Arts and Entertainment

Penn State Centre Stage to present 'Spring Awakening'

Professionals, students collaborate on rock musical

Gregory LaMontagne and Christina Kidd rehearsed a scene from the Penn State Centre Stage production of "Spring Awakening" at the Pavilion Theatre on Oct. 24. Directed by Cary Libkin, the musical production will open Nov. 4 and runs through Nov. 18. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Centre Stage will present Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s Tony Award-Winning musical, "Spring Awakening," Nov. 4 to 18 in the Pavilion Theatre. Directed by Cary Libkin, "Spring Awakening" is an electrifying fusion or morality, sexuality and rock 'n' roll music that explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion.

Note: This show includes profanity and mature subject matter that may be objectionable to some audience members.

Based on the controversial German play "Spring Awakening" (1891) by Frank Wedekind, the folk-infused rock musical tells the story of teenagers discovering the internal and external tumult of sexuality. Following its conception in the late 1990s and various workshops, concerts, rewrites and its Off-Broadway debut, the original Broadway production of "Spring Awakening" opened in 2006, winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Direction, Book, Score and Featured Actor. The production also garnered four Drama Desk Awards and its original cast album received a Grammy Award.

Carrie Brandon, left, and Christian Thompson rehearsing a scene from 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre. The folk-infused rock musical opens November 4 at the Pavilion Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. Call 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Gregory LaMontagne and Christina Kidd rehearsed a song from the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre on Oct. 24. Directed by Cary Libkin, the production will open November 4 and runs through November 18. Call 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Director Cary Libkin, center, provided notes to actors Christina Kidd and Gregory LaMontagne during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre on October 24. Libkin is Head of Penn State's BFA in Musical Theatre Program. 'Spring Awakening' opens November 4 at the Pavilion Theatre on the University Park campus. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Christian Thompson, right, performed with Carrie Brandon during a rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre on October 24. Both Thompson and Brandon are seniors in Penn State's School of Theatre. The musical opens November 4 and runs through Nov. 18 at the Pavilion Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. Call 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Set construction, lighting design and rehearsals are underway at Penn State's Pavilion Theatre for the Penn State Centre Stage Production of the rock musical 'Spring Awakening' opening November 4. Visit http://theatre.psu.edu/performances/current for more information. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Carrie Brandon, left, and Christian Thompson rehearsing a scene from 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre. The folk-infused rock musical opens November 4 at the Pavilion Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. Call 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Gregory LaMontagne and Christina Kidd rehearsed a song from the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre on Oct. 24. Directed by Cary Libkin, the production will open November 4 and runs through November 18. Call 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Director Cary Libkin, center, provided notes to actors Christina Kidd and Gregory LaMontagne during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre on October 24. Libkin is Head of Penn State's BFA in Musical Theatre Program. 'Spring Awakening' opens November 4 at the Pavilion Theatre on the University Park campus. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Christian Thompson, right, performed with Carrie Brandon during a rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Spring Awakening' at the Pavilion Theatre on October 24. Both Thompson and Brandon are seniors in Penn State's School of Theatre. The musical opens November 4 and runs through Nov. 18 at the Pavilion Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. Call 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Set construction, lighting design and rehearsals are underway at Penn State's Pavilion Theatre for the Penn State Centre Stage Production of the rock musical 'Spring Awakening' opening November 4. Visit http://theatre.psu.edu/performances/current for more information. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

“I feel so fortunate to be directing the musical, 'Spring Awakening,' for Penn State Centre Stage” said Cary Libkin, head of Penn State’s bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater and musical theater programs. “Based on the play of the same name written in 1891, both versions are controversial, provocative and immensely entertaining. Set in Penn State’s Pavilion Theatre, this intimate staging of 'Spring Awakening' will offer a unique reimagining of the Broadway hit.”

For additional show information, visit www.theatre.psu.edu. Tickets are available at Penn State Tickets Downtown, Eisenhower Box Office, Bryce Jordan Center or by calling 814-863-0255 or 800-ARTS-TIX. 

Penn State Centre Stage is the professional arm of the Penn State School of Theatre and serves as a training program for emerging theater professionals. One of Centre Stage's unique attributes is that it creates collaborations between established industry professionals and theater students from Penn State and other colleges and universities. Each Center State production is created from conception to completion at Penn State using skills mastered and taught by its acclaimed theater faculty. As a result, Penn State is one of the top ranked universities in the country for its theater training programs.

Last Updated October 28, 2014

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