Spring Awakening at Thalian Hall

It is Germany, 1891, a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body and wonders aloud where babies come from... until Mama tells her to shut it and put on a proper dress. Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy, Moritz – a boy so traumatized by puberty that he can't concentrate on anything... not that the Headmaster cares. He strikes them both and tells them to turn in their lesson. One afternoon, in a private place in the woods, Melchior and Wendla meet by accident and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they've ever felt. As they fumble their way into one another's arms, Moritz flounders and soon fails out of school. When even his one adult friend, Melchior's mother, ignores his plea for help, he is left so distraught that he can't hear the promise of life offered by his outcast friend, Ilse. Naturally, the Headmasters waste no time in pinning the "crime" of Moritz's suicide on Melchior to expel him. And soon, Mama learns that her little Wendla is pregnant. Now the young lovers must struggle against all odds to build a world together for their child.

This celebration of rebellion provides the perfect opportunity to feature performers of all types, as well as the creative flexibility with the use of costumes, set pieces and lighting. Featuring a pop rock score, this is an ideal show for talented vocalists with strong acting abilities. Join this group of late nineteenth century German students on their passage as the navigate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, remarkable Spring Awakening.

The production runs July 7-9, 2023 on the main stage of Historic Thalian Hall in Downtown Wilmington for one weekend only as a part of the OHTC Apprentice Theatre Program. The production team is all making their creative debuts with OHTC: Morganna Bridgers as director, Amanda Hunter-Clawges as music director, Olivia Walton as choreographer, and Jace Carlyle Berry as intimacy coordinator. Tickets are available at www.OperaHouseTheatreCompany.org.

The cast of Spring Awakening includes: Jakob Gruntfest as Melchior, Sydney Short as Wendla, Tanner Smith as Moritz, Sara Rudeseal as Ilse, Lilly Goddard as Martha, Addison Hamlet as Anna, Gracyn Strickland as Thea, Adam Compton as Hänschen, Dylan Szuch as Ernst, Aidan Koppinger as Georg, Connor Perry as Otto, Matthew Thomas-Reid as the Adult Men, and Erin Sullivan as the Adult Women. The ensemble includes Logan Hayes, Sydney Jones and Lily Zukerman.