Spring Awakening: Blake Bashoff to replace John Gallagher, Jr. on 18 Dec, Kate Burton to join cast on 21 Dec 2007

Blake Bashoff will make his Broadway debut in the musical Spring Awakening on 18 Dec 2007 when he assumes the role of 'Mortiz' from John Gallagher, Jr,. Gallagher, who won the 2007 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of 'Mortiz' will play his final performance on 16 Dec 2007.

Blake Bashoff is known to TV audiences for his guest appearances as 'Karl' in the ongoing ABC series 'Lost,' and for his portrayal of the character 'Eric Black' in the CBS series 'Judging Amy ' (1999 - 2005.)

On 21 Dec 2007 Kate Burton will replace Christine Estabrook in portraying all the adult femae characters in the musical. Burtin has been nominated three times for Tony Awards: 'The Constant Wife' (2005 revival), 'The Elephant Man' (2002 revival) and 'Hedda Gabbler' (2001 revival).

Is has also been announced that Jonathan Groff (Melchior Gabor) and Lea Michele (Wendla Bergman) have renewed their contracts and will remian with the show through to 18 May 2008. Groff was nominated for a 2007 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Melchior Gabor.

Spring Awakening opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 10 Dec 2006, following previews from 17 Nov 2006. The show is booking to the 23 Dec 2007.

Spring Awakening is adapted from Frank Wedekind's controversial masterpiece about a dozen young people and how they make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening.

Directed by Michael Mayer and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, Spring Awakening has music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater.

The cast currently features Jonathan Groff (Melchior Gabor), Lea Michele (Wendla Bergman), John Gallagher, Jr. (Mortiz), Skylar Astin (Georg), Lilli Cooper (Martha), Gideon Glick (Ernst), Brian Johnson (Otto), Lauren Pritchard (Ilse), Phoebe Strole (Anna), Jonathan B. Wright (Hanschen), and Remy Zaken (Thea), Stephen Spinella (Male Adult characters) and Christine Estabrook (Female Adult Characters).

Spring Awakening had its world premiere at the off-Broadway Atlantic Theatre (15 Jun - 6 Aug 2006). With the exception of Stephen Spinella and Christine Estabrook, the Off- Broadway cast transferred with the production when it moved to Broadway.

The Broadway show also has the same creative team as the earlier Atlantic Theatre production: Set design by Christine Jones, with costumes by Susan Hilferty and lighting by Kevin Adams.

The Broadway production of Spring Awakening is produced by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce and the Atlanta Theatre Company.