‘Spring Awakening’ Revival Headed to Broadway This Fall
By Nora Dominick ‘17/Emertainment Monthly Assistant Stage Editor
Spring Awakening fans get ready to rock out to the Tony Award winning musical once again. The critically acclaimed production of Spring Awakening at the Deaf West Theatre is currently eyeing a return to Broadway in the fall of 2015. Spring Awakening is one of the biggest, rock musicals of a generation and now it will be enjoyed by a whole new generation.
According to Deadline, the revival headed by Broadway favorite Michael Arden is headed to a theater on Broadway. Casting has not been confirmed for the Broadway production and a theater has not been confirmed. The headliners of the Deaf West production were Smash and Broadway favorites Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus. No word yet on if the duo will follow the production to Broadway.
With music by the incomparable Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater, Spring Awakening was re-imaged from the Frank Wedekind 1891 play. Spring Awakening takes risks and boldly depicts how young people navigate the confusing, thrilling and mysterious time of their sexual awakening. The story centers around a brilliant young student named Melchior, his troubled friends Moritz and Wendla, a beautiful young girl on the verge of womanhood.
Spring Awakening opened on Broadway in 2006 and quickly took the Broadway community by storm. The music by Sheik coupled with the powerful lyrics by Sater propelled the musical along with the young stars to Broadway stardom. Leading off this breakthrough cast was Jonathan Groff as Melchior. Groff made his Broadway debut in the production alongside a pre-Glee Lea Michele as Wendla. Groff and Michele would propel this musical to new and exciting heights alongside Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. as Moritz.
Since Spring Awakening closed the stars of the musical have gone onto numerous film, stage and television roles. Of course, Lea Michele would go onto star in the critically acclaimed FOX show Glee and this fall she can bee seen in FOX’s brand new show Scream Queens. Groff would of course reunite with Michele on Glee as Jesse St. James and he would star in HBO’s The Normal Heart and Looking. Next season Groff can be seen as King George III in the anticipated musical Hamilton. John Gallagher Jr. just finished a successful run this past year in the HBO TV series The Newsroom and of course Skylar Astin would take his killer dance moves and amazing vocal range to the Pitch Perfect film series.
Spring Awakening would pick up eleven Tony Award nominations at the 2007 ceremony and would walk away with eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. After 859 performances Spring Awakening closed on January 18, 2009. The 2007 Tony Awards performance by Spring Awakening remains one of the best in recent years. The music of Spring Awakening has transcended generations and features now classic songs like “Mama Who Bore Me”, “Totally F**ked”, “Whispering”, “Those You’ve Known” and “Bitch of Living.”
The Deaf West production was choreographed by Hedwig and the Angry Inch’s Spencer Liff and was performed in both American Sign Language and English. Casting is sure to be announced soon and a venue will also be solidified. Get ready to rock with Spring Awakening this fall on Broadway!