FUSE Presents: Spring Awakening

Fuse Theater Company is proud to present Spring Awakening! The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, 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. Spring Awakening will run June 28-30th, at the SHAC (Suzanne Haskew Arts Center) in downtown Milford. Tickets available online at www.FuseTheaterCompany.com and at the door. Spring Awakening deals with mature content, viewer discretion is advised.

Spring Awakening marks new territory for FUSE, venturing away from their typical family friendly productions. But this was all done with a purpose. Karen Nave, FUSE Executive Director, said she knew it was time to start exploring new theatrical territory. “When we started looked at our season, I knew it was time to do something different. We have an amazing set of talented young adults who needed their own show (13) and my older members needed something they could really sink their teeth into as well. We keep making the joke, that both our shows this summer are coming of age stories, just told in VERY different ways!” The musical explores a lot of provocative ideas and in that context uses explicit language and explores sexual situations and adult themes. This isn’t your grandmother’s musical.

“It’s really not,” agrees Nave. “We’ve edited some things down from the Broadway version, but for the most part, it’s true to the original content. We really didn’t pull any punches. But I knew going in that was something we wanted to do. While I think family friendly theater is important and something we will always do – theater is also meant to provoke and illicit new ideas, spark conversation, and leave you changed at the end of the performance and that’s exactly what we hope will happen once you’ve seen Spring Awakening.”

Spring Awakening also marks a return to FUSE’s commitment to the next generation. Anna George and Noah Mills-Ross have taken over directing responsibilities for the show. “FUSE has always been really open to the idea of less experienced people taking the helm. I really wanted to direct this show and started talking to Karen about a year ago. She was really open to the idea and was happy to help with all the production details to get it going,” George said. Mills-Ross seconded that notion. “Karen has been a great resource when we’ve been stuck and I’ve learned a ton of the production side of theater as well.”

The show is also magnet for new talent. “We have a lot of returning faces, but it’s been great to add some new ones as well! And I have to say, while we’ve had a ton of talented folks in shows before, this one really stands out to me,” Nave commented. “I think I might say that after every show, but I’ve been lucky that it’s been true!”

Spring Awakening features talents from Highland, Milford, White Lake, West Bloomfield, Troy, Hartland, Commerce, and Novi. The show will also feature a live seven piece orchestra. Doors will open at 6:30pm with refreshments available next door at River’s Edge Brewing Company. The SHAC is located at 125 S Main St #700, Milford MI 48381. Performances run June 28 and 29, 2019 at 7pm and June 30, 2019 at 2pm, tickets are on sale at www.FuseTheaterCompany.com or at the door ($15, general admission). This show deals with provocative ideas through explicit language, sexual situations, and adult themes and may not be suitable for all ages. View discretion is advised.