Fresno State’s University Theatre will present the final show of its 2023/24 Mainstage Season, “Spring Awakening” book and lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, and directed by J. Daniel Herring.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. May 3 – 4 and 7 – 11 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the John W. Wright Theatre on campus. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military and $12 for all students. Children under 12 are not permitted. “Spring Awakening” contains explicit language, sexual situations, and scenes depicting violence and suicide and is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.
The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater through what “Entertainment Weekly” called “the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade,” “Spring Awakening” explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years.
In 1891 Germany, repressed adolescent students stumble into adulthood as clumsily as they do into each other’s arms. With obstinate parents unwilling to guide them, young Melchior and Wendla explore their desires for each other while Melchior’s dear friend Moritz fumbles dangerously through his own coming-of-age. This generation-defining musical is a rock anthem to all the “guilty ones,” poignantly exploring the dark, passionate, and twisting journey from adolescence to adulthood.
“The original 1891 play version of ‘Spring Awakening’ addressed timeless issues like sex education, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and sexual orientation, which remain relevant for our adolescent population in 2024,” says director J. Daniel Herring. “Despite their significance, these topics often remain taboo, leaving many young people to navigate them alone without proper guidance. In my staging of ‘Spring Awakening,’ I’m creating a stylized classroom setting using only chalkboards, symbolizing a restrictive world of rules and regulations that lacks essential life knowledge. This environment emphasizes the importance of addressing these crucial subjects both at home and in schools to empower young individuals in their journey toward adulthood.”
The production features performances from Joel C. Abels, Erin Brown, PJ Causing, Nico DiViccaro, German Gutierrez, Grant Hill, Amalie Larsen, Tyler Murphy, Emma Raymond, Mikayla Rockwell, Jenna Roza-Cabello, Brittany Smith, Diego Sosa, and Chloe Mae Tabor
Fresno State no longer requires masks to be worn indoors, but based on updated guidance from public health experts, the University highly recommends that all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, wear a surgical grade or KN95 mask indoors. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. Latecomers will not be permitted, and there are no refunds or exchanges. The box office is open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance, and it accepts cash, check, or credit card payments.
Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday night, parking permits are required and can be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus. For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 