Gorgeous Music, Stirring Themes, mark Steel River's Season Opener - Spring Awakening Broadway Star to visit Opening Night

Rock music has become a staple on Broadway, and shows that once stirred controversy are now accepted for their strength of music and message. Spring Awakening, starting September 26th at Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown, joins the list of musicals using rock and folk music to address issues that are both universal and timeless.
Winner of 8 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), 4 Olivier Awards (including Best Musical), and 4 Drama Desk Awards, Spring Awakening is a cross-generational phenomenon that transcends age and cultural barriers. The show is a musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s controversial expressionistic play from 1891, about the trials, tribulations, and exhilaration of the teen years – issues that still resonate with teens and adults today. With a true indie-rock score, the music has been described as “the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade” (Entertainment Weekly). Spring Awakening is set in a late 19th century German village, and features contemporary, energetic and soulful music and choreography that bridges the gap between past and present. The story follows a group of teenage friends exploring their journey from adolescence to adulthood, facing love, societal roles, parent expectations, and missed opportunities for communication and understanding. Told with poignancy and passion, it’s a fast-paced, gripping celebration of youth and self-discovery in a world of unresponsive adults.
Broadway star, Christy Altomare, will be Steel River’s special guest for the official opening night of Spring Awakening on Friday, September 27th. Christy played the leading role of “Wendla” in the first National Tour of Spring Awakening, and spent the last year as the lead, “Sophie”, in Broadway’s mega hit Mama Mia. She is also known for the role of Carrie’s best friend, Sue Snell, in the recent Off-Broadway revival and soundtrack of the musical, Carrie. A graduate of the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Musical Theatre, Christy grew up in Bucks County, PA. This special evening will begin with a 7:00 pm pre-show discussion with Christy and the director of Spring Awakening, Dr. Bev Redman of Ursinus College (complete with autographs and photo-ops), and will continue after the performance with a talk-back with Christy and the Spring Awakening cast. Following the talk-back, Christy will sing musical selections, accompanied by Steel River’s Music Coordinator, Rich Lewis.
The Spring Awakening cast includes Maddie Aicher as Wendla (Pottstown), Madison Devlin as Martha (Boyertown), Casey Cloonan as Thea (Honey Brook), Dona Marie Pizzo as Anna (Eagleville), Kira Clements as Ilse (King of Prussia), Amanda Gray as Jennifer (Douglassville), Karissa Smith as Krista (Boyertown), Sami Kolb as Liesl (Spring City), Matt DeGaetano as Melchior (Downingtown), Andrew Patterson as Moritz (Coatesville), Robb Russ as Hanschen (Philadelphia), Zach Reynolds as Ernst (Jeffersonville), Mike Styer as Georg (Spring City), Andrew Pierce as Otto (Downingtown), AJ Sermarini as Gerard (Boyertown), Cory Taylor as Robert (Lansdale), and Aileen McCullough as Adult Woman (Morgantown). Neal Newman as Adult Man (Wayne) appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association.
The show is directed by Beverly Redman, Ph.D., Chair of the Theater and Dance Department at Ursinus College, and music directed by Deborah Stimson-Snow, Artistic Director for Steel River Playhouse.
Spring Awakening runs for three weekends only, Thursdays through Sundays, September 26th through October 13th. Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.steelriver.org and clicking on the ONLINE TICKETS button on the top right-hand corner of the screen. To contact the box office directly call 610-970-1199. Please note: Spring Awakening contains mature themes, sexual content, and adult language.

About Steel River Playhouse
Steel River Playhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable education and performance facility that seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Designated as a “gateway” performing arts center, Steel River provides affordable, high quality performances, comprehensive educational offerings, and enriching volunteer opportunities in all aspects of theatre arts. The organization embraces emerging and established artists, and supports community by serving as a magnet destination for economic development and a platform for shared experiences by diverse audiences. Students and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to explore and grow their skills by working side-by-side with professional instructors, performers, directors, and designers. More information is available at www.steelriver.org.