Spring Awakening: Hunter Parrish to play 'Melchior' from 18 Aug

Hunter Parrish will make his Broadway debut on 18 Aug 2008 when he succeeds Kyle Riabko as 'Melchior' in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening.

Hunter can currently be seen as 'Silas', the rabble-rousing older son of Mary-Louise Parker on the highly acclaimed Showtime series 'Weeds,' now in its fourth season.

Kyle Riabko will play his final performance on 2 Aug 2008, he is leaving the show to head the cast of the National Tour of Spring Awakening

�I have always hoped that my passion for the theatre would eventually lead me to Broadway,� says Parrish. Spring Awakening is a truly one-of-a-kind show with its timeless story, commanding music and innovative imagery. I am elated to have the opportunity to become a part of it.�

A statement from the producers says, �We are thrilled to have Hunter Parrish join the cast and welcome him to the Spring Awakening family. We knew Hunter is a wonderful actor, the surprise is that he is also a terrific singer. He will be a great asset to the company.�

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 30 Aug 2008.

The musical opened to excellent reviews: "A palpable hit." (New York Theatre Guide); "If Broadway audiences are lucky, it will run for many seasons to come." (New York Daily News); "This is a must-see musical" (New York Post); "A gorgeous score. A passionate story. A charismatic production." (Sar-Ledger); "It is sexy, original and beautifully crafted." (Journal News); "A truly original new musical like 'Spring Awakening' is exhilarating." (Variety).

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 Kyle Riabko (Melchior Gabo), Alexandra Socha (Wendla Bergman), ***Blake Bashoff (Mortiz), Skylar Astin (Georg), Lilli Cooper (Martha), Blake Daniel (Ernst), Brian Charles Johnson (Otto), Emma Hunton (Ilse), Phoebe Strole (Anna), Jonathan B. Wright (Hanschen), Remy Zaken (Thea), Glenn Fleshler (Male Adult characters), Christine Estabrook (Female Adult Characters).

***Note: Blake Bashoff is leaving the show to also star in the show's national tour, there has been no announcement about his replacement.

The musical's creative team features set design by Christine Jones, 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.

Spring Awakening had its world premiere at the off-Broadway Atlantic Theatre where it ran from 15 Jun - 6 Aug 2006.