'Spring Awakening' Opens in Wyandotte

After months of anticipation and weeks of rehearsals, Wyandotte's AKT Theatre Project is about to embark on a new journey with the Friday night opening of Spring Awakening.

AKT was to secure the rights to perform the controversial musical that focuses on a group of teenagers coming to grips with their sexuality as they deal with touchy issues, including rape and child abuse.

"Spring Awakening is to this generation what RENT was 10 years ago,” AKT Artistic Director said. “This is the dream show."

Winner of eight Tony Awards, including "Best Musical," Spring Awakening celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, poignancy and passion that you will never forget, Ferrante said.

The musical, which is set in Germany, takes its inspiration from one of literature's most controversial masterpieces. The work was so daring in its depiction of teenage self-discovery that it was banned from the stage and not performed in its complete form in English for nearly 100 years.

Adapted from Frank Wedekind's 1891 play about the trials, tears and exhilaration of the teen years, it has been hailed as the "Best Musical of the Year" by a number of publications, including The New York Times.

Ferrante said she’s wanted to perform the show for years, but never imagined it would be made available so soon after recently performing on Broadway and touring the country. The tour ended May 15. Amateur performance licenses began being available on May 24. Less than 24 hours later, Ferrante got the green light to perform the show

“In the back of my mind, I would have killed to do the show, but I never thought it would be possible,” she said.

Ferrante warns that the show is rated "R" for good reason.

“It’s very explicit and controversial, but the messages are extremely important,” she said.

Because of the popularity of the production, Ferrante said, people from throughout the tri-county area auditioned and were cast.

"If you’ve supported AKT in the past, you will see some familiar faces, but many new ones as well," she said. "This eager and courageous cast and crew range from high school students to seasoned professionals. It is this unique collaboration that has sparked a sense of discovery and creativity that makes this production stand out."

Spring Awakening will be performed at the . Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Showtimes are 8 p.m. April 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28, and 2 p.m. April 15 and 22.

For more information, call 734-258-8370 or visit the company’s website.