Three Yorktowners to Perform in New York Regional Premiere of "Spring Awakening"

This weekend three Yorktown residents will perform in the New York regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, . 

Set in 1891 Germany, "Spring Awakening" focuses on a group of teenagers as they transition from adolescence to adulthood, discovering and exploring their minds, bodies and passions.

The regional premiere is a co-production of Harrison Summer Theater and the White Plains Performing Arts Center, and it's the first time it will be seen in the New York area since the original Broadway production premiered in Dec. 2006 and closed after 888 shows and 29 previews.

Jeremy Quinn, Yonkers resident and WPPAC producing artistic director, said he was happy to direct the show.

"The show us very important because it deals with issues we face today," Quinn said referring to teen pregnancy, parental abuse, teen suicide and bullying. "Every parent who has a [teen] should watch the show."

19-year-old Lauren Wagner, a Yorktown High School graduate who is now studying theatre performance at Wagner College, plays the lead role of Wendla. Her character is a young naive and innocent teen, who matures over the course of the show, a role much different from what she has played before. 

Wagner has numerous performances under her belt. She has starred in "Beauty and the Beast,” “Good News," and “Seussical,” just to name a few, and has worked at the  theater summer camp.

Yorktowners Sydney Parra and Veronica Decker are also perfoming in Spring Awakening. 

The original production, which won eight Tony Awards, launched the careers of Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff ("Glee") as well as White Plains native Jennifer Damiano (Tony Award nominee for Next to Normal). 

Spring Awakening features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. It will be musically directed by Stephen Ferri (of West Harrison) and choreographed by Lexie Frare (Valley Cottage). Quinn said he expects to bring audience members a quality regional production and have sold out performances. 

Performances are on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at the White Plains Performing Arts Center located on the 3rd floor of the White Plains City Center (Mamaroneck Avenue at Main Street). 

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students with ID and can be purchased by visiting www.wppac.com.