STAGE TUBE: SPRING AWAKENING at Roxy Regional Theatre

Clarksville's Roxy Regional Theatre opens the landmark musical with a powerful message, Spring Awakening, on Friday, April 13th, at 8:00 p.m., closing May 5.

Winner of 8 Tony Awards including "Best Musical," Spring Awakening celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, poignancy and passion that you will never forget. Adapted from Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play about the trials, tears and exhilaration of the teen years, this rock-infused musical has been hailed as the "Best Musical of the Year" by the New York Times, New York Post, Star Ledger, Journal News, New York Observer and USA Today.

Set in a socially and sexually repressive village in 19th century Germany, this coming of age story follows teenagers Melchior (Matt DuMont), Wendla (Hannah Church), and Moritz (Gregory Pember*) on their journeys of self-discovery. Also featured are Melanie Beck, Josh Bernaski, Ryan Bowie, Regan Featherstone, Humberto Figueroa, Leslie Greene, Erin Keas, Ashley Laverty, John McDonald, Hollie Morse, Sean Ormond, Rob Rodems, Cassie Thompson and Kendall Anne Thompson.

With book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik (known for his 1996 radio hit "Barely Breathing"), Spring Awakening is directed and choreographed by Tom Thayer and features Thayer on piano, alongside Vicki King and Wayne Wyman on strings, Bruce Ervin on bass, Thad Wallus on drums and Jarrod Jackson on guitar.

This production contains strong language, sexual situations and subject matter not appropriate for all audiences.

Spring Awakening runs April 13 through May 5, playing Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.

All tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at (931) 645.7699.

photo by Bill Larson/Clarksville Online

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

More Articles by This Author...