Download Department of Musical Theatre Studio February 10

Department of Musical Theatre Studio
February 10 - 19, 2012 • Arthur Miller Theatre
The University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Department of Musical Theatre Studio presents
Book & lyrics by Steven Sater • Music by Duncan Sheik
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Orchestrations by Duncan Sheik • String Orchestrations by Simon Hale
Vocal Arrangements by AnnMarie Milazzo
Director
Music Director
Music Supervisor
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Choreographers
Stage Manager
Malcolm Tulip
Han Park
Lynne Shankel
Eli Schlatter
Meryl Waldo
Aaron Tacy
Mark Gordon
Sam Lips, Casey Low
Geehoon Lim
Spring Awakening is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International
(MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street,
New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
Original Broadway production produced by Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards,
Jerry Frankel, Atlantic Theater Company, Jeffrey Sine, Freddy DeMann, Max Cooper,
Mort Swinsky/Cindy and Jay Gutterman/Joe McGinnis/Judith Ann Abrams,
ZenDog Productions/CarJac Productions, Aron Bergson Productions/Jennifer Manocherian/Ted
Snowdon, Harold Thau/Terry Schnuck/Cold Spring Productions, Amanda Dubois/Elizabeth Eynon
Wetherell, Jennifer Maloney/Tamara Tunie/Joe Cilibrasi/StyleFour Productions
The world premiere of Spring Awakening was produced by the
Atlantic Theater Company by special arrangement with Tom Hulce & Ira Pittelman.
Latecomers will be seated at a suitable break. As a courtesy to others, please set cellular phones
and pagers to silent mode and refrain from texting during the performance. Photography,
audio recording and videotaping of any kind are not permitted.
Cast of Characters (in order of appearance)
Wendla......................................................................................................Erika Peterson
The Adult Women..................................................................................... Elisabeth Evans
Martha........................................................................................................ Ximone Rose
Ilse........................................................................................................ Charlotte Maltby
Anna..............................................................................................................Shea Renne
Thea..........................................................................................................Chelsea Burris
The Adult Men...................................................................................Zachary Thompson
Otto/Ulbrecht..............................................................................................Dylan Stasack
Hanschen/Rupert...........................................................................................Robert Ariza
Ernst/Reinhold........................................................................................... Mackenzie Orr
Georg/Dieter...................................................................................................Brian Flores
Moritz........................................................................................................ Ryan Vasquez
Melchior........................................................................................................Conor Ryan
Ensemble.................. Jordan Barrow, Woody Buck, Ellie Curran Fishman, Storm Lever
Orchestra
Conductor/Keyboards.......................................................................................... Han Park
Guitar......................................................................................................... Wonwoo Lee
Bass..................................................................................................................Will Hack
Drums................................................................................................. Daniel McDonald
Cello............................................................................. Mihaela Culjak, Travis Kulwicki
Violin/Viola............................................................................................... Karen Donato
Acknowledgments
Spring Awakening is a workshop production of the Department of Musical Theatre.
Special thanks to the Friends of Musical Theatre, University Productions, UMS/League
Ticket Office, and the Dept. of Theatre & Drama.
The performers in this production are undergraduate students pursuing a BFA in Musical
Theatre in the SMTD. The designers are undergraduate students and staff in the Dept.
of Theatre & Drama. Scenery, costumes, properties, sound, and lighting were realized by
the students and staff of University Productions, the producing unit of the SMTD. Ticket
sales assist in providing SMTD students with practical training experience before live
audiences. Thank you for supporting our educational mission.
Musical Numbers
Time/Place: The play is set in a provincial German town in the 1890s.
Spring Awakening will be performed with one intermission.
