"Spring Awakening" to be Performed April 17-20

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University at Buffalo will present Jonathan Franzen's 2007 translation of Frank Wedekind's 1891 masterpiece, "Spring Awakening." The play will be performed in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus under the direction of Kate LoConti.

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. April 17 and 18, 2 p.m. April 19 and 5 p.m. April 20.

First performed under censorship in 1906, and closed after one performance in New York City in 1917, "Spring Awakening" examines the blossoming of sexual cravings and opening of human desires in young people, and the adult forces systematically closing them down.

At the heart of this story lies the faithful friendship of Melchior and Moritz. Best friends and two sides of the same coin, Melchior assured and Moritz insecure, they both fight to realize happiness in a world designed to delay adulthood. At the same time, their school buddies are secretly exploring sexual orientation issues and dealing with suicides, while the girls in their town are reeling from physical abuse by family members and teen pregnancies. This young pack is at a tipping point, constantly pushing against the glass ceiling imposed by parents and teachers who wish to help them.

LoConti, a recent graduate of Columbia University's master of fine arts theatre program, will direct a 14-member ensemble in this production's exploration of style and form, dream and reality, old and new.

The production will feature the talents of cast members Tyger Barros, Elijah Coleman, Rachel Halper, Kelly Jakiel, Danielle Sade James, Jordan Levin, Brandon Martin, Matthew Nerber, Greg Przybylak, Brittany Sellers, Bob Van Valin, RJ Voltz, Michael Wallace and Taylor Zito,; assistant director is Rob Tucker, dramaturg is Amy Martin and stage manager/co-designer is Collin Ranney.

Tickets for Spring Awakening are $8 general admission. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center for the Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS.