'Spring Awakening' opens Friday in Des Plaines

Posted July 27, 2014 11:00 pm

Submitted by ArtReach Educational Theatre

ArtReach Educational Theatre in partnership with Spotlite Theatrix Production Company is staging "Spring Awakening."

Book and lyrics are by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind.

Shows will be performed at The Leela Arts Center, 620 Lee St., in Des Plaines. Performances will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2; at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3. Tickets are $16 in advance, $18 at the door. For ticket information, call (630) 808-5852 or consult the website at www.artreachspotlite.com.

Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "Spring Awakening" is a rock musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play about the trails and tribulations, and the exhilaration of the teen years.

The production is directed by Dan Walsh and Jonah Parra, both of Chicago; musical direction by Jessica Texidor of Chicago; and choreographed by Dan Walsh of Chicago, Breton Spiller of Mount Prospect and Dylan DeWitt of Buffalo Grove.

The cast includes Kelsey Krigas of Fox River Grove as Wendla; Mitch Kedzior of Cary as Melchior; Madalyn Griseto of Des Plaines as Ilse; Erin Noll of Lake Zurich as Martha; Benjamin Golay of Chicago as Moritz; Kayla DeFrenza of Arlington Heights as Anna; Gabbi Jones of Arlington Heights as Thea; Justin Santostefano of Elgin as Otto; and Vinny Prisco of St. Charles as Hanz.

The mission of ArtReach Educational Theatre is to expose children to all aspects of theater, music and dance. ArtReach accepts any child, from beginner to advanced performing levels, with a genuine interest in the arts from age 5 through high school. All children are challenged and encouraged. ArtReach offers private voice lessons, dance and acting classes, advanced musical theater workshops and summer arts camp programs in Palatine.

For more information about ArtReach programs, taught by professional actors and teachers, call (847) 372-7798 or consult the website www.artreachspotlite.com.

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The cast of "Spring Awakening": Front row: Justin Santostefano of Elgin, Erin Noll of Lake Zurich, Kelsey Krigas of Fox River Grove, Mitch Kedzior of Cary, Benjamin Golay of Chicago and Gail Goodman of Palatine; second row: Kayla DeFranza of Arlington Heights, Elizabeth Sample of Elgin, Mia Melone of Barrington, Breton Spiller of Mount Prospect, Sammi Goodmanson of Arlington Heights, Vinny Prisco of St. Charles, Madalyn Griseto of Des Plaines and Gabbi Jones of Arlington Heights. Courtesy of ArtReach

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