Act I
“Mama Who Bore Me”........................................................................................ Wendla
“Mama Who Bore Me” (Reprise)..............................................................................Girls
“All That’s Known”.............................................................................................Melchior
“The Bitch of Living”........................................................................... Moritz with Boys
“My Junk”.................................................................................................Girls and Boys
“Touch Me”..............................................................................................Boys and Girls
“The Word of Your Body”................................................................... Wendla, Melchior
“The Dark I Know Well”............................................................. Martha, Ilse, Ensemble
“The Word of Your Body” (Reprise)............................................................ Otto, George
“And Then There Were None”.............................................................. Moritz with Boys
“The Mirror-Blue Night”...................................................................Melchior with Boys
“I Believe”.................................................................................................Boys and Girls
ACT II
“The Guilty Ones”............................................. Wendla, Melchior with Boys and Girls
“Don’t Do Sadness” / “Blue Wind”.................................................................Moritz, Ilse
“Left Behind”.....................................................................................................Melchior
“Totally Fucked”............................................................... Melchior with Full Company
“The Word of Your Body” (Reprise)..................... Hanschen, Ernst with Boys and Girls
“Whispering”...................................................................................... Wendla, Melchior
“Those You’ve Known”........................................................... Moritz, Wendla, Melchior
“The Song of Purple Summer”.................................................................. Full Company
About the Play
1891 to 2012: The Journey of Spring Awakening
When Spring Awakening premiered on Broadway in 2006, it was called “a straight
shot of eroticism,” “breathtakingly outrageously brilliant,” and “electrifying.” Reviews
insisted that this pop-rock musical would change the Broadway musical forever, adding a
level of sexual intensity never seen before. With the sexual nature of the show, naturally,
controversy followed close behind. As the show gained a cult teen following, parents began
to take notice. The musical opened doors to teenage sexuality, confusion, and depression.
The themes and images that drew a teenage audience are exactly the themes and images
that compelled certain adults to spurn the show. What these critics may not have realized
was how well they were following the example set by their predecessors.
Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s musical is adapted from
German dramatist Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play of the same name.
Interestingly, the source material is even more controversial and
in your face than its contemporary counterpart. In the play, there
is date rape. The musical transforms that act to what reviews have
referred to as “simple” or even “boring” consensual sex. The older
generation is even harsher in the play. They are not given the
redeeming qualities of mourning and regret that are seen in the
musical. And suicide, which the musical boldly tackles and warns
Frank Wedekind, 1883
against in the final scenes, is glorified by its victim in the play.
For these reasons and many more, Wedekind’s play was only performed twice during
his lifetime, once in Germany and once in America. It took Wedekind fifteen years to
get the play produced at all, and even then it did not reach a broad audience. Each of
the runs in the early 20th century only lasted a handful of performances before being
banned for “pornographic content.” There was
renewed interest in the daring and somewhat
mythically edgy play in England in the 1960s, but
Wedekind was still too far ahead of his time. One
of the performances was shut down immediately,
and the second attempt was halted before even
entering a theatre.
It wasn’t until 1995, over 100 years after
Wedekind first wrote the expressionist teenage
English Premiere, New York City, 1917
sexual coming-of-age story, that Spring Awakening
was given the English adaptation and subsequent production it deserved. The Royal
Shakespeare Company commissioned English playwright Ted Hughes to do an adaptation
of the work. From this adaptation, that retained Wedekind’s original revolutionary ideas
and did not censor some of the grittier scenes as previous adaptations had, the public was
again able to delve into the haunting teenage psyche. In this newest adaptation with a poprock score, Sater and Sheik found another way to demonstrate the plays themes, exposing
the inner monologues of these tortured teens.
