The MSU School of Film & Photography presents the 2007 Tony Award-winning rock musical, Spring Awakening, with music by Duncan Sheik, as well as book and lyrics by Steven Sater, at MSU’s Black Box Theater, April 7th – 23rd. Based on Frank Wedekind’s once-banned and still provocative German play Spring Awakening (1891), the musical is set in late 19th century Germany, and tells the timeless story of teenagers facing the challenges of adolescent love, rebellion, and sexuality. The original Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and a Grammy Award for the original cast album.
MSU’s production, directed by Cara Wilder, features a multi-talented cast of student and community singer/actors, a live band under the musical direction of Stefan Stern, choreography by Shari Watson, and special effects created by MSU Film, Engineering and Music Tech students. Called “a vital leap forward for the American musical” by Time Out, Spring Awakening broke new ground for the genre and has become the must-see musical of a new generation. The New York Times proclaimed, “…with a ravishing rock score…this brave, new musical, haunting and electrifying by turns, restores the mystery, the thrill to that shattering transformation that stirs in all of our souls, some time around the age of thirteen…the voyage back is a deeply rewarding one.”
Performances of Spring Awakening will be Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees at 3pm, April 7th – 23rd. The Black Box Theater is located at the corner of 11th and Grant streets with free parking available in the adjacent lots.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students. These are available at Cactus Records and www.cactusrecords.net, First Interstate Bank in the Strand Union Building and the Visual Communications Building on campus, or at the door pending availability. This production contains nudity and is recommend for ages 15+. For more information, please call (406)994-3904. •