Deaf West's Spring Awakening at Brooks Atkinson Theatre
The previously rumoured Broadway transfer of Deaf West Theatre's revival of Spring Awakening is now official. Previews are scheduled to begin at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 8 September 2015, before an opening night on 27 September. The strictly limited engagement will end on 9 January 2016, with no possibility of an extension.
There is no official word on casting yet or whether "Smash" stars Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez, will transfer with the show.
The Deaf West Theatre show, which is performed in both American Sign Language and spoken English, is directed by Mientus' fiance Michael Arden and features choreography by Spencer Liff. Ken Davenport, Cody Lassen, Hunter Arnold, along with Deaf West Theatre, are producing the Broadway production.
Based on Frank Wedekind's controversial 1891 expressionist play of the same name, Spring Awakening follows "the lives of a group of adolescents as they navigate their journey from adolescence to adulthood in a fusion of morality, sexuality and rock 'n' roll."
The musical features music by Duncan Sheik, and book and lyrics by Steven Sater. The narrative explores "how young people navigate the thrilling, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening. The story centers around a brilliant young student named Melchior, his troubled friend Moritz and Wendla, a beautiful young girl on the verge of womanhood."
Spring Awakening originally opened on 10 December 2006 at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre. It picked up an impressive 8 Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical. It closed on 18 January 2009, after 859 performances. The cast also featured "Glee" favourites Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele, as well as Krysta Rodriguez.
The show also ran at London's Novello Theatre from 21 March to 30 May 2009.
Originally published on