In Rehearsal With Marlee Matlin, Camryn Manheim, and Spring Awakening
(© David Gordon)
The cast of Michael Arden's new Broadway revival of Spring Awakening met the press on Tuesday, August 25 to preview the production, which comes to New York City following an acclaimed run in Los Angeles.
Arden's version of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's Tony-winning musical, which originated in 2014 as a production of Deaf West Theatre, is performed simultaneously in English and American Sign Language. Based on the 1891 Frank Wedekind play and set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late-19th-century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers.
The cast is made up of deaf and hearing actors, a list that includes Miles Barbee (Otto), Katie Boeck (Voice of Wendla/Guitars, Piano), Alex Boniello (Voice of Moritz/Guitar), Joshua Castille (Ernst), Daniel Durant (Moritz), Treshelle Edmond (Martha), Sandra Mae Frank (Wendla), Kathryn Gallagher (Voice of Martha/Guitar), Sean Grandillo (Voice of Otto/Bass), Russell Harvard (Adult Men), Amelia Hensley (Thea), Lauren Luiz (Heidi/Voice of Thea), Camryn Manheim (Adult Women), Marlee Matlin (Adult Women), Austin McKenzie (Melchior), Andy Mientus (Hanschen), Patrick Page (Adult Men), Krysta Rodriguez (Ilse), Daniel David Stewart (Voice of Ernst), Ali Stroker (Anna), Alexandra Winter (Harp/Gretl), and Alex Wyse (Georg). Swings include Elizabeth Greene, Daniel Marmion, Robert Ariza, Lizzy Cuesta, Van Hughes, and Ren.
Check out TheaterMania's photos from the open rehearsal in the gallery below.
With book and lyrics by Sater and music by Sheik, the production features choreography by Spencer Liff. The creative team includes Dane Laffrey (scenic and costume design), Ben Stanton (lighting design), Gareth Owen (sound design), and Lucy Mackinnon (projection design).
The production will open on September 27 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre for a run of "absolutely 18 weeks only" that must conclude on January 9, 2016. Previews begin September 8.
For tickets and more information, click here.
