News Release Virginia Repertory Theatre

For Immediate Release Date: May 30, 2012

Contact: Susan Davenport Publicist Virginia Repertory Theatre [email protected] 804-513-8211

Virginia Rep announces Spring Awakening, Winner of 8 Tony Awards Opening at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre on June 15

Featuring a Live Band, On Stage Seating, and an Outstanding Young Cast

Richmond, VA – Virginia Rep Announces the opening of the Broadway hit, Spring Awakening, at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street, on June 15 and running through July 22. Winner of eight 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening examines the unbridled energy that ignites the journey from youth to adulthood. Featuring a live band, on stage seating, and an outstanding young cast, Spring Awakening is the first production under the Virginia Rep name after the merger of Barksdale and Theatre IV. Based on the 1892 play by Frank Wedikind and featuring an explosive indie-rock, folk-infused score by Grammy Award winner Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, this powerful musical journey follows a group of German teenagers as they endure the tumult of discovering their sexuality. The original play was banned in Germany in the late 1800’s for over two decades because of the controversial subject matter.

The original storyline explores the universal issues of adolescent sexuality, teen pregnancy, child abuse, and suicide – issues as prevalent in today’s society as they were 125 years ago. While the teens long for information and communication with adults, the older generation ignores their plea and the results are tragic. Associate Artistic Director of Virginia Rep and Director of Spring Awakening, Chase Kniffen, calls the musical groundbreaking. “The musical version expands on the period play, adding a contemporary music score and giving voice to the youth. We know the show will challenge some audiences due to the explicit language and partial nudity in one scene, but we hope the production encourages communication between parents and kids about these important issues.” Virginia Rep has planned four talkbacks with licensed social workers to discuss the issues presented in the musical. This production is recommended for ages 16 and older.

Virginia Rep welcomes Oliver Houser as Melchior in his first appearance on the November stage. Oliver recently graduated from LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts (the “Fame School”) and will continue in music composition at Hunter College in the fall. He began his career performing with the New York City Opera as a child and appeared in many productions, including Marc Lamos’ celebrated staging of Il Re Pasotre for the Mostly Mozart Festival. Television credits include What Would You Do? on ABC, Phowned on Spike TV and Life on the Line on Oxygen starring Ally Sheedy. Ali Thibodeau (Wendla) is well known for her roles at Virginia Rep including Co Choreographer and Bird Girl in the recent Seussical, Liesl in Sound of Music, and Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2009 RTCC Award). Returning to the November stage after eight years, John Mincks (Moritz) is a rising junior at Virginia Commonwealth University. Recent credits include Troilus in Troilus and Cressida and Henry in Lord of the Flies at Henley Street Theatre. In his spare time he is the lead singer of local indie-rock band, Parlour Shakedown. The show will feature a seven person live band under the direction of Sandy Dacus, seen most recently on the grand piano in Barksdale’s . Other music direction credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2011 RTCC award), , The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee and (2008 RTCC Award). Artistic Director of Starr Foster Dance Project and faculty member of the Richmond Ballet, Starrene Foster will bring her award winning talents to the production as lead choreographer. Full cast and artistic bios available online on the press page www.va-rep.org and rehearsal videos updated weekly on the Virginia Rep Facebook and website.

Talkbacks: June 21, July 8, July 13, July 19

Open Rehearsal on Sunday June 3 during Broad Appetite

Ticket Information Box Office 804-282-2620 www.va-rep.org On Stage Seating: As on Broadway, Virginia Rep will offer limited on stage seating for $5 through a lottery system 1 ½ hours before each show. Full Price Tickets: $41 - $44 UTix: $15 for high school and college students. Must call 282-2620 to reserve ticket and provide student ID at Box Office for pick up.

Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and select Wednesdays.

Direction & Design Direction CHASE KNIFFEN Choreography STARRENE FOSTER Music Direction SANDY DACUS Scenic Design BRIAN C. BARKER Lighting Design LYNNE M. HARTMAN+ Costume Design SARAH GRADY Sound Design DEREK DUMAIS Voice, Speech and Text Coach STACEY CABAJ Stage Management WENDY VANDERGRIFT

+Member of USA, United Scenic Artists’, local 829

Cast List Wendla……………………………………………….ALI THIBODEAU The Adult Women…………………………..………SUSAN SANFORD Martha………………………………….………………..GIGI GALIFFA Ilse………………………………………………..CHRISTIE JACKSON Anna………………………………………..……………….ERIN LONG Thea…………………………………………….…..ELIZABETH WYLD The Adult Men………………………………………..DANIEL MOORE Otto………………………………………...…………RICHARD CHAN Hanschen…………………………...... …………………DANIEL CIMO Ernst………………………………………..……………OWEN WINGO Georg………………………………………………………JOSH MARIN Moritz…………………………………………………....JOHN MINCKS Melchior…………………………………………..….OLIVER HOUSER Ensemble…………………………KYLE CORNELL, D.J. CUMMINGS, LUCY DACUS, ALLISON GILMAN The Band Conductor/ Keyboards Sandy Dacus Guitars Brian Harris Bass Glenn Harris Drums Mike Williams Cello Beth Almore Violin/ Guitar H. Drew Perkins Viola Kimberly Ryan

About Virginia Repertory Theatre Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia’s flagship professional theatre company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies and musicals as well as classics, contemporary works and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theatre to engage, enthrall, educate and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and Virginia Rep’s Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern.