Entitled Spring's Awakening, the drama will play the California venue through July 26. Evan Drane directs. The new translation, according to Powerhouse, "utilizes subtle but present contemporary dialogue, resulting in a clear enunciation of Wedekind's themes for modern audiences and aptly capturing his delicate mix of comedy and tragedy."

The cast features Luke Baily as Melchior, Nick McDow as Moritz, Eleanor Van Hest as Wendla, Jen Bailey as Ilse, Matthew Schueller as Ernst, Olivia Choate as Frau Gabor, Morgan Early as Frau Bergmann, David Hassett as Hans, Danika Sudik as Thea and Catherine Talton as Martha. Kyle Cadman and Issac Wade are also featured in the company.

Spring's Awakening, according to press notes, "follows the lives of three teenagers, Melchior, Moritz and Wendla, as they navigate their entry into sexual awareness."

In a statement director Drane said, "With the Tony Award-winning musical version coming to Los Angeles in the fall, we wanted to offer L.A. audiences the chance to experience the original, groundbreaking script in all its urgency."

Show times are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 PM.

The Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 2nd Street in south Santa Monica, just off Main Street between Rose and Marine. Tickets, priced $20, are available by calling (310) 396-3680, ext. 3 or by visiting www.latensemble.org.