When “Spring Awakening” made its 2006 Broadway debut, the Tony Award-winning show defied expectations of what a musical could do with its raw and honest portrayal of youth. Vashon Youth Theatre (VYT) will bring the powerful coming-of-age story to the Vashon High School theater at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.
“Spring Awakening” is a rock musical — written by Steven Sater and composed by Duncan Sheik — based on German playwright Frank Wedekind’s 1891 eponymous play. Set in late 19th century Germany, the musical tells the story of teenagers who encounter the complexity and confusion that comes with growing up and the added difficulty of being misunderstood by adults.
According to VYT Director Elizabeth Ripley, the play is about falling in love, becoming an adult, dealing with success and failure and what happens when young people don’t have support or understanding from grown-ups.
“The plot touches on heavy things, just as the musical ‘Carrie’ did,” Ripley said. “And, just as in ‘Carrie,’ VYT will handle them with intelligence and tact.”
Ripley suggests a PG-13 rating due to the serious topics in the play. VYT is committed to choosing plays that invite “real conversations about real things that impact children as they become young adults,” Ripley said.
Islander and teen DoVE advocate Maijah Sanson-Frey will join the cast on stage for the final song, “Purple Summer,” and invite the audience to participate in a brief after-show conversation.
According to Ripley, Talia Roybal plays the character of Wendla, who knows nothing about life or love until she falls for Melchior, played by Ryan Alumbaugh. Their love is innocent and naïve, leading to trouble for both. Will Wassmann is Moritz, a 19th century nerd with an overactive imagination. When he fails his final exams, his parents reject him, and he has nowhere to turn. Luther Marinez is Georg, a teen who dreams of his piano teacher; Kai Trujillo is Thea, Wendla’s best friend.
Additional cast members are Miles Wingett as Hanschen and Benny Tuel as Ernst. Fiona Westphal is Anna and Ash Woods is Otto. Dianna Ammon and Randy Marinez play all the adult roles.
Set and costume design is by Lillian Ripley; sound design is done by Christian Heilman, light design by Niclas Olson and music direction by Kevin Nortness.
Tickets, sold at Vashon Bookshop, are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and are $10 for students and seniors.
