Spring Awakening Will Put Audience in Middle of Action; Student Rush Also Offered

The offer is for "the truly adventurous theatregoer," according to the announcement.

Observers say the idea of putting the public on stage (in seating that flanks the action) underlines the musical's idea of the watchfulness of the community in the anxious musical drama about teenagers fumbling into adulthood.

The recent spring-summer Off-Broadway world premiere of Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Mayer and written by Duncan Sheik (music) and Steven Sater (book and lyrics), also offered onstage seating at the Atlantic Theater Company.

At Broadway's Eugene O'Neill, 25 seats priced at $31.25 will put playgoers in the heart of the experience (although there is no physical audience participation).

Theatregoers can purchase these unique seats in advance (at the box office only) but there are special requirements:

As members of the onstage audience, it is necessary to be seated before the show begins.

Since some of the show's action takes place throughout the seating area, the Spring Awakening company has purchased lockers backstage for the onstage theatergoers. These lockers will be for storage of personal items—large coats, bags, etc. which must be placed in the lockers prior to the start of the performance in order to keep the seating area and pathways clear. In addition to the discounted onstage seats at every performance, Spring Awakening will also have a Student Rush ticket policy on the day of performance, with those tickets priced at $25. Rush seats are available only at the box office.

Spring Awakening begins performances Nov. 16 at 8 PM at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th Street. Opening night is Dec. 10. Tickets are available through Telecharge (212) 239-6200) or online at www.springawakening.com.

Based on the expressionist drama by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening will feature Skylar Astin, Lilli Cooper, Christine Estabrook, John Gallagher, Jr., Gideon Glick, Jonathan Groff, Brian Charles Johnson, Lea Michele, Lauren Pritchard, Stephen Spinella, Phoebe Strole, Jonathan B. Wright and Remy Zaken. The ensemble includes Gerard Canonico, Jennifer Damiano, Robert Hager and Krysta Rodriguez.

The choreography is by Bill T. Jones; the design is by Christine Jones (scenic), Susan Hilferty (costume), Kevin Adams (lighting) and Brian Ronan (sound).

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