Spring Awakening
First published in 1891, Frühlings Erwachen created an instant scandal in Germany and took 14 years to receive a successful staging. Over its hundred year history it has often been performed in expurgated form but it remains, at its heart, a story that is tender, funny, sad, surreal and deeply poetic.
Three fourteen year-olds (Melchior, Wendla, and Moritz) feel their lives quickly changing as puberty overtakes them. The adult world, which hangs distantly over their own, fails to give them the knowledge and guidance they need, leaving them to philosophize, rage, and plunge headlong into tragic decisions.
Strawdog welcomes director Stuart Carden to the Dog House for the third and final show of our 15th Season.
“Carden and his cast confront the play on its own terms, conjuring the fear, the anguish, the appetite, the sensuality and even, at times, the crazy humor in it all.”
— Chicago Sun-Times
“Performances…that combine headlong exuberance with measured despair.”
— Chicago Reader
Cast
Anita Deely
as Mrs Bergmann
Chris Hainsworth
as Mr. Gabor/Prof. Stickytongue/Pastor Skinnytum
Kyle Hamman*
as Melchoir
Tom Hickey*
as Moritz
Shannon Hoag*
as Wendla
Carolyn Klein
as Mrs. Gabor
Anderson Lawfer*
as Otto
Creative Team
Frank Wedekind
Author
Stuart Carden
Director
Sean T. Mallary
Light Design
Aly Renee Amidei*
Costume Design
John Ferrick*
Producer
* Strawdog Theatre ensemble member