Decca Broadway set to release the original cast recording of Spring Awakening

By Patrick Luce Dec 7, 2006, 23:54 GMT

Based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 drama, Spring Awakening was originally considered scandalous as a coming-of-age tale involving sex, violence and suicide.

Decca Broadway is proud to release the Original Cast Recording of Spring Awakening - a beautiful, striking and thought-provoking musical written by Grammy nominated alt-rock singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik and playwright/lyricist Steven Sater.

Spring Awakening, a pop/rock musical which delves into the trials and tribulations of adolescence, officially opens on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on December 10th, with previews running November 16th through December 9th.  The Decca Broadway CD will be released December 12th.
 
Based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 drama, Spring Awakening was originally considered scandalous as a coming-of-age tale involving sex, violence and suicide.  Transcending generations, its themes are just as relevant today as the new production prepares for its Broadway opening, hot off the heels of its successful off-Broadway run.

Focusing on kids trying to break loose and adults trying to hold on, it’s the story of young people everywhere. The audience experiences the show through the eyes of three teenagers: the handsome rebel, the innocent woman-child, and the misunderstood loner. Variety noted “the provocative work retains its relevance and power to shock more than a century later.”
 
Spring Awakening’s powerful music is not the first collaboration between Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. Their writing partnership began when Sater asked Sheik to compose music for one of his plays, with Sater returning the favor by writing lyrics to Sheik’s acclaimed album, Phantom Moon. The duo are now energizing the musical theatre world with Spring Awakening, bringing their original, inspired songs to life on stage as well as on disc.

Delivered with raw emotion and honesty by its young cast, the songs are destined to win over audiences of all ages, with their undeniable hooks and infectious melodies. Spring Awakening’s music runs the gamut of emotions, from the angst-ridden “The Bitch of Living,” to the gentle, haunting ballads, “Mama Who Bore Me,” and “Song of Purple Summer.” A collection of songs not only for theatre lovers, Spring Awakening is a must-have recording for anyone who appreciates pop songwriting at its finest.
 
The original young cast returns to their Off Broadway created roles which premiered at the Atlantic Theater: Skylar Astin (Georg), Lilli Cooper (Martha), John Gallagher Jr. (Moritz), Gideon Glick (Ernst), Jonathan Groff (Melchior), Brian Johnson (Otto), Lea Michele (Wendla), Lauren Pritchard (Ilse), Phoebe Strole (Anna), Jonathan B. Wright (Hanschen) and Remy Zaken (Thea).

Tony Award-winner Stephen Spinella (Angels In America) has just joined the cast as the adult male lead with Christine Estabrook as the adult woman rounds out the cast.  The show also features Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Millie) and legendary choreographer Bill T. Jones with the producing team of Ira Pittleman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and the Atlantic Theater Company. 
 
Spring Awakening has already garnered critical praise and is sure to be one of the most talked about shows of the year. The New York Times stated that Spring Awakening was “Unforgettable! Bold, fun and inviting….” and the Associated Press called it “remarkable.”  Of the music, New York Magazine enthused; “Spring Awakening explodes in a burst of power pop” while USA Today thought the score “veers from haunting ballads to exuberant post-punk tirades.”

‘Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) is now available at Amazon. Visit the soundtrack database for more information and a complete track listing.