characters navigate through their coming-of-age despite parents and authority figures who are intent on withholding information and suppressing thought and expression.
Adapted from Frank Widekind’s 1891 expressionist play about the trials, tears, exhilaration of the teen years, which was banned in its time, this modern masterpiece is an exciting fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll.
Directed by Front and Centre Production Executive Director, Stephen Switala, this production has been a long time coming.
“This is a very different style of theatre from Front and Centre, but so very important for our young adults,” states a press release.
“They are struggling with so many of the themes in this story and it is time we allow them the opportunity to share this masterpiece.
“In today’s time, teenagers and young adults face more pressure than ever to succeed, to be beautiful, to show their best self to the world through social media even if they are suffering inside.
“On one side of growing up, there is friendship, freedom, revelation of self, love, stirring emotions, hope for your own future and on the other side…the tumult of societal expectations and the internal struggle of not understanding personal life changes.”
Front and Centre Productions INSPIRE Community Theatre’s College+ is a program that debuted as the newest FAC program the summer of 2022.
Students return from their college, trade school or their job to be involved with theater during their summers.
INSPIRE Community Theatre was developed as an adult program to complement IGNITE Youth Theatre. INSPIRE seeks to offer high-quality theater experiences for those 18 and older.
Cast members represent a wide variety of communities and experiences. Portraying the characters in Spring Awakening are Jenna Bowman (Moshannon Valley) as Wendla, Jack Danko (West Branch) as Melchior, Jillian Bruni-Crytser (DuBois) as Ilse, Dominik Barnyak (Philipsburg-Osceola) as Moritz, Emily Switala (Philipsburg-Osceola) as Martha, Mason Marshall (Clearfield) as Hanschen, Noah Webb (Moshannon Valley) as Georg, Elise DuFour (Clearfield) as Thea, Alexis Hahn (Philipsburg-Osceola) as Anna, Alexa Trimbur (Pittsburgh) as Mary, Phillip Peters (Clearfield) as Ernst, Austin McDanel (Clearfield) as Otto, Stephen Torquato as Adult Man and Kathleen Ammerman as Adult Woman.
Spring Awakening is directed by Stephen Switala with choreography by Sam Potter, costuming by Kim Luzier, prop coordination by Alison Marshall, and vocal coaching by Catherine Mandell.
This show is not appropriate for children and is recommended for those 18 and older. This show contains adult themes and explicit language.
Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase at the door. There is a limit of 150 tickets available for each show. There will not be presale tickets for this production.
The Philipsburg Elks Lodge and Country Club will also be offering a cash bar before the show and during intermission.
Front and Centre Productions, Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization based in Osceola Mills, PA with a threefold mission: (1) to present high quality arts experiences for the cultural education, entertainment, and inspiration of the Moshannon Valley communities, (2) to foster and develop artistic talents and skills of all participants, and (3) to encourage public appreciation of the arts and to develop future audiences and supporters of the arts.
Other programs include IGNITE Youth Theatre, ILLUSIONS Dance Studio, ILLUMINATE Music Lessons, IMAGINE Arts & Crafts and IMPACT Children’s Choir.
