Middletown Man, North Kingstown Women Featured in URI Musical "Spring Awakening"

MIDDLETOWN, RI—It may be December here, but the University of Rhode Island is about to bring the curtain up on the musical "Spring Awakening," book and lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind.

URI student John Thomas Cunha, of Middletown, has the role of Hanschen. Abby Dufresne, of Saunderstown, and Ariana Pacheco of North Kingstown, will play Company.

According to the school, the Broadway production, which opened in 2006 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York, won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, four Drama Desk Awards and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award.

According to the press release, "Spring Awakening" is a celebration of youth and self-discovery that combines classic text and rock and roll. Following a group of 19th Century German teens as they grapple with sexuality, morality and rebellion with scandalous consequences in a world of unresponsive adults, "Spring Awakening" explodes the boundaries of musical theatre to reveal the touching and passionate journey of growing up. This production includes mature language and subject matter and is not recommended for children.

The show runs from Dec. 8 through De. 10 7:30 p.m. with an additional performance Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre in the URI Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road on the Kingston Campus.

Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $18 for seniors, URI faculty, staff and students. To purchase tickets online, visitweb.uri.edu/theatre, or call (401) 874-5843.

Professor Paula McGlasson, who recently directed "Legally Blonde" and "Chicago" directs the production. Musical direction is by Lila Kane, guest artist; choreography is by Dante Sciarra, guest artist; costume design is by Toni Spadafora-Sadler, guest artist; scenic design is by Kent Homchick, guest artist; lighting design is by Associate Professor Christian Wittwer; and sound design is by Michael Hyde, guest artist.

Photo Caption: Leftmost: Emily Carter, Scituate, Emma Walker, of Naples, Maine, Steven Carvalho, of Pawtucket, and Ben Church, of East Providence. Courtesy Photo by Randy Osga