Collaboration brings Baldwin-Wallace Music Theatre Program to Lakewood
Raw energy and the wonder of youthful passion hits the Beck Center for the Arts Mackey Main Stage in Spring Awakening, playing now through March 4, 2012. In collaboration with Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre program, the Tony Award-winning rock musical is an explosion of talent and temptation.
Director Victoria Bussert, also the director of Music Theatre at Baldwin-Wallace College, welcomes the partnership. “I am thrilled about this initial collaboration between the Beck Center and Baldwin-Wallace,” exclaimed Bussert “especially on such a ground-breaking piece in American musical theater.”
Featuring Equity actors Scott Plate and Laura Perrotta as the adult male and female characters, Spring Awakening boasts a talented cast of 17 young actors from B-W’s nationally recognized Music Theatre program.
Based on the Frank Wedekind play, Spring Awakening has won eight Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards and one Grammy Award. The story explores the chaotic ride from adolescence to adulthood. With book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, Spring Awakening is an exhilarating mix of morality, sexuality, and rock & roll that includes hard-hitting songs like “Momma Who Bore Me,” “My Junk,” “Totally F*cked” and “The Bitch of Living.”
Taking place in 19th century Germany, the plot follows the youth struggles of Wendla (played by B-W sophomore Kyra Kennedy), Melchior (played by B-W freshman Zach Adkins), Moritz (played by B-W junior James Penca) and their friends as they deal with hot-button issues like abuse, suicide, sexuality and general angst.
The performances are electric. Although the B-W students are at all levels of their education, there is only one way to describe the quality of this presentation: professional joy. Each cast member exudes power and zest, and the group delivers a superior performance worthy of the standing ovation on opening night that occurred before the last note was even played. Also notable - the steady lynch pins of Scott Plate and Laura Perrotta as the adults solidify the mix with experienced flair.
The band (led by B-W senior Ryan Fielding Garrett) is phenomenal. Made up of B-W students, as well, the ensemble rocks out with spirit and enthusiasm that adds a kick-ass feel to the already energetic experience.
Bussert has done an amazing job staging the show, with most of the cast remaining on the Jeff Herrmann-designed and lit set for the entire performance. Gregory Daniels truly captures the essence of adolescent vigor in his choreography. Alison Garrigan’s costume design embodies the 19th German modesty-vs-liberation vibe of the characters. Richard Ingraham’s sound design effectively captures most of the nuances of the production via a mix of hand-held and body mics. Technical Director Joseph Carmola seems to have kept all of the active technical chaos in good order.
The play (which was originally banned in Germany) is not recommended for those under the age of 17, as it features mature language, violence, sexual situations and brief nudity.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 216.521.2540, ext. 10, or by ordering online at www.beckcenter.org. Group discounts are available for parties of 13 or more. Beck Center is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Free onsite parking is available.
Find out more about Baldwin-Wallace’s Music Theatre Program by visiting http://www.bw.edu/academics/conservatory/academics/mtheatre/.
View YouTube videos featuring the B-W Music Theatre Program by CallBackCleveland by clicking here - STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theatre Program #24.
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