Spring Awakening to close on Broadway

The Broadway musical Spring Awakening, winner of the 2007 Tony Award for Best Musical, will play its final performance on 18 Jan 2009.

The producers said "When this incredible journey began, who would have imagined, we'd play close to 900 Broadway performances, win eight Tony Awards, and recoup the show's investment in just eight months? Spring Awakening was a glorious challenge from the very start, a challenge that a remarkable creative team took on and transformed into a life-changing experience. And while our Broadway run will come to an end this January, Spring Awakening will continue to touch audiences across the country, through our national tour, and around the world, with productions soon to open in London, Vienna, Toronto, Helsinki and Seoul."

Spring Awakening opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 10 Dec 2006, following previews from 17 Nov 2006.

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 Hunter Parrish (Melchior Gabo), Alexandra Socha (Wendla Bergman), Gerard Canonico (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.