— Aislinn Frantz, Dramaturg
About the Authors
Steven Sater (Book and Lyrics) was awarded the 2007 Tony Awards for Best Book of a
Musical and Best Original Score for Spring Awakening along with the Drama Desk and
Outer Critic Circle Awards for Best Lyrics. With alt-rocker Duncan Sheik, he received the
2007 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album for Spring Awakening. In addition,
the two received The Dramatists Guild Hull-Warriner Award, the Outer Critics Circle,
the Drama Desk, the Lucille Lortel, New York Drama Critics’ Circle, and Drama League
Awards for Best Musical. Steven is the author of numerous plays, including the long-running
Carbondale Dreams, Perfect for You, Doll (the Rosenthal Prize, Cincinnati Playhouse);
Umbrage (Steppenwolf New Play Prize); A Footnote to the Iliad (New York Stage and Film, The
Miniature Theatre of Chester); Asylum (Naked Angels); Murder at the Gates (commissioned
by Eye of the Storm); In Search of Lost Wings (Sanford Meisner Theater) and a re-conceived
version of Shakespeare’s Tempest, with music by Laurie Anderson, which played London’s
Lyric Hammersmith and toured throughout Great Britain. In addition to Spring Awakening,
Sater has collaborated with Sheik on the NY premiere of Umbrage (HERE), Nero (The
Magic Theatre, workshopped at the New York Shakespeare Festival and New York Stage &
Film), and The Nightingale (workshopped at the O’Neill Musical Theatre Conference, La
Jolla Playhouse, A.C.T., and New York Theater Workshop). He is also hard at work with
System of a Down’s Serj Tankian on a musical version of Prometheus Bound, to be directed
by Diane Paulus at the American Repertory Theater. Sater is the lyricist for Sheik’s critically
acclaimed album Phantom Moon (Nonesuch), and together the two wrote the songs for
Michael Mayer’s feature film A Home at the End of the World (Warner Classics) as well as the
independent features Brother’s Shadow and Mary Stuart Masterson’s The Cake Eaters. Sater
is also co-creator and executive producer, with Paul Reiser, of recent pilots for both NBC
and Sony/FX, and has developed two projects for HBO, and another for Showtime (with
Reiser). He is also at work, with Jessie Nelson, on a feature film and is creating an original
movie musical for producer Larry Mark. In addition, Sater works as a lyricist with various
composers in the pop/rock world — recently writing songs with Burt Bacharach, Johnny
Mandel, Andreas Carlsson, and William Joseph.
Duncan Sheik (Music) In addition to writing the music for Spring Awakening (2007
Tony Awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score, 2008 Grammy Award for
Best Musical Show Album), Sheik’s other theater credits include: Nero (Another Golden
Rome) (currently in development), The Nightingale (currently in development), Whisper
House (currently in development). Recorded works include: Whisper House (Sony/Victor
2009), White Limousine (Rounder 2006), Daylight (Atlantic Records 2002), Phantom
Moon (Nonesuch 2001), Humming (Atlantic Records 1998), Duncan Sheik (Grammy
Nomination, Best Male Vocal) (Atlantic Records 1996). Film Scores include: DARE
(2009), Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (2008), Capers (2007) and The Cake Eaters
(2007). Producer Credits include: Holly Brook (2009), Micah Green (2008), Spring
Awakening Original Cast Album (Universal 2007) and Chris Garneau (2006).
AnnMarie Milazzo (Vocal Arrangements) Composer/lyricist: Pretty Dead Girl, Sundance
Film Festival. Vocal arranger: Broadway productions of Spring Awakening and Next To
About the Authors
Normal. Bright Lights, Big City at The New York Theater Workshop, and the Paramount
feature film, The Marc Pease Experience. AnnMarie is a Grammy nominated singer from
The East Village Opera Company on Universal/Decca.
Simon Hale (String Orchestrations) After graduating from the University of London with
an honors degree in composition, Simon Hale’s acclaimed solo album, East Fifteen, led to
recordings with many artists, including George Benson, Simply Red, Jamiroquai and Björk.
