Spring Awakening: Kristine Nielsen to join cast on 4 Mar

Kristine Nielsen is to join the cast of the Broadway musical Spring Awakening on 4 Mar 2008, when she assumes the role of the show's female adult characters from Kate Burtun. Burton, who has been playing the role since 21 Dec 2007, will make her final performance on 2 Mar 2008.

Nielsen's Broadway credits include 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (2005 revival), 'The Green Bird' (2000), Jackie (1997) and The Iceman Cometh (1985 revival), she was recently seen off-Broadway in Busch's 'Die, Mommie, Die!'

Nielsen is to appear in the Roundabout's Broadway revival of Christopher Hampton's dark comedy, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which begins previews at the American Airlines Theatre from 11 Apr 2008.

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 Jonathan Groff (Melchior Gabor), Lea Michele (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) and Kate Burton (Female Adult Characters).

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.