"Pay as you Will" Performance of rock Musical "Spring Awakening" Friday 3/3 at Malonga Center, Oakland.

Henry Braff, Joel Braunstein, and Jack Melcher in Youth Musical Theater Company's Friday, March 3, 2017, performance of the musical "Spring Awakening" at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland will be a "Pay as you Will" show. YMTC offers one performance of each musical they present as a "Pay as you Will" show to encourage and invite people to attend live theater who might otherwise not choose to due to the cost of a ticket. Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office, cash only. The box office opens one hour before the Friday show at 6:30pm. Patrons who want reserved seating, can still purchase advance tickets at www.ymtcbayarea.org.
ABOUT THE MUSICAL
When adolescent love, sex, and rock and roll collide with the repressive, punishing culture of 19th century Germany, what can happen? The gritty, ground-breaking musical Spring Awakening tells the tale. Berkeley-based Youth Musical Theater Company (YMTC) presents this celebrated rock musical for one more weekend, March 3-5, 2017 at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts (1428 Alice St., Oakland).

In schools, churches, and homes of 1891 Germany, adults enforced a rigid moral code on children based on secrets and shame. In the midst of this oppressive culture, three teens, Wendla, Melchior, and Moritz, try to navigate their coming-of-age anxieties and experience their first tastes of love, despair, and rebellion. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening explores their journey from adolescence to adulthood.

The YMTC production features a cast of 19 talented and dedicated performing arts students (grades 9–12) from cities including Berkeley, Albany, Oakland, Piedmont, Castro Valley and Lafayette, mentored by professional directors, designers, and musicians. The production is co-directed by Jennifer Boesing and Simone Kertesz, with musical direction by Diana Lee and choreography by Janet Collard.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee begin at 2:00p.m. Tickets are available online at www.ymtcbayarea.org or at the door one hour before curtain. Ticket prices are $15–28, with discounts for students, seniors, military, teachers and groups. Information: 510-595-5514. Spring Awakening contains strong language and intense content not appropriate for younger children.

ABOUT YMTC
YMTC is dedicated to providing exceptional training to young theater artists through the production of exceptional musical theater. The organization brings together the Bay Area’s most talented and dedicated young singer/actors—as well as students of technical theater—with professional directors, designers, and musicians. They take on challenging and sophisticated musical and dramatic themes, and productions are always accompanied by a full, live orchestra.