In 1996 he orchestrated Duncan Sheik’s first album, and their musical collaboration has
continued ever since. Simon’s involvement with Spring Awakening marked his Broadway debut
and the Tony Award for Best Orchestrations in 2007. He continues to work with Steven Sater
and Duncan Sheik on other projects. For more information: www. simonhale.co.uk About the Cast
Robert Ariza (Hanschen/Rupert) sophomore, Richmond Hill, NY
Jordan Barrow (Ensemble) junior, Flanders, NJ
Woody Buck (Ensemble) first-year, La Canada, CA
Chelsea Burris (Thea) junior, Madison, WI
Elisabeth Evans (Adult Women) junior, Tokyo, Japan
Ellie Curran Fishman (Ensemble) first-year, Pennington, NJ
Brian Flores (Georg/Dieter) first-year, Boulder, CO
Storm Lever (Ensemble) first-year, Concord, CA
Charlotte Maltby (Ilse) first-year, New York, NY
Mackenzie Orr (Ernst/Reinhold) first-year, Coppell, TX
Erika Peterson (Wendla) junior, Laguna Niguel, CA
Shea Renne (Anna) sophomore, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Ximone Rose (Martha) first-year, New Orleans, LA
Conor Ryan (Melchior) sophomore, Newport, RI
Dylan Stasack (Otto/Ulbrecht) first-year, Eugene, OR
Zachary Thompson (Adult Men) sophomore, San Leandro, CA
Ryan Vasquez (Moritz) sophomore, San Jose, CA
About the Artists
Geehoon Lim (Stage Manager) junior, BFA Design & Production, Seoul, South Korea
Sam Lips (Choreographer) senior, BFA Musical Theatre, Parker, CO
Casey Low (Choreographer) senior, BFA Musical Theatre, Edmond, OK
H an Park (Music Director) senior, BFA Musical Theatre, Boston, MA
Eli Schlatter (Scenic Designer) junior, BFA Design & Production, Minneapolis, MN
Lynne Shankel (Music Supervisor) Guest Artist, New York, NY
A aron Tacy (Lighting Designer) sophomore, BFA Design & Production, Wixom, MI
M alcolm Tulip (Director) Asst. Professor, Dept. of Theatre & Drama
Meryl Waldo (Costume Designer) senior, BFA Design & Production, Northville, MI
Christopher Kendall, Dean
Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music
Department of Musical Theatre
Chair....................................................................Brent Wagner
Admin. Assistants.......................... Jennifer Knapp, Tim Abbott
Student Services.............................................Becky Seauvageau
Faculty...............................................Catherine Walker Adams,
Mark Esposito, Linda Goodrich, Mark Madama,
Lisa Mayer, Sara Randazzo, Cynthia Kortman Westphal
Professor Emeritus..................................................Jerry DePuit
University Productions
Administrative Staff
Director.................................................................Jeffrey Kuras
Department Administrator.............................. Fatima Abdullah
Office Assistant III/Usher Coordinator..................Shelda Smith
Marketing & Communications Dir............. Kerianne M. Tupac
Photographer..................................... Peter Smith Photography
Information Systems Manager.......................... Henry Reynolds
Facilities Manager.................................................Shannon Rice
House Manager............................................. Dianne Widzinski
Senior Backstage Operations Mgr...........................Barry LaRue
Backstage Operations Mgrs..........Mark Gordon, David Pickell,
Kurt Thoma, Donald C. Watkins
Administrative Office Assistants.. Allison Brown, Abrielle Case,
Sara Shvartzman, Kevin Tan
Theatre 386 ....Lindsay Alexis, Jason Kovacs, Meaghan McLaughlin
Production Staff
Music Advisor.....................................Catherine Walker Adams
Production Manager......................................Amanda Mengden
Production Stage Manager................................... Nancy Uffner
Production Office Assistants...... David Lee, Brandon Penberton
Production Office Practicum............................ Kathryn Pamula
Properties Master.................................................Arthur Ridley
Asst. Properties Master.........................................Patrick Drone
Master Electrician............................................Mark Allen Berg
Costume Shop Manager.......................................Laura Brinker
Assoc. Costume Shop Manager........................... George Bacon
Costume Stock Administrator............................... Renae Skoog
Production Crew
First Assistant Stage Manager................................ Brita Thorne
Assistant Stage Managers..............Elisabeth Frankel, Lily Parker
Assistant Directors................................ Ellie Kirn, Jason Kovacs
Dramaturg.......................................................... Aislinn Frantz
Asst. Costume Designer/Wig & Makeup Designer.....Alyssa Battersby
Assistant Costume Designer..................................... Ben Stange
Dance Captains.............................. Mackenzie Orr, Shea Renne
Running Crew
Light Board Operator.............................................. Leslie Bates
Sound Board Operator..............................................Jane Bruce
Wardrobe................................................. Travis Ward-Osborne
Lyrics by Fred Ebb • Music by John Kander • Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Department of Musical Theatre
Directed and choreographed by Linda Goodrich
Music Direction by Cynthia Kortman-Westphal
April 12 at 7:30 PM • April 13 & 14 at 8 PM • April 15 at 2 PM
Power Center • Reserved Seating $26 and $20 • Students $10 with ID
League Ticket Office • (734) 764-2538 • tickets.music.umich.edu