By Myles Goldman
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
There’s been an awakening in the Post Theatre Company as theatre students prepare to perform Frank Wedekind’s “Spring Awakening,” premiering on Nov. 10 in the Little Theatre. Stephen Davis, the director, is a professor at Saint Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. The cast consists of 24 sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Although the adapted version of “Spring Awakening” put to music by Duncan Sheik is more of a rock concert; the LIU Post version is quite different. “The original production was a mashup of a Broadway show and a rock concert; this will be a more expressionistic, whimsical acoustic version of the show. It is ours,” Davis said. “The elements the show explores will be greatly devised by the cast, making most of the work completely original. This entire process has been a team effort. Every voice is heard, and every idea is explored. It’s a very exciting way to create a piece.”
‘Spring Awakening’ is a story of relationships, between adults or parents, and children, and how society affects the growth of youth,” Ervin Gonzalez, senior musical theatre major, said. The musical explores the concepts of sexual awakening, rebellion and self-discovery as teenagers come of age in a repressive society.
On a recent day, the cast rehearsed a piece from the original soundtrack in the Theater, Film, Dance and Arts Management building. The round shape of the stage was outlined by tape on the floor so the actors could adjust to the performance area. The students showed great chemistry with each other, the scene being rehearsed showed themes of sexuality and authority and the students were not afraid to emphasize each moment.
“We all get along very well,” Christina Kroell, senior musical theatre and film major, said. “The production team created a very open and honest space for us to work in.”
“Spring Awakening” will run Nov. 10-12 and 16-19 in the Little Theatre Mainstage. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. with 3 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Little Theatre box office or online at www. tix55.com/ptc700.
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