Teenage Angst, Tragedy and Love On Stage At The Rio in Santa Cruz

The award-winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening takes over the Rio this March with a fresh and staggering cast of local up-and-coming actors and musicians from Santa Cruz’s All About Theater.

Set in late 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the compelling tale of what it is like to be a teenager transitioning into adulthood, full of all the misunderstanding, sexual repression and ignorance young adults experience.

This powerful pop-rock musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play explores the unforgettable excitement, desolation, and perplexity of adolescence.

As their hormones and desires arise, a cast of characters from all backgrounds face various moral dilemmas that deal with questioning authority, sexuality, and personal identity. With a groundbreaking score written by rock star Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, the play celebrates the rebellion, comedy, and sensuality almost all teenagers dream of, and provides a performance that expresses nothing but the truth.

This production ncludes a mature cast of young actors, many of whom are also students and graduates of  Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz.

“What is interesting about this production, and what sets it apart from others is that it probably closest resembles the Cabrillo Stage, and that everybody in the cast is highly, highly talented,” says director, Brad Roades, 53. “There’s at least a dozen [actors] who are Cabrillo Stage veterans or active veterans... and it’s a work of love for all of them.”

Roades, an acting and directing veteran for more than 40 years, says this musical, “...is a perfect example of post-modernism, where you take various elements of the past and put them together to create something interesting and beautiful.”

The actors were thrilled to be putting on a work of importance and youth.

“I think this production has a wealth of talent in it and the story is amazing,” says UCSC graduate Kelvyn Mitchell, 25, playing the role of Otto. “It has been one of my favorite plays since I first read it freshman year of college. And then the musical came out and I immediately fell in love. The story is just so accessible.”

Max Paradise, a 19-year-old Cabrillo student plays the role of  the naive and unsure Ernst Robel, says the show is a milestone that younger people will enjoy and it is one of the most important plays being produced today.

“Simply put, this is one of the most deeply affecting, tragic, and beautiful shows out there, and I can't think of anything more important for the theatrical world,” he says. "It's the rare show that tackles completely relevant concepts without being preachy or cheesy about them. This show breaks my heart with every rehearsal we do, but in the absolute best way.”

Spring Awakening will be playing for two weekends at the Rio Theater: March 8-9, and March 15-16 at 8 p.m. each night.

Ticket can be purchased online at http://www.allabouttheatre.org, or at the Rio Theater box office.

Advance Tickets: Students & Seniors $18.00 / General Admission $25.00
At the Door:  Students & Seniors $20.00 / General Admission $28.00

Viewer discretion is advised, as the show contains mature content in language and subject matter. For more information on Spring Awakening and All About Theater visit http://www.allabouttheatre.org.

Writer Jonny Clugstan and Photographer Kayla Cytron-Thaler are Cabrillo College journalism students being funded by a Rebele grant.