Spring Awakening: Kyle Riabko assumes the role of 'Melchior'

As previously announced Canadian musician Kyle Riabko will make his Broadway debut this evening (23 May 2008) when he succeeds Tony-Award nominee Jonathan Groff as 'Melchior' in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening.

Singer/songwriter, Riabko has toured with the likes of John Mayer, Maroon 5, BB King and others. He released a full-length record on Columbia Records titled 'Before I Speak' in 2005. He will appear in season four of 'Instant Star' as 'Milo,' an Instant Star contestant, scheduled to begin airing Jun 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 currently booking through 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 Gabor), 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) and Christine Estabrook (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.