Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire today announced casting for its upcoming, extremely limited-run production of the rock musical Spring Awakening, set to play just 18 performances over three weeks in January.
The 2007 musical, adapted by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik from the 1906 play by German dramatist Frank Wedekind, depicts sexually awakening, 19th-century German teenagers doomed by the prudishness of the adults around them. Leading the angsty pack are Patrick Rooney as Melchior, Ben Barker as Moritz and Eliza Palasz as Wendla. The multiple adult roles will be played by Hollis Resnik and Kevin Gudahl.
Completing the cast are Betsy Stewart as Ilse, Brian Bohr as Hanschen, Nick Graffanga as Ernst, Nate Lewellyn as Otto, Liam Quealy as Georg, Adhana Cemone Reid as Martha, Elizabeth Stenholt as Thea and Tiffany Tatreau as Anna, with Caleb Baze, Anna Blanchard, Derek Hasenstab, Callie Johnson and Garrett Lutz. Marriott artistic director Aaron Thielen will direct the show.
Offered separately from Marriott's subscription season, the "R-rated" material is a bit edgier than the theater's usual fare, as producer Terry James acknowledged in a press release. "We’re using this three-week window in our season as an opportunity to present something outside of our traditional repertoire," James said. "From the style of music to the reconfiguration of our unique arena stage, I think we’re going to surprise a lot of our regular patrons."
Spring Awakening runs January 14–31. Marriott's current production of the musical Elf continues through December 31.