spring-awakening-set


Model of the Spring Awakening set.



From October 24 to November 9, the Department of Theatre will present
Spring Awakening
, music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater.  Winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical,
Spring Awakening
is a rock musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist dramatic masterpiece about teenage self-discovery.  The musical explores the confusion and desperation that ensue when the onrushing tide of hormones meets the ignorance of children, and celebrates the journey from youth to adulthood with power, poignancy, and passion. 
Spring Awakening
is a groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that you will never forget.

Spring Awakening
is directed by Jim Taulli, the Associate Dean in the College of the Arts at California State University, Fullerton, and will feature set design by Eric Barker.  Says Mr. Barker of the set, “My concept is to create an overall sense of tension, sexual discovery, innocence, and pending tragedy.  While maintaining a phantasmagorical thread between 18th century German teenagers and the teenagers of today.  There are scenes in
Spring Awakening
that suggest the need  for a large tree.   So, the installation of old school chairs is being used as a metaphorical tree and tree branch.  The director, Jim Taulli, asked for a sense of danger or pending doom overhead of the actors, i.e. a claw-like appearance looming overhead.  That is where the large tree branch breaking through the proscenium comes into play.  Since these characters are high school students, I chose to use old school chairs to project the idea of an academic environment.”

**This production includes mature themes, sexual situations and strong language and is not suitable for children under the age of 16.

Spring Awakening plays in the Waltmar Theatre Oct. 34-26 and Nov. 7-9 at 7:30pm, with additional performances Oct. 26 and Nov. 9 at 2pm.  Tickets are $20 general admission; $15 senior citizens, students and alumni; $10 with Chapman ID; $5 rush with Chapman ID, cash only.