Spring's Awakening June 25, 2010

STAGEStheatre Sparks Controversy With Spring’s Awakening June 25-August 1

Fullerton, CA—STAGEStheatre is proud to present Spring’s Awakening, written by Frank Wedekind and adapted and directed by Mike Martin. The original play that inspired the Tony Award winning Broadway musical brilliantly portrays our paradoxical relationship with the human condition through the lens of a controversial subject matter:  the curiosity of teenagers.  Set in 1890's Germany, three children embark on a mission to explore their newfound interest of sex, a subject suppressed by parents and teachers alike.  In an effort to clear his head from confounding imagery, Moritz - the dunce of his school - asks his best friend, and ace student, Melchior to write an essay for him on the subject of copulation.  Meanwhile, Melchior, the presumptive expert, begins to delve into his own feelings of temptation with childhood friend Wendla, a gentle soul who resists her oncoming womanhood.  The children's exploration leads to actions with grave consequences, culminating in the erasing of all that is familiar.

This exciting new adaptation by Martin craftily combines Wedekind's ideas with a subtle but present contemporary dialog.  The result is a clear articulation of Wedekind's themes for the modern audience, specifically the equal mixture of comedy and tragedy to display the desire that lies within us all.  In the end, the play clearly demonstrates a startling paradox - our tendency to run from and towards truth.

“This is a controversial show, no doubt about it,” says Martin, “It deals with sensitive subjects no matter what the age of the characters might be. My thought is that whether or not the subject matter is uncomfortable for some viewers, it doesn't make the subject any less poignant or revealing. In fact, I think the case could be made that this particular play is more relevant today than it was in the late 1800's. I couldn't be more excited to have a cast of such fearless young performers who are willing to take this journey with me.”

Spring’s Awakening stars: Chris Deacon, Adam Evans, Adam Ferry, Gregory Cesena, William Hart, Adam Poynter, Brian Scott, Samantha Aneson, Jacqueline Lee, Justine De Jesus, Brittany Stetson, Ashley Bravo and Stephanie Bull.

Tickets for Spring’s Awakening are $18.00/ $15.00 for students and seniors and can be purchased on our website at www.stagesoc.org. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

STAGEStheatre is located at 400 E. Commonwealth in Downtown Fullerton (between Lemon and Balcom.) www.stagesoc.org

Official Website: http://www.stagesoc.org